CPD Team

Thanks to everyone who has been spreading the word about CPDStepin, the new GLOW group for supply teachers and unemployed teachers, and a big welcome to those who have already become part of the group. If you’d like to join in, but haven’t yet done so, then find out how here.

I was very pleased to do a Hot Seat for the CPDStepin community earlier this week, and really enjoyed talking to those who logged in. It was a small number, but the quality was immense!

From that conversation, it seems there is a problem for many supply/unemployed teachers in accessing support for their Professional Review and Development.  In an ideal world this should be part of an evolving relationship based on good personal knowledge of the teacher’s qualities, skills and priorities. This of course is very difficult when you are offered a number of short contracts in a wide range of schools.

So, if you are in this situation, what can you do?

• “Own” the problem yourself. It is very unlikely that anyone will knock on your door offering PRD, so you’re going to have to try to find ways to track it down yourself
• Do your best to identify a “host” school – somewhere you will be welcomed by the staff and given permission to join in school activities such as In-Service etc.  Use personal contacts, old college friends, long-lost relatives. If this doesn’t work, then contact your authority CPD manager and ask if they can help. Details of who these managers are can be found on CPDScotland.
• If this strategy works, you may still have a problem finding someone in the school who will give the necessary time commitment to support your professional learning. You might start with the  Probation Manager, or any colleague who you find has coaching experience.
• If none of these strategies work, don’t give up. Get together with a local colleague on CPDStepin, and arrange some peer review.

If you have any other strategies that have worked for you, please share them on CPDStepin!

There is more information on CPD for Supply/Unemployed teachers in the guidance issued by the team last year.

Categories: CPD Scotland, PRD, cpdstepin, supply