Professional development workshops have been used over the past few decades to help train teachers to become “better” teachers.  However, not all teachers feel that these professional development sessions have been meaningful or career altering.  Take a look at some of the top things teachers really want to experience in professional development workshops.

A Voice

When it comes to professional development workshops, teachers express that they want their voice to be heard.  They want school administrators and the individuals running the professional development workshops to listen to them about what they really need to learn in order to better serve their students.

Practicality, Not Theoretical

Oftentimes, professional development workshops focus more on theoretical and hypothetical ideas, rather than on practicality.   However, teachers want information that goes beyond the books. They want to learn actual things that they can do in the classroom, and learn how these practices connect with the “book knowledge” that they already have.

Relevancy

Relevancy is also another important issue that teachers struggle to experience in professional development workshops.  Teachers would like to focus on issues that are relevant to their student body, so that they can help their students succeed in academics and life.  Relevancy should also include language, cultural and socio-economic parameters as well.

Professional Development Workshops

Overall, when it comes to professional development workshops, the number one thing that teachers want to accomplish is to become better teachers.  They want to enhance their teaching ability by learning new skills and pedagogy that can be used in the classroom. The Latino Literacy Project offers professional development workshops for teachers who specifically work with English Language Learner  (ELL) students.  These workshops offer innovative teaching techniques and practices so that they can help ELL students feel comfortable in the classroom, in turn, encouraging these students to do well in school.

Click here to see what teachers say about The Latino Family Literacy Project