Lawrence J. Zwier is currently the Associate Director of Curriculum at Michigan State University. In this article, he explores the opportunities available for teachers with little time or budget allocated for their own professional development.
The short answer to the title question is “probably not.” I’ve never met an English-language teacher who said, “Enough professional development already! It’s all going by so fast!” Many of us went into teaching because we love education, and we eagerly snap up opportunities to learn more. As much as I love teaching, I really like being the receiver sometimes instead of the presenter. I get into a room at a conference with an ELT expert, and I just think, “Here I am. Wisdom please—and no group-work!”
The problem with professional development
The problems are, of course, time and money. Even a 3-hour workshop organized by your state TESOL affiliate involves some combination of those factors, and who will provide? Most of us have to work hard just to put together the combination of spousal dispensation, employer grace, collegial class-covering, and personal or institutional dollar-scrounging that even a small professional-development (PD) event requires. Ratchet the event up to the level of a multi-day conference, and things can get really hard. Ideally, we would all have employers who see the value in keeping teachers sharp and up to date and who are willing to put their money where their values are. Any smart knife buyer is also willing to spring for a whetstone. Full-disclosure: I am one of the lucky ESL teachers who works for such an employer. But I also know, from my relatively broad network of friends throughout North America and around the world, that:
- not every employer sees much value in PD;
- many employers see the value but don’t have money for it;
- a large number of ELT professionals are not full-time and don’t qualify for employer support;
- what passes for employer-supported PD can be pretty dismal.
I don’t think I need to explain any of those points. Especially if one of them applies to your situation, you understand perfectly well. Instead, I’ll make a couple of points that may not be so obvious—and that will probably raise someone’s hackles somewhere.
We are in a period of particular instability in education. Teachers who are public employees, even if they now operate under relatively PD-friendly laws, have to stay alert. Powerful forces see most expenditures on teachers as money poorly spent. Some such “reformers” advocate new types of privately managed (though publicly funded) educational institutions that, they hope, can dodge quality-assurance systems that have long protected teachers and students. It will become increasingly tough to ensure that one’s contract ensures high-quality PD. By that I mostly mean events that allow long-form networking outside one’s workplace—not just the odd afternoon off to go to a lunchroom and watch an in-house.
How to get more professional development
Let me just end with a few action points:
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- Become aware of low-cost PD options. Yes, I mean online webinars (which are generally free, like those offered by Cambridge University Press), but I also mean one-day symposia like those offered here in Michigan by Ferris State University and Michigan State. There is no substitute for getting out of your workplace, meeting other professionals, and forming a posse.
- Join your local affiliate of TESOL or some other professional organization that can inform you of such PD opportunities. Also, contact your local publisher’s representatives—especially your Cambridge rep! Make sure you are on their e-mail lists.
- If you are starting a new job or renewing your contract with your employer, make PD part of your package. If you’re talking to a prospective employer, the person hiring you may have no room to negotiate about salary but may be able to wiggle a bit with PD provisions.
- If you teach as an adjunct or independent contractor, keep close track of your PD expenses, including any mileage for travel. You may be able to claim such expenses at tax time. Consult your tax professional about your particular situation.
- The range of good PD options is wide. Don’t be a snob. Workshops by reputable teachers about using apps or building digital listening lessons are important. If that’s the extent of what your time, time OFF, and money will allow, go for it and enjoy.
We recently ran a research survey looking into the current habits and attitudes towards professional development. You can find the results here: The State of Teacher Development