Maximize Professional Development Using the CLASS Discussion Toolkit

Have you ever heard educators say they have too much time on their hands?

Me neither!

With limited time and resources, the CLASS Discussion Toolkit helps coaches and PD providers make the most of their face-to-face time with teachers—and it also supports teacher-teacher discussions that build professional learning communities. The Toolkit is available for infant/toddler and pre-K/K-3 settings. Want to know more? Check out this video that explains how to make the most of the CLASS Discussion Toolkit.

Below are five tips on how to use the toolkit effectively and efficiently!

• Save Time: Ask teachers to watch specific videos beforehand, bringing their notes to discussion sessions to save valuable meeting time.
• Provide Choices: Let teachers choose a specific dimension and aligning videos to discuss.
• Create Action Plans: At the end of each session, encourage teachers to record one or two new strategies they plan to try out to improve their interactions within a dimension.
• Open with Reflection: After creating an action plan, ask teachers to open subsequent discussions or conferences by reflecting on their successes and challenges in trying out a new strategy.
• Make It Fun!Get creative as you try out new ways to engage teachers in videos and discussions. For example, you might show a video and ask teachers to guess the featured dimension. Or, let a teacher “show what they know” by encouraging them to facilitate the discussion of a new dimension. 

We want to hear from you! Share your tips and tricks for encouraging stimulating conversations with the teachers you support in the comments below!