We use student data to prioritize our efforts and allocate our time and resources productively. Staff meetings are held semi-monthly, and teams meet weekly throughout the course of the school year that divides 175 student contact days into four quarters and schedules 16 professional development sessions throughout the year. We are committed to a framework and focus on teacher professional development that is centered upon evidenced-based instructional strategies and goals that stimulate student growth and teacher development. These initiatives all serve to guide a robust, frequent and ongoing classroom observation and coaching process that contributes much to SHPA’s success. Continual reflection, collegial conversation, and meaningful practice cultivates a professional culture and growth mindset that renders SHPA distinct as a high quality charter school.

SHPA supports and provides continual teacher training to enhance our school. All teachers engage in two weeks of professional development prior to the beginning of the school year that is focused on best practices for student success. During the school year, all teachers participate in ongoing professional learning at least two times per month with the goal to continuously improve instructional skills and increase their capacity to support a wide range of student needs and learning styles. We focus our professional development on learning best practices, data analysis and interpretation, and joint planning and problem-solving to ensure every student succeeds. All teachers have the opportunity to attend relevant trainings, workshops, and conferences.

SHPA depends upon a vibrant professional learning community culture and a team-based organizational structure that uses research data to continually reprioritize instruction efforts and allocate time and resources productively. Continual reflection, collegial conversation, and meaningful practice cultivates a professional culture and growth mindset that renders SHPA distinct as a high quality charter school.