LITTLETON – Superintendent Kelly Clenchy is pleased to share that Littleton Public Schools educators participated in the 5th Annual Cross-District Professional Development Day, expanding learning opportunities for educators across three school districts.
Cross-District Professional Development Day was created by the school superintendents of Littleton Public Schools, Ayer-Shirley Regional School District, and Harvard Public Schools to develop opportunities for staff to work together and share ideas relevant to teaching and learning. Through this partnership, the districts have contracted with internationally known presenters that focus on professional development topics common to all three districts.
This year’s theme was “Building an Equitable Learning Environment,” designed to raise awareness among teachers regarding students’ cultures, identities, and interests.
Executive Director Katie Novak and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Mirko Chardin from Novak Education delivered the keynote address, presenting ideas about how educators and students can design equitable learning experiences to meet the needs of all. Participants could choose from three workshops: “Cultural Proficiency and Social-Emotional Learning,” “Building the Trauma-Informed Classroom,” or “Equity by Design.”
During the afternoon session, educators from the three districts reflected on the morning session and collaborated on projects to bring back to their districts.
“We have completed our fifth professional development day with Harvard and Ayer/ Shirley and are very pleased with the opportunities for our staff to learn and collaborate,” Superintendent Clenchy said. “This year’s keynote focused on equity for all learners through a Universal Design for Learning lens, which supports the work that we are currently doing in our schools and district. We have seen firsthand the positive impact that this professional development day has on student learning and look forward to continuing our partnership with Ayer/Shirley and Harvard.”
“Cross-District Professional Development Day is always rejuvenating, because of the ideas presented by the speakers and the new connections and perspectives that come from collaborating across districts,” said Elizabeth Steele, Director of Teaching and Learning for Littleton Public Schools. “This program was a stark reminder that as educators we really need to listen to one another, and to our students; everyone has a story to tell.”