Sustaining Professional Development in the Midst of COVID
Sustaining Professional Development in the Midst of COVID
Sustaining Professional Development in the Midst of COVID
By Edward Pittman
July 16, 2020
Summary
Two years ago, I was asked to lead a professional development initiative.
Professional development initiatives that support employees are essential, particularly as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and consider how best to reopen campuses.
What I learned from those conversations and extensive work in creating a two-year professional development curriculum consisting of onboarding, over thirty workshops, and mentoring early-career administrators, has helped me to appreciate the changing landscape.
Here are six keys for enhancing campus professional development efforts that I've learned along the way.
Inclusion and equity have to be a core value in professional development initiatives-whether relating to student support or removing barriers that obstruct employee well-being and belonging.
It makes sense to include anti-racism work in a professional development curriculum, along with implicit bias, supporting first-generation students, understanding the needs of students with disabilities, xenophobia toward international students, gender-inclusive language, and other content relating to marginalized communities.
Not surprisingly, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are integral to sustaining professional development and training opportunities.
The concept of mandatory attendance always lurks nearby and, frankly, some training and professional development workshops may have to be mandatory-despite resistance at times.
Prioritize funding for professional development initiatives.
While post-COVID-19 institutional budgets will be constrained, finding ways to keep professional development resources on the table is essential.
Reference
Pittman, E. (2020, July 16). Sustaining Professional Development in the Midst of COVID. Retrieved July 20, 2020, from https://diverseeducation.com/article/184240/