Whether it’s inspired by the global pandemic or just a desire for vocational mastery, professional development is a hot topic for teachers and schools alike. On one hand, schools seek to employ, produce, and retain top-quality teachers in an effort to increase institutional value. On the other, teachers often seek ways to become the best instructors possible, as well as position themselves as more competitive candidates for top employment vacancies.
his mutually beneficial concept of professional development makes even more sense when you realize that top-tier teachers create better learning outcomes for their respective students like test scores, GPAs, and even attendance. The better a school scores in these kinds of areas, the more reputable and desirable a school becomes, increasing its value. Similarly, the more students an institution can produce with the tools needed to be successful after graduation —and a favorable feeling towards their school—the more likely they are to have influential alumni and donors.
Now, as you might expect, there is a limit to these “top quality” teachers. What’s more, there’s a limit on teachers in general. Considering the fact that 42% of all teachers in a 2021 study considered leaving the industry or flat-out retiring in the last 12 months, the need for well-rounded and fully-committed instructors is as pressing as it has ever been for educational decision-makers. This void also means that in one way or another, schools are having to invest to get well-developed teachers, either by paying a higher salary for someone upfront or by providing career development opportunities for those with less impressive resumes after they are hired. That being said, XR Technologies is here to help fill the gap. A teacher shortage doesn’t have to mean getting underqualified teachers for tough subjects. We can help connect schools with highly qualified professionals.
Back to professional development though, since it is so mutually beneficial, it begs the question: what does it really look like? What is professional development for teachers? What are examples of professional development for teachers? And, what is the best professional development for teachers? We take a look at these questions and more in the following blog.
