Staff Development  

            Webster defines development as “a stage in growth, advancement; an event or happening; a thing that is being developed.”  This definition suggests that staff development is an event, something that happens.  It is a change in a positive direction bringing growth and advancement.  It is brought about with careful planning.  And its impact can be readily perceived.  Examples of staff development activities that have fostered change are training programs that include direct instruction, follow-up and support; study groups, peer coaching, modeling, learning by doing, to name just a few.  Since each staff member is a unique individual, in order to satisfy our definition of development, these activities must be constructed strategically and with diversity to offer choice and meaningful experiences for all involved.  The evidence of our success will be the positive, measurable change in the individual members of our staff.