CPD
What works for you?
What sort of
CPD do you
think you need?
Margaret
Adams asks the question
T IS a question that is often asked. It is a
question you have probably thought about
The story of
I
from time to time yourself. It is a question you
can expect to be asked more than once during
this academic year.
Why then do many teachers find it such a
difficult question to answer?
Of course, your answer can vary, depending
on how busy you are, and what school leaders
expect of you. Your answer may also be shaped by
your knowledge of the sort of CPD that is within
St Aidan’s
your school’s budget. Your answer might even be
influenced by the point in the academic year when
you consider the question.
Yet, it is still a question that causes problems.
How, therefore, are you going to make sure you
arrive at the right answer when someone next asks you
about your CPD needs.
Decide where CPD fits into your working life
Your judgement about the role of CPD in your life as a
teacher is the strongest influence on your answer to the
question about your CPD needs. Before you specify the
CPD you need, think about your expectations of your
CPD, and where CPD fits into your schedule.
Do you think of CPD as a way of making good
deficiencies in your practice? If taking part in CPD
activities is a means of rectifying failure, as far as you
are concerned, you are likely to want to minimise the
amount of CPD you take part in. You will also be likely
to have a very narrow view of your development needs.
On the other hand, if you see CPD as a reward,
you will probably think of it as something you take that is available at what, in your opinion, is the right needs in some depth and to reply to the question about
part in at the end of the year, when you have earned time of the year. your needs accurately.
your treat and when it is time to relax. If you regard your CPD as part of the process of
If this is how you view your CPD, perhaps you do personal and professional development, you are more
Review the type of CPD you tend to choose
not think much about your needs, just about the CPD likely to take time to think about your development Have you noted a pattern in the CPD choices you
make? There almost certainly is one.
‘
What will you be
doing differently after
When you choose your CPD, do you play safe and
your CPD? How will you
Goals for the year
always choose the same type of programme? Do you
prefer a particular provider? Do you look for a local
venue? When you take part in a CPD programme, are
use your new expertise?
you looking for significant information content, or
new skills, or an opportunity to network with other
How will you gain? How
Dot Struthers
you are starting and know what your deadline is teachers?
so that you do not have moving goalposts. Build It is not the choices you make that are significant.
will your colleagues
shares a simple
in reviews to take account of changes to your What is important is that you know how your decision-
timescales. making process works.
Do you make your choices based on your needs
gain? How will your
method to help
Make a list
or on the basis of habit? Do you think carefully about
List all the people, groups or knowledge you need your needs, or just about the type of CPD you are
students gain?
you achieve
in order to achieve this goal. Then prioritise this used to?
list and make sure that at least one activity makes
more this year
it onto your daily to-do list. Remember plans and
Analyse all your needs
for promotion. You might want to develop your expertise
timescales always change so don’t beat yourself up If you wait until you are sitting in a review meeting in a new field or to develop an in-depth knowledge of
when you don’t achieve what you had hoped to do to think about what CPD you need, there is a good an aspect of teaching and learning.
’
that day, just stick it on the list for the next day. chance that you will only draw attention to the most Think about what development activities you will
UNLESS WE have goals, we are inclined to drift visible of your needs, or to the ones that are most find fulfilling, and what you know you will enjoy
with the time. When we do we are more focused,
Visualise success
pressing. This means that some of your needs could learning about, in order to be clear about your personal
purposeful and successful. The reason we like Do this by closing your eyes and imagining what it be overlooked. development needs.
ticking things off a list is because it gives us a sense looks, feels and sounds like when you have achieved Prepare yourself now to answer the question
of achievement. your goal. Successful athletes use this technique about your development needs by first reviewing Work out what you will gain by addressing
Setting school goals can often feel a lot easier and replay this image daily for months before their what you do well. You will know which aspects of
than setting personal goals, so I am sharing a seven- events. It keeps you positive and alert and gives you your work to review here, because of the results you
your needs
step process which might help you to get started with something to aim for. achieve and the positive feedback you receive on To be certain that the needs you have identified thus far
your CPD this year. your performance. are real needs, think about the benefits you will gain, if
Determination and persistence
Do you need to undertake CPD to enhance your you take part in relevant CPD activities.
Desire
We all experience failure which can test our patience skills further or to refine your practice? Are there What will you be doing differently after your CPD?
You need to have a real need which inspires and and resolve. Self-discipline is persistence in action. elements of your practice where you are ready to How will you use your new expertise? How will you
motivates you each day. What do you want to And your persistence is the faith and ability you have move from competence to excellence? gain? How will your colleagues gain? How will your
achieve? And what are the benefits and advantages in yourself. So keep moving forward, irrespective Reflect on your situation and on your achievements. students gain?
of achieving your goal? of the obstacles and barriers which try to slow you Take some time to arrive at the right decision for you. Do you think other people will be likely to notice any
down. The needs you identify here are just as important as difference in your behaviour following your training?
Belief
the ones linked to any problems you might be facing, Do you think you will notice a difference?
You have to believe you can do it beyond a shadow
Set a positive intention
so do not ignore them. If not, be honest with yourself. Have you identified
of a doubt. Think big and dream the impossible This should outline what you want to experience Next think about the areas of your work where a real CPD need?
– stretching outside of your comfort zone will while you achieve your goal. For example, do you you know you need to improve your practice. You Finally, be prepared to think about your answer to the
help you to achieve more. It is the small steps and want to learn new skills, to have fun, to create joy, will establish these most easily, if you think about question about your CPD needs on a regular basis. Do
successes you have each day that reinforce your or to make new friends? This intention acts as an the new responsibilities you have taken on, or the not wait until it is almost time for your review to start to
belief. Challenge your limiting beliefs – they are overall philosophy for you which will guide your new programmes you are teaching. Try to establish work out your response. Polish your answer so that you
only opinions not facts. daily activities and ensure you stay connected and headings under which you can place needs. Do you are ready to reply to what is now a very straightforward
engaged. need to learn more about teaching creative writing or question – at least for you – when school leaders ask you
Write your goals down
about managing the behaviour of boys? Make a list of what CPD you think you need. SecEd
Do this in vivid, clear and precise detail so your • To find out more about how to set goals, you topics and then prioritise your needs.
sub-conscious mind can go to work. Until you can register for Dot Struthers’ free monthly CPD Finally, consider your overall development and • Margaret Adams is the author of How To Take Charge
write it down, it is merely a wish. Know where newsletter at www.merechats.co.uk the sort of CPD that will help you to achieve your Of Your Teaching Career (Continuum International
aspirations in the longer term. You might be looking Publishing, 2008).
SecEd • January 21 2010 13
12-13 Lang-Maca copy.indd 13 18/1/10 11:11:46
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