The Teacher Becomes the Student at Fall In-Service

A Friday early release for Great Hearts Arizona meant our scholars got a head start to the weekend. However, for our teachers it was a rare and valuable opportunity to join colleagues from across the network  for professional development.

“The Fall In-Service in Arizona was something our teachers had expressed that they missed,” said Amy Gottry, Regional Manager of Professional Development. “Even before accepting this new position at the home office, as a teacher, I had missed it, too! It had traditionally been a time to collaborate with teachers across the network, often in subject-area-specific groups, and we hadn’t had that specific opportunity since before [the pandemic]. I was excited to work to provide this time together, again.”

The stated purpose for the in-service was “for connection and community around our work together, network resources, and shared best practice examples from teacher-leaders.” While all our campuses in Arizona participated, Veritas, Chandler, Glendale, Cicero, and Scottsdale served as venues for various training sessions. After teaching in their classrooms for the first half of the day, teachers met up at the host locations based on subject area.

“It was great to meet with other teachers who are involved in teaching the same subject. Being able to support one another with resources and ideas is great,” said one teacher while another stated, “[It’s] nice to compare experiences that are tailored specifically with what we teach.”

Subjects included Mathematics, Writing, Reading, Spalding, Art, Music, Physical Education, Latin, Greek, Spanish, French, Literature/Composition, Humane Letters, History, Physical Science, Life Science, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Drama, Poetry, and Economics. Master teachers, lead office staff, and our curricular authors made up the majority of session leaders, with the exception of Primary Mathematics led by guest instructor, Jessica Kaminski, a Primary Math 2022 author, and Science of Reading led by guest instructor Melanie Schneider of Grand Canyon University.

One participant stated, “Always great hearing from and how others do their similar/same work in other parts of town. I don’t mean this glibly, hearing other perspectives—on a work which to me is so much more than work—is so enriching and energizing.”

Special Education staff, Counselors, College Counselors, Athletic Directors, Family Giving Officers, and other non-teaching staff participated in various professional development time with their teams as well.

“It was great to see all the talented people across the network,” said another participant. “Such a diversity in talents and resources! Also, fabulous to get a taste of the different levels of instruction from Archway to Prep. Then to top it off, a great idea exchange across small groups from different schools. It was great to hear others with similar struggles, but also validate that we are doing good work.”

Many left these sessions with a deeper admiration for their colleagues and their craft. Others were encouraged with the sense that they are not in this alone, but a part of the bigger picture of classical educators in the Valley. This vehicle for our teachers to support one another with resources and ideas prove to be invaluable and the beneficiaries of this work are the scholars and families that our teachers serve.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jason.moore@greathearts.org.