At Dayspring all of our teachers are state certified and professional growth is an integral part of the cycle of education.
In-service training involves academic growth, spiritual growth, inspiration, encouragement, refreshment, emergency preparedness, coordination of instruction among grade levels, curriculum selection, documentation, evaluation and review, utilization of testing results to identify strengths and gaps to enhance instruction, and student motivation, to mention a few.
Teacher observation and evaluation is another aspect of professional growth. In the most recent school year every teacher had four formal observations and evaluations by administration or its delegates. The observations and post-observation conferences result in professional growth goal-setting. In addition to the formal evaluations, there are the frequent informal, unannounced drop-in visits to the classroom by administration. This provides an opportunity for the administrator to dialogue with and encourage the teachers concerning their classrooms.
Accreditation mandates a CSIP (Continuous School Improvement Plan) for every accredited school. Teacher professional growth is also an accountability aspect of school accreditation.