Midland ISD educators are engaged in a series of professional development seminars aimed at enhancing teaching practices and fostering professional growth, with thanks to a generous donation from the Abell-Hanger Foundation.
Led by Teach Like a Champion, nearly 200 teachers, instructional coaches, assistant principals, and principals are participating in the seminars. Teach Like a Champion is an organization dedicated to studying effective teaching methods and sharing them with educators to improve classroom effectiveness.
Jessie Garcia, Executive Director of Talent Acquisition and Development, emphasized the importance of staying updated on effective teaching practices: "Teaching children isn’t easy, and the best practices around what’s effective are constantly evolving. So it’s imperative that our educators learn about new approaches and get a chance to take their newly acquired knowledge to their campus to support others. It’s how our teachers get better and how we improve as a district."
According to the release from Midland ISD, the seminars aim to promote professional growth among educators, ultimately leading to high-impact teaching and improved student outcomes.
Garcia highlighted the role of professional development in teacher retention, saying, "Midland ISD is a place where teachers can thrive, and professional development opportunities like these Teach Like a Champion workshops are critical in helping strengthen their skills."
The Teach Like a Champion workshops, held throughout the week, provide educators with insights and strategies to enhance their teaching practices. The seminars began on Thursday and will continue on Saturday, with an additional session planned for March.