During the summer, more than 1,500 staff members at Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) participated in over 70 professional development sessions. These opportunities aimed to help educators improve their skills, learn new methods, and build stronger relationships with colleagues.
Staff could choose from a wide range of courses. Topics included Essential Skills for New K-8 Interventionists, K-5 Amplify Science Orientation, and AI in Education. The district’s approach allowed educators to find relevant training that they could apply in their schools and classrooms.
Meghan Hickey, a first grade teacher at Gompers Elementary School, attended the K-5 Number Development training. This session focused on helping teachers understand how number sense and problem-solving develop during elementary school years. It also addressed strategies for building positive math identities among students.
“We have so many professional development opportunities and initiatives that focus on literacy, and it was nice to see an option that explores ways that teachers can help students grow and build confidence in their math skills,” Hickey said.
She noted that when students fall behind in foundational math skills, it becomes difficult to advance to other concepts. Working with colleagues across the district gave her new ideas for supporting all her students in mathematics.
Ben Serwe, AVID/ACP coordinator at Toki Middle School, attended the AVID Summer Institute—an event designed to help teachers increase student success. At this three-day conference, Serwe learned about a new AVID secondary implementation tool intended as a self-assessment resource for reflecting on strengths and areas for improvement within AVID programs.
“I learned alongside other AVID coordinators from school districts across the country. Everyone was very supportive and had so many great ideas,” Serwe said.
He plans to share what he learned with his team so they can review both the AVID elective class and broader practices across the school.
In addition to these experiences, MMSD staff took part in other professional development events such as the Culture and Climate Institute and Attendance Summit. The district says these efforts are meant to benefit students throughout the upcoming school year.
