Embedding Professional Development in Practice

Professional development at BCSC includes several unique aspects, in addition to the leveled support structure, that encourage great teaching and rigorous learning at the school.

Data-Driven Instruction

• Routinely reviewing, analyzing, and strategizing student assessment data in teams and as a school offers many opportunities for reflection and active discussion around instructional practice.

Higher Education Collaborations

• NYC Math Project, Lehman College: The BCSC has worked with a staff developer from the NYC Math Project at Lehman College since its inception.  This support provides guidance in constructivist math instructional strategies in order to encourage the development of critical problem-solving skills and both broaden and deepen the effectiveness of math instruction.

BCSC Internal Systems

• Instructional leaders provide professional development support through routine observations of classroom instruction, written feedback on weekly lesson plans, and modeling exercises.
• Instructional leaders also provide whole-group instruction on topics related to curriculum, instruction, and assessment to support the practice of teaching.  These sessions take place during the two weeks of staff development in August, on Friday afternoons 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm, and on various other dates and times throughout the school year.

Teachers receive many opportunities to seek off-site professional development with the approval of the Executive Director. Frequently, teachers present the turnkey information gained through these experiences to their BCSC colleagues in order to increase significantly the impact on instructional practice across the school.