MOKANE, Mo. - South Callaway schools are making an effort to improve professional development in the district.
The school board recently approved a five-year professional development plan, which was developed by a district committee last year. Mary Van Orden, director of curriculum and instruction for the district, told the board at its latest meeting the committee worked throughout the year to revise the professional development plan, which had not been revised since 2009.
"It (the revision) was a bit overdue," Van Orden said. "We went through it methodically and made sure it was aligned perfectly to the CSIP (Comprehensive School Improvement Plan) that was revised last year."
There is a professional development handbook and a teacher mentoring handbook that goes with the five-year professional development plan.
She also updated to board on curriculum and said curriculum work and review continues in the district.
"It's been a big year," Van Orden told the board.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will soon have a new literacy program, which Van Orden described as "heavy on digital resources." The district has made technology integration a focus the past few years, adding iPads two years ago and instructional coaches last year.
Teachers will go through a training day related to the new literacy program.
The district is also working to improve its professional development for its athletic coaches as well.
Before looking forward to next year, district activities director Tony Brandt gave the school board an overview of the 2014-15 school year. He said 182 of the 265 students at the high school participated in a sport or activity during the past school year.
As next school year approaches, Brandt wants to include a professional development day for coaches. On July 21, the district will host a day-long coaches clinic, giving the coaches a chance to all meet together at once, which is difficult to arrange during the year.
"It's very hard to get our coaching staff together because of their teaching responsibilities and coaching duties," Brandt said.
During the clinic, Brandt said coaches will take care of beginning of the year items such as first aid training and learning how to use the district's oxygen tanks in case of an emergency. The FCA will present a "3D coaching model" that tells how to coach in a positive way and how to reach student athletes.
"There isn't a lot of professional development available to coaches," Brandt said. "I think this will be a unique opportunity."
Superintendent Kevin Hillman applauded Brandt for his efforts to establish a professional development opportunity for coaches.
He told the board he thinks coaches discussing positive coaching techniques will enhance the district's programs for students.