Professional Development

The first year for any teacher new to a school, or to the profession, is challenging, and teachers should anticipate long hours and intense effort. Candidates for Teach California Charters are chosen for their ability to solve problems creatively and independently—an important factor in their success.

If selected and hired by a charter school, teachers will be exposed to seminars and workshops on essential topics such as successful teaching techniques, curriculum, standards, and classroom management, among others. Both new and experienced teachers will participate in discussions and activities focused on the challenges and benefits of teaching in a diverse and rigorous educational setting.

Throughout the school year, participants will also be given access to additional professional development activities that are focused on specific classroom or instructional topics.

Teachers often develop a strong, ongoing support network within their schools. Although every situation is different, there may be opportunities to collaborate with co-teachers at school, district instructional specialists, assistant principals, principals or a grade- or subject-level team. Teachers can draw on these connections as a resource for planning, reflection, and shared encouragement as they strive for excellence in their individual classrooms.

Examples of the professional development our partner schools offer include the following:

Alliance for College Ready Public Schools conducts a two week training prior to opening the school year.  Additionally, teachers work in collaborative teams, and benefit from a partnership with the UCLA School Management Program.

Aspire Schools offer daily support for newer teachers from a “lead teacher.”  They also hold a paid three week summer training and offer financial assistance to those who wish to take additional coursework, pay off student loans, or pursue National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.

Green Dot Schools have staff retreat days in addition to staff development days.  They also hold annual conferences. Comprehensive professional development is delivered to principals and teachers to ensure that they make effective decisions related to instruction and management.

KIPP Schools conduct a one-to-two week professional development session at the beginning of the year.  In addition, there are two yearly conferences and a summer School Summit, which brings together teachers, school leaders, and other stakeholders across the KIPP network.

Leadership Public Schools offer fifteen professional development days per year on top of their weekly professional development and collaboration times.