JVES: Bird University
Building a Professional Learning Culture Since 2014
Joppa View Elementary Professional Learning Vision
Highly effective instruction is characterized by the way learning is customized and personalized to meet the various needs of all students. The same can be said for adult professional learning within a school building. Differentiating, ownership, and providing choice for professional learning allows faculty and staff within a school to grow in a manner that is beneficial and meaningful to them, and ultimately what is best for their students.
Bird University Mission
Faculty and staff at Joppa View ES will choose from several professional LEARNING opportunities to complete throughout the year that will meet their professional learning needs and goals, as well as the needs and goals of the school. The learning opportunities are aligned with the Joppa View School Progress Plan and the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching and Learning. These learning opportunities will encourage collaboration and reflective practices to improve classroom instruction for students.
the WHY
Based on Adult Learning Theories and Research
- To be effective, adult learning should be built on ownership, appropriateness, structure, collaboration, internalization, reflection, and motivation (Langer & Applebee,1986).
- Adult learning is more self-directed…the impetus for learning is to share information, to generate one's own need for learning (Principals of Adult Learning Dalellew and Martinez 1988)
- Adults seek knowledge that applies to their current situation (Dalellew and Martinez 1988)
- We are professionals. Think of a surgeon. For a surgeon to be the best they can be they have to be on the cutting edge of their practice with the best and newest tools, based on research, so that they can be the best surgeon. The same is true of teachers (Murphy 2016)
Professional Learning Opportunity Options
Choose from a combination of the following BU Courses.
15 BU Credits will earn you 1 CPD credit that will go toward your
MSDE teacher certification renewal.
Think of how much professional learning, growth, and goal setting
can be done through Bird University.
Descriptions are below.
- Lessons in the Spotlight (recording a model lesson to share)-2 credits
- Teachers Teaching Teachers (Observe a lesson taught by teachers from JVE or other teachers in the county)-3 credits
- Lesson Study (Co-plan a lesson with your grade level and observe each other teach the lesson)-4 credits
- Book Study Buddies-4/3 credits
- STAT Infusion (Co-plan and co-teach a lesson with your STAT Teacher)-3 credits
- Experts in the Field (Facilitate a professional development to a large or small group of teachers-4 credits
- Attend a Choice PD-2 credits
- Attend a BCPS Workshop Outside of the School Day/Content Meeting- 2 credits- 1 credit
- Host a Towson Intern-5/3 credits
- Attend an Appy Hour-1 credit
- Digital Learning University-15 credits
- Additional Action Team/Committee participation or Team Chair/Co-chair-1/2 credits
- Self Reflection-1 credit
- Educational Article Review-1 credits
- PD2GO-1 credit
- Attend an Educational Conference-3 credits
- Bird University Dissertation (BU Culminating Event)
Lessons in the Spotlight
Objective: Teachers will plan and record a model lesson in order for other teachers to view, get ideas from, and potentially implement in their own classroom.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Collaborate with your STAT teacher to plan a lesson aligned with the CCSS that incorporates one or more of Joppa View’s PD focuses. Record yourself teaching the lesson. Reflect on the lesson you taught and specifically state what worked and what you would change the next time. Upload your video recording and reflection to the PD2Go tab on Bird University. Other teachers will be able to view this model lesson and read your reflection so that might implement the same focus in their classroom.
Final Exam: Complete Reflection Form
Video Recording
BU Credits: 2
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4a-Reflecting on Teaching
Teachers Teaching Teachers
Objective: Teachers will observe master teachers in order to develop pedagogical skills and 21st century teaching strategies based on Joppa View’s PD focuses, the Learner-Centered Environment t Tool and P21 Skills.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Begin with a brief planning session where the teaching teacher will share their lesson plan with the observing teacher. The teaching teacher will open their classroom to allow the observing teacher to spend a class period observing the lesson. Collaborate on a reflection and discuss specifically what worked and what could be changed for future lessons.
Final Exam: Complete Reflection Form
BU Credits: 3
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4d-Participate in a Professional Learning Community
Lesson Study
Objective: Teachers (2-5) will plan one lesson collaboratively and observe each other teaching the lesson in order to incorporate digital tools, instructional strategies, and pedagogical skills that best meet the needs of their individual students.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will collaborate with their team and STAT teacher to plan one lesson. Each lesson must integrate at least one digital tool, instructional strategy, and/or pedagogical skill different from the other lessons to meet the individual needs of their students. Teachers will then rotate to observe the lesson being taught. Teachers will meet after all of the lessons have been taught to reflect on what worked and what could be changed to better meet the needs of their students.
Final Exam: Complete Reflection Form
(to be completed by each participant)
BU Credits: 4
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4d-Participate in a Professional Learning Community
Book Study
Objective: Teachers will participate in a book study where each teacher will rotate the facilitator role in order to prepare a book review
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will submit a book study proposal for approval. The proposal will consist of the book title, rationale for choosing the book, and completed matrix indicating the topic for each meeting, the objective, the teaching and learning activities, and the formative/summative assessment for each session. Sessions should be divided up equally amongst the teachers in the book study so that each teacher is facilitating an equal amount of sessions. There should be a minimum of 4 sessions that can be delivered face-to-face or digitally (session numbers will vary depending on the number of chapters/content within each book). Teachers will culminate their book study with a book review to share with teachers who were not part of the book study.
Final Exam:
Proposal: Book Study Content Delivery Matrix: Sample Matrix (1 per book study group)
Book Review (one per facilitator/participant)
BU Credits:
Facilitating a Session- 4 credits per session
Participating in a Session: 3 credits per session
(Total credits will depend on number of sessions not to exceed 12 credits)
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4d-Participate in a Professional Learning Community
STAT Infusion Lesson
Objective: Teachers will collaborate with the STAT teacher to co-plan and co-teach a lesson with Learner-Centered Environment componants (customized, persoalized, small group, collaboration, digital tools, feedback and assessments, etc).
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will collaborate with the STAT Teacher to plan and teach a lesson that is aligned with the CCSS. Teachers will implement similar and different digital tools, instructional strategies, and pedagogical skills based on the Learner-Centered Environment tool to meet the needs of their students. Teachers will reflect on the experience.
Final Exam: Complete Reflection Form
BU Credits: 3
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4d-Participate in a Professional Learning Community
Experts in the Field
Objective: Teachers will facilitate a PD on a digital tool, instructional strategy, or pedagogical skill at a faculty meeting, choice PD, PSD or grade level meeting in order to share the tool, strategy, or skill, its benefits to the 21st century learner, and examples of how it can be used in the classroom.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Experts will initiate their own learning of a digital tool, instructional strategy, or pedagogical skill. This can be done through the ODL Wiki tutorials, attending digital workshops, expanding their learning from a Joppa View PD focus, or through success and/or failures in their own classroom. Experts will contact their STAT teachers to set up a date to deliver the PD and plan for it. Experts will market and facilitate the PD. Teachers attending the PD will complete a reflection.
Final Exam: Presenter Reflection FORM
Self-created reflection, survey, and/or feedback from participants
(Facilitator will create their own sign-in sheet & feedback form: share with STAT)
BU Credits: 4
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4d-Participate in a Professional Learning Community
Attend an Optional PD on PD Day
Objective: Teachers will attend a PD offered by the STAT teacher or “Expert in the Field” in order to obtain new knowledge of digital tool, instructional strategy, or pedagogical skill.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will use their allotted Choice PD time to attend a PD offered by the STAT teacher or “Expert in the Field”. This does not include faculty meetings, grade level planning meetings, or job-embedded PD such as Tech Talk DIP. Teachers will reflect on the PD.
Final Exam: Complete Choice PD Reflection Form
BU Credits: 2
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4e-Growing and Developing Professionally
Attend an APPY HOUR
Objective: Teachers will attend a PD offered by the STAT teacher in order to obtain new knowledge of digital tool, instructional strategy, or pedagogical skill.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will use their allotted Appy Hour time to attend a PD offered by the STAT teacher. Teachers will reflect on the PD.
Final Exam: Appy Hour Reflection Form
BU Credits: 1
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4e-Growing and Developing Professionally
Additional Action Team/Committee or Action Team Chair/Co-chair
Objective: Teachers will take on additional Action Team/Committee responsibility by participating in more than one team and/or committee OR will be the team/committee chair.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will use their position on the team and/or committee to further improve the progress of the school and overall school goals.
Final Exam: Recording Sheet
Consistent attendance and participation in meetings
Chair/Co-chair write notes after each meeting
BU Credits:
Additional committee/team: 1
Chair/Co-chair: 2
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4e-Growing and Developing Professionally
BCPS Workshops or Meetings
Teaching and Learning Activities: Attend and participate in a BCPS Workshop or Professional Development outside of the school day during the 2017-2018 school year. Examples: Office of Digital Learning Workshops, Office of Math or Office of Language Arts PD, etc. OR a TLC Meeting where you are expected to share iwth your grade level.
Final Exam: Complete Reflection Form.
BU Credits:
PD WORKSHOPS outside of the school day: 2
- Example: Office of Digital Learning Workshop
TLC Meetings AND Sharing with your grade level: 2
Meetings during the school day for your content area that you have chosen to attend for professional development beyond what is expected of your content area: 1
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4-Growing and Developing Professionally
Digital Learning University: Office of Digital Learning
Objective: Teachers will participate in the Digital Learning University through the Office of Digital Learning wiki in order to gain information on digital tools and how those tools can be implemented in the classroom.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will register for Digital Learning University and attend 5 Digital Learning Modules throughout the school year.
Final Exam: Consistant attendance and participation in meetings
BU Credits: 15 through ODL
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4e-Growing and Developing Professionally
PD2GO
Teaching and Learning Activities: Record a tutorial on how to use a tech tool. Use a tool such as Screencast-o-Matic to help you to record your tutorial. Coordinate with your STAT teachers to post it to PD2GO on Bird University. Use the current tutorials as your guide.
Final Exam: Video Tutorial
BU Credit: 1
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4-Growing and Developing Professionally
Self-Reflection
Objective: Teachers will teach a lesson that incorporates a new digital tool, instructional strategy, and/or pedagogical skill and reflect on the lesson in order to refine and better their teaching practices.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will plan and teach a lesson that incorporates a digital tool they newly learned from a school PD, workshop, or self-taught themselves from the ODL wiki, or an instructional strategy/pedagogical skill from Joppa View’s PD focuses. Teachers will then self-reflect on the lesson using the formal observation tool for their lesson. Finally, they will complete a reflection.
Final Exam: Complete Reflection Form
Complete Informal or Formal Observation Tool for your lesson
BU Credits: 1
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4a-Reflecting on Teaching
Educational Article Review
Objective: Teachers will read an educational article that pertains to an area of focus for Joppa View and their own teaching and learning in order to develop a new instructional strategy, pedagogical skill, and/or mindset that can be applied in their classroom.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will choose an educational article on a topic that pertains to an area of focus for Joppa View and their own teaching and learning to read and review. Teachers can consider using the digital resources from the BCPS professional library, online sites such as Edutopia , or something from Joppa View's own professional library. Teachers will summarize the article and complete and submit a review for the others to view.
Final Exam: Complete Reflection Form with Summary and Review of Article
BU Credits: 1
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4e-Growing and Developing Professionally
Educational Conference
Objective: Teachers will attend and participate in a professional educational conference such as Ed Camp, Ed Surge, Common Ground, ISTE, etc in order to share one new learning with the faculty.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will coordinate the conference attendance and participation. Teacher should keep the Joppa View PD focuses in mind when choosing to attend different sessions of the conference. Teachers will report back to the faculty and complete a reflection on how their new learning will apply in their classroom.
Final Exam: Complete Conference Reflection Form
BU Credits: 3
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4e-Growing and Developing Professionally
Host a Towson Intern
Teaching and Learning Activities: Mentor a Towson Intern and participate in the PDS partnership.
Final Exam: Mentor Reflection Form
BU Credit: Full time Intern: 5
Part-time Intern: 3
Tuesday Towson Intern: 1
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4a-Particpating in a Professional Learning Community
Bird University: Culminating Event
Objective: Teachers will create a presentation highlighting the Bird University courses they participated in in order to demonstrate their new professional learning and its impact on their instruction and their students.
Teaching and Learning Activities: Teachers will use a presentation platform of their choosing to share the courses they participated in, a summary of their actions, and how their new learning impacted their instruction and their students. At the end of the school year, we will have a gallery walk/showdown where participants will present. Examples of presentations: PowerPoint, Blendspace, Prezi, Padlet, MovieMaker, Trifold Board, Paper Slideshow, Portfolio, Journal, etc.
Final Exam: Presentation
BU Credits: 1
Charlotte Danielson Framework Alignment:
Domain 4-Componant 4d-Participating in a Professional Learning Community
Domain 4-Componant 4e-Growing and Developing Professionally
Frequently Asked Questions
Bird University
Also, please keep track of your points and your reflections.
Your STAT teacher will do the same.
Email: ncalhoun@bcps.org
Location: 8727 Honeygo Boulevard, Perry Hall, MD, United States
Phone: (732) 322-0917
Twitter: @joppaviewes