District 54 staff kick off summer by returning for learning opportunities

Hundreds of District 54 staff returned to school in June to take part in professional development opportunities in order to better serve their students in 2018-19.

Nearly 800 District 54 staff took part in the district's eighth annual Professional Development Symposium held on June 5 for junior high staff and June 6 and 7 for elementary school staff at District 54's Professional Learning Center. This year more than 70 different sessions were offered with a goal of improving practices to better support the needs of all students. All sessions were led by District 54 staff members.

Each day after a keynote by Superintendent Andy DuRoss, teachers chose multiple sessions to attend on a variety of topics including digital learning, Makerspaces, innovative classroom arrangements, literacy, math, science, social-emotional learning and happiness.

"The Symposium is one of the best forms of professional development because it is done by District 54 teachers, for District 54 teachers," said Erin Knoll, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. "To witness over 800 teachers come together to learn and grow from one another, in the summer nonetheless, is just inspiring. The event was truly a tremendous three days of learning."

The following week, more than 300 District 54 staff members participated in planning classes, working with district-level coaches to plan instruction for the coming year in literacy, math, Quantum Learning, social-emotional learning, science, social studies, FUSE and Creation Studio/Makerspaces.

Additional planning sessions will be held July 30 through August 3 so staff are ready to fulfill the promise of ensuring the academic success and social-emotional well-being of all students.