Having teachers within the school sharing their expertise rather than bringing in outside experts can empower teachers.  Why are teachers hesitant to share with their peers?  Is there a way to scaffold the sharing so that all teachers can take a small step forward with sharing?

It is certainly good to promote high expectations with the IB curriculum.  I saw many of the suggestions in the video as applicable to all students and not unique to that curriculum.  Shouldn't all students have the opportunity for creative projects?

I love the idea of highlighting the skills and expertise of the teachers bringing in outside speakers for PD. Bravo! I can see how this has a great ability to build community, to start where you are. Was this mindset easy to establish? Would love to hear more about how this worked. 

Creating opportunities for teachers in-house to facilitate authentic learning for their peers is an important practice to encourage teachers to work across the curriculum or as you stated "cross pollinate".  This is an amazing way to build trust and camaraderie in your building. 

I am the product of an IB education (I completed the program while in HS) and consider it one of the best curricula for students. I really liked the way that you provided opportunities for all students to engage in IB at their own pace. I also loved the idea of cross-collaboration shared within the video. Thanks for this great video!

Thank you for sharing this! I love the idea of in-house collaboration instead of outside PD. I find the teachers at the school know the kids best so why not leverage that to help create a place for the kids we see day in, day out?

I love the focus on collaboration and building the capacity for collaboration in your school.  Wondering how those that are taking on the lead for PD develop their expertise?  Is that a collaborative process, too? or do they connect with experts beyond your school?  In the last few years all our PD has been in-house.  Some has been transformative and some has felt like the blind leading the blind.  Thanks so much for sharing.

I have a few questions for you.

1) How did you gain the support of your administration to provide teacher driven professional development? 

2) How long have you implemented this type of professional development?

3) What has been your favorite teacher led workshop?

I love the way the culture of sharing and collaboration gets celebrated in your school! "Sharing Lab" is an excellent name for a space.  In the past, I have been in positions where there is so much competition, that it threatens the culture of sharing that we all need to work together as a team.  How do you find/make the time for teachers to get together in this way?

I love the way the culture of sharing and collaboration gets celebrated in your school! "Sharing Lab" is an excellent name for a space.  In the past, I have been in positions where there is so much competition, that it threatens the culture of sharing that we all need to work together as a team.  How do you find/make the time for teachers to get together in this way?

Thanks for sharing your inspirational video and four practices used to develop teacher expertise.  I’d like to know about some of the protocols used/elaboration on the four practices.

Thank you.
 

Based on the comments above, it seems that IB lends itself to be open to collaboration. Have you seen examples of strong teacher collaboration in non-IB schools? What advice might you have for a teacher whose administration does not necessarily understand these values?

It is great to get out of the text book.  Taking students on trip and allowing them to do art.  Allows them to express themselves and allows other to express upon them.  Great exposure and assessment.