Professional Growth and Development

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Professional Growth and Development resides in the Department of Human Resource Services. The department’s work is to maintain an optimal learning environment and uphold standards to support staff development for all members of the school system community: administrators, teachers, counselors, teacher assistants, transportation personnel, safety and security personnel, facilities staff, support staff, and parent advisory groups.

Support for new teachers, mentors, and National Board Certification candidates is paramount while system initiatives such as school reform and curricula improvement are outlined and discussed. The department supports training with technology (online registration, wireless computers), houses a technology lab, and consults with individuals and schools on staff development plans, programs, and licensure requirements. Student achievement is supported through work with the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and assistance with school system events, such as the Administrative Retreat and Graduation, is provided.

Programs

HOUSSE

The North Carolina High Objective Uniform State Standard for Evaluation is a way to establish that a certified teacher is “highly qualified” according to the No Child Left Behind legislation. Through HOUSSE, individuals with a clear NC license who have been teaching out-of-field in a core subject area for a minimum of three years, at least one of which is in NC, may be issued a clear license in that subject area if they pass a HOUSSE evaluation administered by the school system.

1. Ten-day Orientation for lateral entry teachers is designed and supervised.
2. Continuing opportunities for teacher assistants to meet No Child Left Behind requirements are provided.

Facilitative Leadership

A three-day program designed to enhance leadership skills, this program is designated for administrators and teacher leaders. Participants gain skill in sharing an inspiring vision; focusing on results, process, and relationships; seeking maximum appropriate involvement; modeling behaviors that facilitate collaboration; designing pathways to action; bringing out the best in others; and celebrating accomplishments.

Working on the Work

The business of Durham Public Schools is, to use the words of Dr. Phil Schlechty, “to provide students with challenging tasks that they will do because they find these tasks to be meaningful, challenging, and satisfying to themselves and others. These tasks and activities must be designed in such a way that students will not only engage in the tasks assigned, but they will also persist with these tasks when they experience difficulty. Finally (delete space), doing the tasks assigned must produce in students a sense of accomplishment and pride, for it is pride more than any other factor that leads to pursuit of high standards.” Programs on Working on the Work help staff understand how to shape their work and (delete) efforts to create this work for students.

Leadership and facilitation for specially designed school and department retreats is available.

Important Dates

• January - DPS National Board Candidates’ Retreat HOUSSE General information Sessions
• February/March - Online Annual Application for Accreditation for SACS
• May - Graduation
• July - New Teacher Orientation for Year Round Schools
• August - Administrative Retreat, New Teacher Orientation for Traditional Calendar Schools