It’s been several years since I first threw down the gauntlet with ” The Four O’Clock Faculty: A ROGUE Ruide to Revolutionizing Professional Development .” I called out the PD systems that were sucking the life out of teachers, and tried to share a road map for making PD better for all of us.
It’s 2024, and the more things change, the more they stay the same. The need for meaningful, relevant professional learning is as real now as it ever was. So, let’s revisit the ROGUE guide for navigating the continuing-to-evolve PD landscape:
Teacher well-being is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Let’s state the obvious truth. Teaching is a tough gig. We’re constantly pouring ourselves into our students, and it’s easy to burn out. That’s why prioritizing teacher well-being is no longer optional – it’s essential. We must provide PD that nourishes the mind, body, and soul. Think mindfulness, stress management, and even a good dose of laughter therapy.
Collaboration is key. Remember the power of the PLN? Well, it’s still alive and kicking. Virtual PLCs, co-teaching, peer observation – these are the tools of the modern-day rogue educator. Connect with colleagues, share your struggles and triumphs, and learn from each other’s mistakes (and brilliance!) Nothing will ever replace the true power in sharing with colleagues.
The time is NOW for personalized learning. We have gradually shifted toward personalized learning for each individual. Now it’s time to go all in on personalized learning. Pathways need to be tailored to each individual teacher and staff member. It’s a point from the original ROGUE Guide, but why does the PD for the school nurse look the same as that of a teacher? With adaptive learning and AI, we can now further personalize for each staff member.
In-Person and Online PD both work. Who says you have to choose between online and in-person learning? Embrace the beauty of blended PD, where you can dive deep into online modules, connect with colleagues in virtual spaces, and then come together for face-to-face collaboration and real-world application. Utilizing both provides the ultimate flexibility to help everyone learn.
The ROGUE spirit is alive and well. It’s about taking ownership of your learning, demanding better PD, and refusing to settle for anything less than what you and your students deserve.
I’ll share some words of wisdom from the original ROGUE Guide:
- Commit to becoming the best educator that you can be. Forget all the naysayers.
- Commit yourself to learning as much as you can so your students can learn as much as they can.
Keep up the ROGUE work.
Rich