This paper describes the experiences of two teachers, Ms. Santiago and Mr. Jelenik, who participated in a comprehensive National Science Foundation-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professional learning experience. This comparative case study describes how Ms. Santiago and Mr. Jelenik leveraged the…

Teacher professional development (TPD) programs face several challenges in fostering active participation and ensuring high-quality learning experiences compared to traditional approaches. While online TPD programs offer flexibility, concerns remain about their effectiveness in promoting high-quality content and autonomous learning. This study…

This Education Leadership Portfolio documents efforts toward improving equity-focused professional development (PD) in the Cape Henlopen School District (CHSD). The strategies utilized in this study are guided by an extensive review of the literature on effective PD, teacher preparation, and theories of self-efficacy. Teachers in CHSD participated…

Research Findings: This is an evaluation study of the effectiveness of an online early mathematics professional development program for early childhood teachers. The eight online courses, along with the Math at Home: Early Math Matters website and resources, introduce early childhood teachers to mathematical concepts such as math literacy, number…

Effective, engaging teacher collaboration contributes to continuous school improvement and overall student success. This formative, internal program evaluation used a combination of objectives-based and improvement-focused models to determine what worked well in mandated PLCs at MHS, what aspects of these PLCs needed improvement, and what…

This article explores the role of Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTL) in providing peer mentorship for new faculty. The Peer Network program (PN) pilot aims to foster a sense of belonging, deepen relationships with CTL, support effective teaching, encourage empathy for students, celebrate successes, and affirm experiences. The study…

The effectiveness of professional development programs for teachers in Turkey is limited because the programs are not designed to meet individual teacher needs. Although teachers are implementers who perform classroom practices, they are in the role of students in these programs. The project supported by The Scientific and Technological Research…

In this study we introduce "lesson play experience" (LPE) for implementation as professional development for in-service teachers. LPE is an extension of the "lesson play" notion, which refers to a script for an imagined lesson, written by a teacher, presented as dialogue of teacher-student(s) interaction. In mathematics teacher…

Project Tomorrow® designed and implemented an online survey in spring 2021 to collect both quantitative and qualitative feedback from Summit Learning teachers nationwide. The goal with the data collection effort was to better understand teachers' lived experiences with Summit Learning and how Summit Learning benefits both teachers and students.…

Wide variation exists with respect to how Literacy by 3 is implemented. Though the Literacy by 3 program has been in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) since the 2014-2015 school year, there remains wide variation with respect to which aspects of Literacy by 3 are implemented in classrooms and to what extent the practices are utilized.…

Research on Teach For America (TFA) continues to grow, but scant scholarship has explored the experiences of its corps members working in special education in urban schools. As teachers who require in-depth knowledge of legal and liability processes as well as effective pedagogical practices, corps members in special education positions have…

This article compares self-reported learning gains and experiences of teachers in four professional development courses funded through Google's 2014 Computer Science for High School program. The courses were designed and taught independently at four universities and started late enough in the year to participate in our pre-post study. Two of the…

With performativity and evidence-based teaching, the development of action research (AR) by teachers brings tensions and challenges as teachers move outside their comfort zones and question their practice. This article draws on a small-scale research study developed with teachers. It was funded as part of a professional development initiative by a…

This evaluation study examined a state-wide professional development program composed of two institutes, one for mathematics teachers and one for science teachers, each spanning two weeks. The program was designed to help teachers transform their practice to align with Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and Next Generation Science…

In light of an international policy movement to increase focus on students' academic achievement, the question of how to improve schools has become an important issue at all levels in the school system. Substantial resources have been invested in reforms to improve conditions for pupils' learning. Great expectations and responsibility are often…