The Mission of DCSD Staff and Organizational Development is to assure professional growth opportunities that increase employee job skills and knowledge, promote organizational development, and contribute to increased student learning and achievement.

High-quality staff development refers to rigorous and relevant content, strategies, and organizational support that assure the development of all personnel whose competence and actions influence the learning environment. Staff development serves as the bridge between where prospective and experienced employees are now, and where they will need to be to meet new challenges in the workplace.

Equitable access for all personnel to staff development opportunities is imperative. Staff development works best when it is part of a system-wide effort to improve and integrate the selection, induction, development, support and advancement of personnel.

High Quality Professional Development

• Focuses on teachers as central to student learning, yet includes all other members of the school district community;
• Focuses on individual and organizational improvement;
• Respects and nurtures the intellectual and leadership capacity of all employees in the school district community;
• Reflects best available research and practice in teaching, learning, and leadership;
• Enables teachers to develop further expertise in subject content, teaching strategies, uses of technologies, and other essential elements in teaching to high standards;
• Promotes continuous improvement embedded in the daily life of schools and other worksites;
• Is planned collaboratively by those who will participate
• Requires substantial time and resources; and
• Is evaluated ultimately by the impact on student learning.