WTU's professional development program offers Shared Vision, our Spring Professional Development Conference, as well as online and face-to-face courses for teachers who aim to sharpen their skills, explore research opportunities, earn academic credit, and fulfill certification requirements. 

Our Shared Vision Conference brings together educators, policymakers, and the community to discuss the state of DC schools and what can be done to re-center our vision on students’ needs. This year, in keeping with WTU’s focus on literacy, we will welcome award-winning author Sharon G. Flake for both an in-person session with teachers/students on April 26^th and a virtual session on April 27^th. Although all teachers are invited to attend the in-person session on Friday, we want to extend a special invitation to MS and HS librarians and English teachers. All who participate in the in-person event will have an opportunity to receive a free copy of “The Skin I’m In.” This book will be the focus of our author discussion. WTU will provide lunch for all participants. Students will also have an opportunity to receive additional books by the writer, Sharon G. Flake. If you are interested in attending the in-person sessions with your students on Friday, April 26^th from 10AM-1:30PM, please contact Mike Roland [email protected].

On Saturday, April 27^{th ,} the virtual component of our Shared Vision Conference will focus on building literary for our young adults as well as our legislative session with DC City Council and State Board members. Author, Sharon G. Flake will be our keynote speaker and we will have professional development sessions on building literacy. If you are interested in registering for the online session of the Shared Vision Conference on Saturday, April 27th, click here. 

Take a moment to check out some of WTU's fall 2023 professional development courses below. Click on each picture to learn more.

It's not to late to register for WTU's Summer Institute at Kimball Elementary School. Four exciting new courses plus yoga breaks, ice cream socials, line dancing, and more! Come spend a week socializing and learning from your colleagues! Classes start Monday, June 26th! A light breakfast and registration begins at 9:30AM. Classes start promptly at 10AM. To learn more, register here.

Science of Reading – New Course for DC Educators (reminder)

TNTP in partnership with the OSSE has developed a 25-hour asynchronous course to support the development of pre-K through grade 3 educators. This course, designed by educators for educators, offers an equity lens when looking at the science of teaching reading, and outlines the principles of the science of reading and how these principles can be applied in the classroom. In addition to making research around reading acquisition immediately applicable, the course also includes instructional tips educators can use within early literacy instruction to ensure the success of ALL students. School leaders, there is support for you, too. This course will enhance your capacity to support literacy instruction.

Apply to participate in the course here by Friday, Jan. 27. Learn more about this opportunity by viewing the informational flyers here.

For questions, please contact Demetria Clark at [email protected].

Science of Reading Network for Instructional Leadership Teams at DC Schools (reminder)

In conjunction with the Science of Reading course above, OSSE is pleased to announce a new support opportunity for instructional leadership teams. To realize the potential of the course content and create a lasting impact, TNTP will partner with OSSE to select schools to receive a suite of individual and collaborative supports for school leaders on the Science of Reading. The support will include building leader and educator knowledge to diagnose the current instructional practices aligned with the Science of Reading, unearth the systems and policies that are contributing to the current state and plan to refine academic strategies (vision and feedback, curriculum, assessment, intervention, etc.) in support of instructional practices aligned to the Science of Reading. Leaders receiving implementation support will have the opportunity to participate in network convenings and individual walkthroughs and strategy meetings with TNTP, in addition to taking the asynchronous course alongside a portion of their teachers.

Apply for implementation support here by Friday, Jan. 27. Learn more about this opportunity by viewing the informational flyers here.

For more information, please contact Demetria Clark at [email protected].

Teacher Wellness, Emotional Health and Self Care

OSSE is pleased to announce a new professional learning for teachers and school staff who need an emotional charge. This session is designed to offer proven strategies to help alleviate stress and anxiety, mental burnout, compassion fatigue and to preserve emotional health for the long haul. Participants will reflect on the ways in which personal triggers, pain points and conflict resolution impact instructional practices. Instructional coaches, classroom teachers and specialists are strongly encouraged to participate.  

Audience: Grade K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, program specialists and teacher leaders. 

This training will take place virtually on Monday, Jan. 23, from 4–6 p.m. Register here. 

Participants will receive two PLUs for full participation. For questions, please contact Marcus Hughes at [email protected].

Dyslexia Awareness Module

OSSE is pleased to announce a new three-part dyslexia awareness module that will focus on the characteristics and identification of dyslexia; understanding and recognizing reading difficulties; and implementation of instruction that is systemic, cumulative, explicit, diagnostic, multi-sensory and evidence-based to meet the educational needs of students with reading difficulties as required by DC Code §§ 38-2581.02 and 38-2581.03.   
   
This interactive course is ideal for all educators serving kindergarten through grade 12 who lead and support literacy instruction and language development.    
 
By the end of this course, participants will:  

• Learn how to define dyslexia and reading difficulties.   
• Gain awareness about characteristics and indicators of dyslexia and reading difficulties.   
• Learn the importance of universal screening tools.
• Learn the components of Structured Literacy and evidence-based practices for supporting students with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.   

Participants can earn up to 16 professional learning units (PLUs) for completion of all three modules. Please register here. For questions, please contact Charmelle Smith, dyslexia specialist, at [email protected]. 

WIDA Self-Paced Workshops

WIDA offers free virtual Professional Learning for all educators that can be completed at your own pace. Take advantage of interactive learning and enjoy relevant, practical content you can put into action immediately. These eight on-demand eWorkshops will be available through Aug. 31:  

• Home Languages in the Classroom 
• Engaging Multilingual Learners in Science: Making Sense of Phenomena 
• Classroom Teachers: Engaging Multilingual Newcomers 
• Developing Language for Learning in Mathematics 
• Social Studies: Engaging Multilingual Learners through Inquiry 
• The WIDA ELD Standards Framework: A Collaborative Approach 
• Making Language Visible in the Classroom: Explore the Key Language Uses 
• Reframing Education for Long-term English Learners (LTELs) 

To start, log in to your WIDA Secure Portal account and click on the “Professional Learning” icon.  For support or to set up a new account contact the WIDA Client Services Center at [email protected] or 1-866-276-7735.

How we can build safe spaces in our classrooms to help our scholars be more expressive and feel welcomed? Join us this coming Saturday, October 22 to learn from each other as we chat about strategies, we can utilize in our classes for the 2022-2023 school year! Register online here!

Kick off the new school year right! Teachers. Invest in you. Spots are limited! Don't miss your chance to register for PD classes starting this Saturday, October 15th!! Register online here.

Register BEFORE this coming Friday, September 9th to receive the Early Bird Discount for WTU's Fall 2022 Professional Development Courses! Download the full list of fall courses here. Interested in new tips for how to integrate technology into the classroom? Join WTU Instructor Julian King in Best Practices of Integrating Technology to Enhance Student Engagement & Assessment as he shares how to create meaningful learning activities using technology. Want to dive into the psychology and education of the exceptional student? Enroll in Dr. John Taylor's class on the Psychology and Education of Exceptional as he will give you practical tips on how to apply the psychological development of exceptional student to concrete classroom strategies. 

As the summer fast approaches, don't forget to sign up for WTU's Summer Institute of professional development courses starting next week! WTU members are entitled to a deep discount in the fees for a variety of teacher leadership and adult learning opportunities designed to enhance your professional growth. WTU’s professional development courses are research-based, peer-to-peer and solution-driven. They help teachers build content knowledge and mastery of pedagogical strategies. All WTU courses are aligned to the DCPS IMPACT Teaching and Learning Framework and Essential Practices Standards 1 through 5. Classes need at least 5 paid registrants to officially move forward.