Customized Professional Learning: Content and learning modes continue to evolve

By Nadine Trépainer-Bisson

Over the past few months, as the new Director of Professional Learning with the OPC, I have worked with staff and Members to gain an understanding of the needs of principals, vice-principals and school boards. What I learned is that the needs are diverse, both in terms of content and preferred modes of learning. We consulted with our Members through surveys, a Council storefront and focus groups. Our goal is to provide varied professional learning opportunities that are relevant and evidence-based.

Recently, we embarked on a boardby-board process to offer and develop customized workshops that are responsive to needs. As a result of that outreach and information we gathered, an 18-month plan for professional learning has been developed for our Members that includes Additional Qualification (AQ) programs, summer learning and a new webinar series.

We will continue to add to this plan as we try to be innovative in our over O ver professional learning offerings while maintaining a level of service you have come to expect of us. All the information pertaining to professional learning opportunities is available on our website under Professional Learning.

In addition, we are working with our education partners on professional opportunities in Ontario and across Canada. In Ontario, we are partnering with l’Association des directions et directions adjointes des écoles francoontariennes (ADFO) and the Catholic Principals’ Council | Ontario (CPCO) to continue work on cyberbullying through the provincial launch of some reactive and proactive placemats. We are also working on resources in support of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families.

Our first OPC book club was launched. We are hopeful that supervisory officers will also take part in this initiative.

Nationally, we are looking forward to launching our French as a Second Language leadership modules with a combined British Columbia/Ontario cohort. It is our hope that broadening the scope of these modules will enrich the discussions between principals and vice-principals in both provinces.

As OPC’s Director of Professional Learning, my goal, and that of the Professional Learning team at the OPC, is to update our programs, courses and other offerings to best meet your needs. Your feedback is welcome to ensure success in this endeavour. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us (learning@principals.ca) to share any comments or suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at some of our upcoming professional learning opportunities this year.

Have a question? Email us at learning@principals.ca