PLD: party like it's 2020...

I don't tend to use my blog as a place to advertise for PLD -I want it to be about education and supporting teachers! However as we get closer to the dates for applications for Term One, 2020, I thought I'd write just one blog to sell me!

If you've been reading my blog, you'll know that I am fortunate to work all over the place! And I really mean all over the place! I have worked in sole charge schools up in the hills of Wairoa and Taranaki, slightly bigger schools in Taumarunui and Opotiki as well as the big city schools in Tauranga, Hamilton and Rotorua. Oh, and some work in New Plymouth, Taupo and finally my home town of Te Aroha this year -at last!

I've worked with individual schools, kāhui ako, and small clusters of schools either with the  kāhui ako or just want to work together. Some schools have me working with all teachers whilst others want me to just work with a smaller group of teachers supporting them to work with their teams disseminating the science PLD. I really like this idea -in fact for a couple of years, I had three schools from various parts of the Waikato all working together by sending their science team leaders to regular workshops. 

Although my focus is science, I'm passionate to see science being explored as a context for literacy and mathematics. Sometimes we've organised the PLD so that we can have a literacy or maths facilitator come along as well. This has worked really well in the past -after all they're the real experts! For some schools, writing is a real focus... can science be used to help lift achievement?

In schools, I model science lessons, co-teach with the staff, host workshops, support the school with parent evenings, as well as all the stuff in the background like planning and assessment, graduate profiles, local curriculum design... phew! Oh, and I can also support the school with Digital Technology too! In fact today I've been busy with Scratch, Book Creator and Google Slides making resources for school visits next week! And then there's assessment, local curriculum writing, etc...

Finally, the whole art of applying... I'm more than happy to support the school in writing up an application either face to face or online. I've had PLD applications accepted from all over the place, so don't feel that distance is an issue. In fact, you may be able to prompt other local schools to apply and then I could pop down for the week each time. The application is not hard to do and I've only ever had a couple refused -and that wasn't even our fault... the Ministry had run out of hours! Most of the schools I work with reapply the next year for more and for me, that's the highest compliment. I've also had principals ring me because someone else has recommended me and that's very pleasing too!

So if you're interested, give me a ring or an email. I will do my very best to answer all your questions and get you all fired up for science! If you have invited me to work with your school, feel free to stick something in the comments! Applications for PLD to begin Term One will be due mid October and a number of schools have asked me to help them in the term break to apply. 

And that's my advert over! As I have said, I do hate the whole idea of saying "Hey, hire me!" but I also know there are schools out there who don't know they can apply for science PLD and for PLD they choose how it happens...

Keep sciencing on!
Paul