Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Teacher Professional Development Plan

Teacher Professional Development Plan

Most organizations make a good habit of evaluating staff performance on an annual or semi-annual basis.  These evaluations should be written and should include observation and/or assessments of work performance.  Employees should also be given the opportunity to do a self-evaluation of their work performance.  Evaluations should be discussed privately with staff, dated, signed and placed in the employees’ confidential file.

It is also a good idea to prepare a professional development plan for the employee during the evaluation meeting.  The professional development plan should include at least three topics that are identified as areas needing improvement and areas of opportunity for growth.  The plan should indicate the staff member’s responsibility and the supervisors’ responsibility for insuring growth.  Additionally, there should be a time line and steps taken to achieve the agreed upon goals.  Make sure that goals are attainable and measureable.


Tina Oliver, M.Ed.
Networx  Early Childhood Training and Consulting Co.

Monday, October 27, 2014

What are Model Work Standards?

What are Model Work Standards?

If your goal is to have a high quality adult working environment, you want to use Model Work Standards in the administration of your business.  Whether you are in the child care business or some other industry, the ultimate success of your business is dependent upon the satisfaction of a group of your key stakeholders, your employees.

So how can we make sure that our employees are satisfied and that we are in fact running a high quality adult working environment?  Get staff involved by asking them to identify the needs for improvement and then make them part of the strategic planning process.

When I work with child care programs who are interested in improving the quality of their work environment, I put together a STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING AROUND MODEL WORK STANDARDS.  Prior to this meeting, I will have staff complete a detailed survey. I then compile a list of possible goals from the results of the survey.  During our first meeting, staff will establish a voting system for selection of goals and prioritizing goals. We then create a one year action plan listing the goals, step for meeting the goals, and timeline.  This plan is then reviewed quarterly for progress.

In child care, a quality work environment means quality care for the children served, lower teacher turnover and higher quality teachers.

Tina Oliver, M.Ed.
Networx Early Childhood Training and Consulting Co.