Welcome to PD Center

In this module, participants will explore Pennsylvania’s Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education, included under the Common Ground design. This course is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to identify competencies and develop associated standards for educator training in Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Education under Chapter 49(Opens in a new window.). The Pa. School Code offers a definition of Culturally Relevant and Sustaining. Note the emphasis on topics surrounding cultural awareness—including mental wellness, trauma-informed approaches to instruction, and technological and virtual engagement: ""Culturally relevant and sustaining education - Education that ensures equity for all students and seeks to eliminate systemic institutional racial and cultural barriers that inhibit the success of all students in this Commonwealth—particularly those who have been historically underrepresented. Culturally relevant and sustaining education encompasses skills for educators including, but not limited to, approaches to mental wellness, trauma-informed approaches to instruction, technological and virtual engagement, cultural awareness and emerging factors that inhibit equitable access for all students in this Commonwealth."" While there are a multitude of competencies in these three areas, this module attempts to provide an introduction to the concepts as detailed in the list of competencies. A deep understanding of these concepts requires much more attention than this abbreviated course.

According to the Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Practices Commission (n.d.), "In recognition of the magnitude of the responsibility inherent in the education process and by virtue of the desire to maintain the respect and confidence of their colleagues, students, parents and the community, educators shall be guided in their conduct by their commitment to their students, colleagues and profession." In short, educators are held to a higher community standard than other occupations. In this module, participants will examine the Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators, and the Model Code of Ethics for Educators in order to understand and put into action professional and ethical behavior.

In this module, participants will identify and examine how to embed and utilize the first four Pennsylvania Standards for Mathematical Practice into their instruction. Participants will also identify the important uses of standards and build a vertical alignment of those standards. Participants will identify the key elements of the standards as well as how they can fit into a comprehensive instructional model.

The purpose of this module is to introduce the key features and content of the Structured Literacy approach to Pennsylvania educators. The goal is to understand the underpinnings of this approach, to deepen literacy instruction knowledge, and to examine/align current instructional practices to Structured Literacy. Recent legislation in Pennsylvania has mandated changes in preservice training and in the professional development section of local education agencies’ (LEAs) Comprehensive Plans. 22 Pa. Code § 49.14(4)(i) requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to identify competencies and develop associated standards for educator training in structured literacy. Structured literacy supplements core instruction with an increased focus on the five essential components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension). Act 55 of 2022 (Section 1205.8). The continuing professional development plans of each school entity must include training in structured literacy competencies/standards for the five specified certification programs.

Imagine not taking the time to coach a talented athlete or conducting a brilliant musician. Our gifted students need the same types of support. Participants in this course will explore gifted education regulations, the differences between gifted learners and their typically developing peers, and develop strategies to differentiate learning in ELA, Math, and Science.

This module will increase the participant's knowledge of learning media and the value it brings to teaching and learning. Participants will explore, in depth, the digital learning resources of PBS LearningMedia, which uses the power of media to support educators, students, and parents. Through this immersion, participants will discover the value of PBS LearningMedia along with ways to integrate it into instruction for the purpose of creating a more meaningful experience for learners. This module is best suited for teachers of all grades and subject areas.