“Oh, no! Another professional development day! Who will supervise my child?”

This comment rings in the break room in local business offices, across kitchen tables, and through grocery store aisles.

You as a parent expect your child to be in school and rely on schools not only for educating them, but also for providing a safe and dependable place for students to be each day.

An early release day or a day of professional development causes troubles to families and even employers, and is a logistic challenge.

When asked what they want for their children, parents overwhelmingly agree that they want the best teacher possible in every classroom. Research confirms that the most important factor contributing to a student’s success in school is the quality of teaching. While parents may not be familiar with the research, they are united in their desire to ensure great teaching for every child every day.

For us, the teachers of Anton Bruckner International School, professional development is the most effective strategy to meet this expectation. Professional development is the strategy we use to ensure that our teachers continue to strengthen their practice throughout their career. The most effective professional development engages our team of teachers to focus on the needs of their students. We learn and problem solve together in order to ensure all students achieve success.

When time set aside for professional development is used effectively, you will realize the benefits to teachers and your child far outweigh the scheduling inconvenience.