“Teaching
is so much more than I ever thought it would be.”
-
a Big Picture School advisor after his first year
Scenes
from the Big Picture Schools Network third annual
"Big Bang" conference
August 2004
At each Big
Picture School, the principal and Big Picture Company consultants
lead professional development efforts for the school staff. This
ongoing professional development takes place at staff meetings,
regular staff retreats, and summer conferences. Staff and Advisors
participate in all Big Picture professional development activities,
including our annual "Big Bang" conference and our videoconference
workshops.
Big Picture
Online, an innovative, interactive web site, is a primary
tool for the sharing of information and resources for both students
and staff, greatly increasing opportunities for professional development.
A major component of Big Picture Online is its use as a tool to
share best practices throughout the Big Picture Schools network
in three ways:
1) students and staff can add materials to the searchable "Knowledge
Exchange" area
2) students and staff can set up "Forums" to discuss
and share ideas
3) students and staff can create "Learning Cards" –
compilations of materials on particular topics
Essential Elements of Professional Development Include:
An emphasis
on teaming and collaboration among advisors – supported
by Big Picture Online and Videoconferencing
An expectation that Big Picture School principals will network
with each other to problem solve
The participation of staff at national and regional conferences
– often speaking or participating in panels.
