Professional Development
Professional Issues Committee Chairperson: Rod Ratzlaff
VESTA is committed to defending teachers’ choices around professional development, and encourages its members to participate in professional development activities that are meaningful and worthwhile in furthering their understandings of teaching and learning.
The Professional Development Committee helps organize school union rep training for school-based pro-d chairs, organizes after-school professional development activities for members, and advises the Executive Committee on issues related to professional development.
VBE/VESTA/VSTA Joint Statement on Self-Directed Professional Development
We agree with the following points with respect to self- directed professional development activities: Self-Directed Pro D has a valuable role to play in the full complement of a teacher’s professional development. Teachers have a professional responsibility to plan for their Self-Directed Pro D. A written plan will be submitted to the School Pro D Committee in advance of a Pro D day (suggested about two weeks prior). A timeline will be proposed by the School Pro D Committee and approved by the School Staff Committee.
The Administrator is a member of the Pro D Committee and has access to those plans. We also agree there are principles which outline best practices for professional development, both self-directed and staff organized. These are outlined in the VSB/VTF Pro D Handbook and in a variety of BCTF documents. There are also a variety of resources available to assist in planning in the VSB/VTF Pro D Handbook and documents created by VSTA and VESTA. Agreed to in Spring 2008 at the district Professional Development Committee.
2012-2013 Meeting Dates (4pm at the VESTA office)
Thursday, 2012 September 27
Thursday, 2012 October 25
Thursday, 2012 November 29
Thursday, 2012 January 31
Thursday, 2012 February 28
Thursday, 2012 April 25
Thursday, 2012 May 30
Current Projects and Resources
Brain-based Research: Bob Aitken
All Kinds of Minds: Dr. Mel LevineÂ
Quick Links to useful pages
VSB/VTF Professional Development Handbook
BCTF Professional Development