Courtesy of the Hollister School District:
When school resumes on August 17, 2020, Hollister School District teachers will be freshly trained on techniques to support distance learning. This past June, the district moved quickly to ensure teachers closed the year with forward thinking collaboration and professional development in order to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year. The last nine days of school were considered “End of Year Review” and this allowed HSD teachers to receive training on Orton Gillingham reading strategies, Benchmark Advance, Eureka Math, Positive Behavior Intervention Supports, and Constructing Meaning. Superintendent Diego Ochoa said, “Despite the ever changing nature of how students will be receiving instruction, Hollister School District continues to forge ahead to provide teachers with specialized professional development.”
With valuable parent and teacher feedback, and a district plan to guide priorities, Hollister School District is launching cutting-edge curriculum aligned professional development beginning August 3rd and ending August 13th. The focus is to enable consistency and continuity of instruction via curriculum based digital resources districtwide. Beginning August 3rd, administrators will attend pre-service learning days to ensure they have the tools necessary not only to support their staff, but to monitor student learning at their schools. New Teachers will attend training in core curriculum and a Healing Through the Arts workshop and end the week with a Hollister School District style welcome.
When all teachers return on August 11th, they will attend three days of specially designed professional development specific to their needs and the needs of their school, followed up by collaboration time with their grade level teams. Director of Educational Services Caroline Calero said, “Our professional development offerings are progressive and relevant to providing highly effective instruction at the start of the year and for years to come, no matter what the context.”
With over thirty sessions that equip teachers with the tools, resources, and know-how to establish consistent learning environments for students across the district, a goal the district is committed to, it is an exciting time to be in education and Hollister School District is up for the challenge. The district is committed to providing high quality instruction to all students, which starts with supporting teachers and schools through high quality professional development.
