Program Description
The Northern Valley Staff Development Program, established in 1984, was designed to increase student learning and personal growth through enhancing the professional skills of educators. The Northern Valley Schools Consortium has sponsored this professional development effort to meet regional needs, interests, and to help foster continuous growth. Over 60 courses are offered during the school year.
A requirement for all new teachers to the Valley is the NVCC Learning Academy which blends research and theory with practical instructional strategies to promote the personal and professional well-being of newlyñhired teachers. The purpose of this program is to help beginning teachers become productive practitioners and to ensure that student learning is maximized. This program is a formative process designed to assist, not assess, the newly-hired teacher. This regional effort provides follow-up activities such as classroom visits, coaching, seminars, and networking as on-going support. Within this framework, new teachers have opportunities to develop collegial, professional relationships, to share successes, seek advice, solve problems, and be affirmed.
NVCC Learning Academy
The NVCC Learning Academy is a required 3-year learning series for all teachers who are new to the Northern Valley consortium of eight school districts. This course of study will give teachers the opportunity to see and learn best practices and pedagogy that helps to insure student achievement as well as curriculum alignment throughout the Northern Valley. Specific learning opportunities will be blended with optional electives and each participant will receive regular coaching visits from a Curriculum Center Staff Developer in each of the 3 years.
At the end of the 3-year process teachers will receive a certificate of completion and a full transcript of the workshops attended. Completion of The Professional Educator strand will serve as a prerequisite to an additional strand now in development, The Teacher Leader.
The following is a sample outline of the course of study for year one of the NVCC Learning Academy.
Year 1 |
Topics of Exploration |
Instructional Skills Seminar |
4 Day Program: Selecting Learning, Teaching to Objectives, Monitoring/Adjusting Teaching, Differentiated Instruction, Cooperative Learning, Lesson Study |
Classroom Leadership |
1 Day Workshop Classroom Procedures, Positive Culture, Conflict Resolution, Physical Environment |
One In-service Workshop or Two Webinars |
Technology Offering through the In-Service Program, Variety of Webinar Offerings |
The Northern Valley Schools Consortium
Closter, Demarest, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan and The Northern Valley Regional High School District
Dr. Robert Price
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Mrs. Patty McGee
Coordinator of Professional Development/Literacy Strand
Mrs. Kathleen O'Flynn
Coordinator of Professional Development/Instructional Strand
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