FOR SCHOOLS
The Program Overview
Canned curriculum is not always the best answer for a school. As educators we know that it is important to be constantly collecting data on our students’ progress in order to inform our further instruction. The same is true for professional development. The best professional development program starts with collecting data about a school, its programs, goals, student achievement, and teacher knowledge.
Professional development that starts with data collection provides a customized approach that yields greater results than starting from scratch with a new curriculum.
Research shows that effective professional development requires at least 14 hours of contact between the trainer and the school. The best professional development creates an ongoing relationship between the trainer and staff and is tailored to a school’s needs and culture. This is what Gwen does. She comes into a school and facilitates the process of evaluating and analyzing a school's entire writing program. Once this has happened she offers advice on next steps as well as services that help schools meet those next steps.
With Gwen you will not get a canned curriculum, but an ongoing professional development series that is tailored to your teachers’ needs and school culture. She creates an environment where teachers feel safe to learn. These workshops change the way teachers look at and teach writing.
This process is transformational for schools looking to create college- and career-ready writers as well as teachers who can work together across grade levels to become the best writing instructors possible.
“The process was positive, professional and eye-opening. Our staff has already begun to utilize her professional report in order to tune up our curriculum in a variety of areas.”