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Center for Professional Learning

Address
820 Commonwealth Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21740

Phone
301-766-2916; Fax: 301-766-8755

About Our Department

A critical component of continuous school improvement and high student achievement is the quality of teachers and staff. Effective staff development improves, teacher, administrative, and staff performance, leading to quality instruction and significant increases in student achievement. The Center for Professional Learning provides professional development activities for the entire WCPS system. The staff development program provides the services and accountability necessary to meet the "highly qualified teacher" requirements of No Child Left Behind.. Specifically, this program coordinates, facilitates, and funds the following:

  • Coursework and support to prepare teachers to meet "highly qualified teacher" criteria
  • Training and support to prepare paraprofessionals to meet No Child Left Behind criteria
  • Consultation and support to increase efficiency and skills of support services staff
  • District-wide professional development activities
  • Building-based staff development initiatives
  • Individual professional development
  • Comprehensive new teacher induction
  • The mentoring program for new teachers
  • The leadership development program for aspiring administrators
  • The New Teacher Academy
  • Student teacher placements for institutions of higher education
  • Preparation for the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certification
  • Research supporting instructional initiatives
  • Monitoring of attendance at professional development activities
  • Partnerships with institutions of higher education to meet teacher certification and Elementary and Secondary Education Act requirements
  • Partnerships with institutions of higher education to create programs for aspiring leaders to obtain a degree in leadership/administration.

The following are key activities contributing to the effectiveness of this area:

  • Coordination with Human Resources and MSDE for course credit approval
  • Approval of professional development experiences leading to recertification
  • Collaboration with Human Resources, instructional supervisors and principals
  • Accountability and reporting of No Child Left Behind requirements
  • Development of staff development programs consistent with the WCPS Master Plan, Bridge to Excellence, No Child Left Behind, and other state and federal mandates to include teachers, administrators, and educational support personnel.

Finally, the staff and quality improvement programs rely heavily on federal categorical Title II- Part A funding.

Staff

CINDI MINNICHBACH
Secretary
Phone: 301-766-2916

Resources

Links
National Board Certification Website
Teacher of the Year

Downloads

 
Washington County Public Schools Student