Welcome to an engaging session on Distance Learning with Common Sense! I’m Barbara Hughes, the Regional Education Program Manager for Common Sense in the DC metro area. Today, I’m thrilled to have two exceptional guests from Prince George’s County, and together, we’ll explore strategies to keep your professional learning vibrant and engaging throughout the summer.
Ken, could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and Prince George’s County?
Of course! I’m Kim Roberson, part of the technology training team in Prince George’s County Public Schools. Our district is among the 25 largest in the U.S., encompassing 206 schools, serving around 130,000 students, and employing nearly 20,000 staff members, half of whom are teachers. Located adjacent to Washington, DC, our district boasts a rich diversity, with over 80% of students identifying as African American, Hispanic, or Asian. Our district is led by Dr. Monica Golson.
Sarah, would you like to share a bit about yourself and our team?
Absolutely! I’m Sarah Thomas, a regional tech coordinator in Prince George’s County. Our team of 19 educators is dedicated to providing professional development support to staff and leadership. I’ve been in this role for nearly six years, and it’s a privilege to work with such an inspiring group of people.
How did you manage professional development for such a large district during the school closures?
When schools closed in mid-March, we initially took a couple of weeks to strategize. As the district’s technology leaders, we were tasked with equipping teachers for virtual engagement. By April 1st, we launched online training sessions to help teachers connect with students using platforms like Google Classroom. From April 1st to June 15th, we conducted weekly training sessions, reaching around 70,000 teachers. We also offered virtual office hours for deeper support and created a podcast to discuss remote learning strategies.
What were some of the highlights and challenges from your professional learning experience this year?
One of the most rewarding aspects was witnessing teachers adapt to online teaching. Many educators, who had never created a video before, quickly mastered tools like Screencastify. It was inspiring to see them actively seeking additional resources and certifications. To maintain motivation, we introduced engaging tools like Bitmoji for interactive classrooms and hosted sessions on using Google tools creatively.
What virtual opportunities are available for educators to prepare and prevent their own summer slide?
There are numerous free online events and activities available. For instance, the ED Change Global Conference in July offers a 24-hour immersive experience, and Q is hosting a Global EdTech Academy with various sessions. The Friday Institute is also providing free professional development focused on remote learning and social-emotional learning. It’s crucial for educators to celebrate their achievements and identify areas for growth. Focus on one specific area for improvement and seek out relevant resources.
Any final takeaways for our audience?
Absolutely! Remember to take time to rest and recharge. As we face uncertainties in the fall, it’s important to clear your mind and focus on your strengths and areas for growth. Connect with your community of educators, whether on social media or other platforms, to share resources and support each other.
Thank you both for joining us today! This conversation will be available on our Common Sense YouTube channel, along with all the links and resources we discussed.
Engage in a virtual conference such as the ED Change Global Conference. This immersive experience will allow you to connect with educators worldwide, share insights, and gain new perspectives on preventing the professional summer slide.
Participate in an interactive workshop focused on using Google tools creatively. This session will help you enhance your virtual classroom skills, making your teaching more engaging and effective.
Create or listen to podcasts about remote learning strategies. This activity will help you explore new ideas and methods for professional development, keeping your learning vibrant during the summer.
Design a Bitmoji classroom to make your virtual teaching space more interactive and fun. This creative exercise will help you engage students and maintain their interest in learning.
Set a specific professional development goal for the summer. Identify resources and online courses that align with this goal, and create a plan to achieve it. This focused approach will help you grow in your chosen area.
**Welcome to Distance Learning with Common Sense!**
My name is Barbara Hughes, and I am the Regional Education Program Manager for Common Sense in the DC metro area. Today, I have two very special guests with me, and I feel fortunate to work with them in Prince George’s County. We will be discussing ways to prevent the professional summer slide, and we have many great ideas to keep you excited about learning throughout the summer.
**Ken, could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and Prince George’s County?**
Sure! I’m Kim Roberson, and I work with the technology training team in Prince George’s County Public Schools. Our district is one of the 25 largest in the United States, with 206 schools, about 130,000 students, and nearly 20,000 employees, half of whom are teachers. We are a public school system that borders Washington, DC, which gives us a diverse demographic. Over 80% of our students identify as African American, Hispanic, or Asian, with a smaller percentage identifying as white or Caucasian. Our district leader is Dr. Monica Golson.
**Sarah, would you like to share a bit about yourself and our team?**
Absolutely! I’m Sarah Thomas, a regional tech coordinator in Prince George’s County. Our team consists of 19 educators who provide professional development support to staff and leadership. I’ve been in my role for nearly six years, and I feel privileged to work with such amazing people in this district.
**Speaking of the size of Prince George’s County, you mentioned that you trained 10,000 educators during the school closures. How did you manage professional development for such a large district in a short time?**
When schools closed in mid-March, we initially spent a couple of weeks figuring things out. As the district’s technology leaders, we were tasked with providing professional development for our teachers. By April 1st, we began hosting online training sessions to help teachers connect with their students virtually. We utilized Google Classroom and other tools to ensure teachers could engage with their students effectively.
We provided training every week from April 1st to June 15th, with around 70,000 teachers attending our sessions. We also offered virtual office hours for more in-depth support and created a podcast focused on remote learning to keep the conversation going.
**What were some of the highlights and challenges from your professional learning experience this year?**
One significant growth area was seeing teachers adapt to online teaching. Many had never made a video before, but they quickly learned to use tools like Screencastify. It was inspiring to see educators step up and seek more resources and certifications.
At the end of the year, we wanted to focus on fun and engaging activities to keep teachers motivated. We introduced tools like Bitmoji for creating interactive classrooms and hosted sessions on using Google tools for creative activities.
**As we look ahead to the fall, what virtual opportunities are available for educators to prepare and prevent their own summer slide?**
There are numerous online events and activities available for free. For example, the ED Change Global Conference in July offers a 24-hour experience, and Q is hosting a Global EdTech Academy with various sessions. The Friday Institute is also providing free professional development focused on remote learning and social-emotional learning.
It’s essential for educators to take time to celebrate their accomplishments and reflect on areas for growth. Focus on one specific area you want to improve, and seek out resources related to that.
**Any final takeaways for our audience?**
Absolutely! Remember to take time to rest and recharge. We don’t know what the fall will bring, so it’s important to clear your mind and focus on your strengths and areas for growth. Connect with your community of educators, whether on social media or other platforms, to share resources and support each other.
Thank you both for joining us today! This conversation will be posted on our Common Sense YouTube channel, along with all the links and resources we discussed.
Education – The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. – Education is crucial for professional students to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving technology sector.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – The integration of technology in classrooms has transformed the way educators deliver content to students.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught. – Online platforms have made learning more accessible to students around the world.
Development – The process of developing or being developed, such as the growth of skills and knowledge. – Professional development programs are essential for educators to keep up with the latest technological advancements.
Virtual – Existing or occurring on computers or on the internet. – Virtual classrooms have become a popular alternative to traditional in-person education.
Resources – Materials, tools, or assets that can be used to achieve goals, especially in education and technology. – Access to digital resources can significantly enhance the learning experience for students.
Training – The action of teaching a person a particular skill or type of behavior. – Effective training programs are essential for educators to effectively integrate new technologies into their teaching methods.
Educators – Individuals who provide instruction or education; teachers. – Educators play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology-driven education.
Engagement – The act of being involved or engaged, particularly in learning activities. – Interactive tools can significantly increase student engagement in virtual learning environments.
Growth – The process of increasing in size, number, or importance, particularly in skills or knowledge. – Continuous learning and adaptation are key to professional growth in the field of technology.
