Ascend’s Giving Tuesday campaign runs now through December 3rd. Donate here and spread the word to help us reach our goal of 100 new donors!
Ascend’s Giving Tuesday campaign runs now through December 3rd. Donate here and spread the word to help us reach our goal of 100 new donors!
Professional Development Training for Teachers
Our rigorous professional development program offers meaningful growth opportunities for all our staff—from new teachers to experienced educators. We know that developing our educators is the best way to foster academic excitement and engagement in our students.
Continual and Collaborative Professional Learning
Courses and certifications are important, but consistency is key for growth at Ascend. Opportunities like our elementary school Teacher Planning and Development (TPD) initiative affords teachers weekly opportunities to engage with their grade-team as peer mentors and a professional learning community (PLC). This allows for deeper content study, assessment of student work as a group, and collaboration in designing and implementing any actions that need to take place.
Ascend’s curriculum team is present at schools to provide on-site assistance, fostering a deeper understanding of materials and supporting teachers with effective practices throughout the year. Additionally, external consultants are brought in to provide real-time coaching for teachers and assist in planning meetings.
Protected Time for Development
Students are dismissed early every Friday so schools can hold professional development workshops and seminars for our educators. This time is focused on creating solutions and action plans for their particular school’s focus of educational practice.
During Ascend’s Summer Institutes, our leaders work with specialists to create and facilitate interactive workshops for both our new and returning teachers. These workshops are devoted to teaching our curriculum, best practices and improving overall skill in implementing curriculum and culture.
Individualized Coaching
Each Ascend teacher receives support from a proficient coach — an assistant principal well-versed in Ascend curriculum and methods, with a specific focus on a grade span in lower schools or a subject in middle and high schools.
Our coaching fosters growth in content mastery, pedagogy, and culture — tailored to the teacher’s individual goals. In-class observations provide opportunities for real-time feedback, while coaching sessions focus on discrete action steps that advance larger goals of practice. Live coaching allows teachers to make rapid gains and is one of the most important tools for our educators’ professional development.
© Ascend Public Charter Schools 2024