ABSTRACT
Effective professional development enables teachers to learn to differentiate the increasingly complex content required of students in the twenty-first century. Leaders should consider three main approaches to ensure professional development meets the needs of their faculty: differentiated pathways; targeted instructional coaching and mentorship; and purposeful scheduling. Professional development cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. New teachers may be open to a more directive or guided approach to professional development, while a seasoned veteran might require a more facilitative or open approach. Leaders should create school schedules that allow teachers to engage in professional learning and collaborate with one another. Research has shown that the most successful and effective teacher professional development centers around teachers working collaboratively with their colleagues in self-directed learning that addresses a critical school problem of practice. Effective professional development requires assessing where teachers need to develop as well as areas they are interested in improving.
