Professional Learning Update

Last week the Professional Learning Committee (representing certified staff) met for the first time this year. We are excited about another year of quality opportunities through Job-Alike Groups, Teacher Quality and other individual learning opportunities.

The group discussed options and recommendations from the Agency Planning Council about how to simplify our process for individuals who have specific requests to attend professional learning outside of Heartland. Job-Alike Groups will be identifying which conferences or opportunities they will be sending members to within the next month. All conferences will be fully funded. Plans will be due by October 12. All requests to attend conferences or learning opportunities will go through your supervisor.

Process Steps:

If you want to attend a conference or learning opportunity that is not part of your Job-Alike Group’s plan:
• The request should be made through your supervisor.
• A PD Request/Out of Area Travel form will need to be completed and submitted to your supervisor.
• You will need to request professional leave through the Leave Online system.
• This request should be made before you make any payment for registration fees, etc.
• If the request is approved, you will receive the approved form back from your supervisor.
• You will then resubmit it with receipts after the event. (The PD Request/Out of Area Travel form has a nice list in the upper right hand side to remind you of these steps. This form is available on the Intranet > Business Office.)

If you are selected to attend a conference or learning activity that is part of your Job-Alike Group’s plan:
• A PD Request/Out of Area Travel form is completed and submitted to your supervisor. Please make sure your supervisor knows that this is part of your Job-Alike Group’s plan.
• You will need to request professional leave through the Leave Online system.
• This request should be made before you make any payment for registration fees etc.
• If the request is approved you will receive the approved form back from your supervisor.
• You will then resubmit it with receipts after the event. (The PD Request/Out of Area Travel form has a nice list in the upper right hand side to remind you of these steps. This form is available on the Intranet > Business Office.)

If a conference or opportunity you are interested in comes up before October 12, please contact your Job-Alike Group’s facilitator to see if the lead group anticipates it being part of the Job-Alike Group’s plan.