ABSTRACT
Innovative schools are open to change and are led by principals who have specific change facilitator styles, including concern for people shown in social and meaningful ways, organizational efficiency shown through trust in others, and strategic sense shown through vision and planning. In these schools, innovative teaching practices are encouraged. Innovative teaching practices are more likely to flourish when particular supportive conditions are in place. Research-based recommended content, contexts, and approaches to professional development have been proposed and codified in the National Staff Development Council Standards for Staff Development. Professional Learning Communities (PLC) offer benefit of professional collaboration, known to be among the most important contributors to effective professional learning. Online PLCs afford educators anywhere with the opportunity to engage with colleagues who share a focus on improving practice detailed guidance. Multiple sources now address the use of technology not only in classrooms for the gifted, but also in the regular classroom, classrooms for twice-exceptional students, and students with disabilities.
