Page 47 - EdViewptsSpring2021

success. Through systemic planning in authentic learning opportunities
and implementation, we have enabling them to make meaningful In the 21st Century,
focused on a multi-year professional contributions to the world. The change is happening
development plan that ties directly into acknowledgement that technology has
our district and building goals. moved faster than pedagogy must be faster in the outside sec-
Professional development is necessary the driving force for administrators in tor than in the field of
in fostering growth, not only in the art setting long-term goals and choosing education, we are pre-
and science of teaching, but also in timely and relevant professional paring students for ca-
developing teacher leadership and development.
expanding passion for education. The With the creation of the West PD reers that may not even
most effective teachers are also those Academy our staff has benefited exist. These changes
who see themselves as learners. Once from additional days of professional
educators recognize that they have learning, where an entire department are forcing the need for
not learned all there is to know just works with leaders in the field of educators to continually
yet the door is wide open to continue education in targeted PD of their learn and grow.
to learn and grow. It is impossible to choosing. We brought in authors
teach digital natives and 21st Century from Solution Tree to support our
learners using a 19th Century model. staff in mathematics, English and to support our work in culturally
proficient practices, neuroscience and
Our system has evolved from one that social studies to provide relevant and learning, trauma informed classrooms,
focused on religion, family, and virtues recent pedagogical strategies and Restorative Practices, and 21st
in the 1600s, to one that celebrates the information. Our math teachers spent century learning and teaching.
progression of learning. Introduced by two days of training with author Erhan
John Dewey in the 1880s the idea of Selcuk Haciomeroglu working to We always hear teachers are our best
a progressive education, educates the unpack Making Sense of Mathematics resource and through our focused and
child to reach their fullest potential, not for Teaching High School: The TQE intentional professional development
just by learning facts, but by being able Process. Fundamentally, this work we have been able to provide a staff
to participate in a democratic society. forced our staff to view mathematics who run the gamut of several months
This philosophy became widespread from the perspective of both a teacher of experience to those who are
throughout the United States in the and student. Using techniques where close to the end of their careers and
1930s and is still fundamental in they processed tasks, questions, and everything in-between a layered and
education today. Since the beginning of evidence, the staff were able to focus articulated plan for our expectations
public education, the needs and ideals on what makes mathematics difficult for ongoing professional growth. Our
of society have determined what is for students and explore avenues to professional meetings are also run
most important in educating its citizens help them overcome the barriers to in a workshop format as a way for
and gradually those needs change. In their learning. our staff to practice new pedagogical
the 21st Century, change is happening Our English and social studies strategies and develop tools for their
faster in the outside sector than in the teachers worked with Kathy Tuchman classrooms. As time is essential,
field of education, we are preparing Glass, author of The New Art and we also incorporate collaboration
students for careers that may not even Science of Teaching Writing to provide and reflection as part of each of our
exist. These changes are forcing the foundational work for both disciplines meeting agendas. You will find an
need for educators to continually learn to enhance writing skills to meet opening in the form of a SEL practice,
and grow. the requirements of a 21st Century an activity in the form of a problem-
“The term “21st-century skills” is learner. With the coordination of both based learning example, and an
exit ticket in the format of a blended
generally used to refer to the core departments receiving this workshop learning template. It is evident that
competencies: collaboration, digital cross content connections were as educators we have committed
literacy, critical thinking, and problem- established and students received to lifelong learning. At Cherry Hill
solving that advocates believe schools lessons and feedback in the same way High School West, we have created
need to teach to help students in both disciplines, thus helping them a means to provide our staff these
thrive in today’s world. In a broader strengthen their writing. We partnered opportunities above and beyond what
sense, however, the idea of what with Rowan University where their we have been afforded in our in-
learning in the 21st century should department chairs brought our world service time. We all have a passion
look like is open to interpretation— language teachers recent work in for learning and teaching, it is our
and controversy”. (Rich, 2010) global learning, and our counselors responsibility to continue to cultivate
According to Boss (2019), the 4 C’s: and guidance staff received updated this for our entire learning community.
communication, collaboration, critical training in working with students
thinking, and creativity allow educators struggling with anxiety and school
to move away from the textbook avoidance issues. We have continued
and provide real-world scenarios with our West PD Academy and
that require students to participate have incorporated additional experts

Educational Viewpoints -45- Spring 2021