The Armstrong-Ringsted CSD has elected to bring in the APL & Associates for teacher professional development this year. We have completed 2 full days of APL training as to date. In regards to the implementation of this program, the goal is to create classroom management consistency within the District. The APL Program, once effectively implemented will enable the staff of the Armstrong-Ringsted CSD to instill in our students the 21st century skills that are most needed when our students graduate and leave us.
The 21st century skills that we are infusing into our students are:
Employability, the ability to work with others and collaborate.
Communication Skills, written and oral.
Professionalism, and Work Ethic.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills.
(Taken from the APL & Associates)
Teaching is both an art and a science. As an art, a teacher's personality, ideas, aptitude and experiences shape the attitude and particular approaches taken within the classroom. However, as a science the Armstrong-Ringsted CSD recognize that certain strategies and skills, if consistently practiced, create successes for both the teacher and the students in pursuit of the mission statement - building a foundation for lifelong learning. Those strategies and skills fall under a teacher effectiveness program called APL.
The APL teacher effectiveness program serves as three major attributes: organizational tool, communication tool, and behavioral guidance tool. In each case, the characteristic applies to both the teacher and the student. From APL implementation, greater understanding results that promotes learning; a more positive relationship between teacher and student, and a stronger learning environment is created.
There are two power words that are important in our thinking of teaching. They are consistency and specificity. Consistency throughout the district in every classroom lowers the level of concern for students. How we do business is not a mystery to teachers or students. Specificity simply means the elimination of vague directions, expectations and learning content. Clearer communication and stronger focus results in making the teacher/student relationship a more positive one.
These newly learned APL strategies are now an integral part of our school culture. Teachers are encouraged to practice and master these skills and strategies, so that throughout the district a common learning culture is established in which teachers and students are successful.
