Although I usually don't get paid to take professional development classes, I try to take some anyway. As a substitute, I can usually get in for free if there is room in the classes offered to certificated teachers. I don't think I ever had a problem finding space. After all, it helps me do a better job. Plus, what better way to network. In addtion to improving my skills, I meet other teachers who will eventually need substitutes. They get to know me and I get to know them. It is a great way to get jobs and put out my name.
As an education alumni of UW Bothell, I'm on a distribution list that sends me information on professional development opportunities and other information of note. I take advantage of that material.
I took a class about "Cool School Challenge" (program on reducing carbon footprint) in April. It was a Saturday but what the heck! I was inspired by that seminar to think about starting a program in my son's school. Eventually I ended up talking to the program director who then paid me to be on the team to write an elementary curriculum for this program!
Through the same distribution list, I found out about a class on "Energy Transfer" offered at Seattle Pacific University where they pay teachers and offer college credit to attend. The topic dovetails beautifully with the "Cool School Challenge" and my work with them so I jumped on it. It turns out the instructors at SPU heard about the CSC program and so I ended up talking about it in class. I was able to give the teachers there the late breaking news that an elementary curriculum was being written and should be available soon.
Everything connects.
Who knew that a saturday investment of training would lead to meeting so many good people, authoring credit on a growning program, and getting paid for all that!
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