Teacher Professional Development Seminar- 2024 Commences in Dharamshala
By ATWS Staff Editor
ATWS Dharamshala, September 12, 2024: Teacher Professional Development (TPD) is a self-directed continuous process that Teachers must follow throughout their career span to deliver a better student learning outcome.
As part of the continuing TPD programs in the Tibetan schools, the Department of Education (DoE), CTA began its 3-day Seminar on Teacher Professional Development – 2024 with a brief Opening Session at the Administrative Training and Welfare Society, Dharamshala this morning. ATWS is facilitating the Seminar with the venue and service facilities for the coming 3 days from Sept 12 to 14, 2024.
Due to the ongoing parliamentary session and some genuine reasons, Education Kalon and Secretary could not grace the Opening Session as initially planned , as mentioned by the concerned Officials Mrs. Tsering Yankyi la and Mr. Tenzin Dorjee la, Addl. Secretary cum Head of Academic Section.
Mr. Dorjee la stated that the objectives of the TPD Seminar are to provide a platform for the Teachers to firstly share their ideas, practices, innovations, and experiences relating to school-based TPD activities, Secondly, to Celebrate the journey of continuous professional growth that Teachers and school leaders undertook till now and to recognize their efforts towards such professional growth, thirdly, to enhance their research skills for adoption of research and evidence-based practices and finally to connect and network with fellow educators for professional advancement.
He then explained the background on how the TPD program incepted as a recommendation of the first Education Advisory Committee Meeting held back in 2013, followed by the piloting of TPD Workshops in 11 Pilot Schools, drafting and finalization of the TPD Guideline with the Expert Team along with installation of Teacher’s Reading Corner and Appointment of TPD Coordinator in respective schools over the last ten years until its institutionalization in Tibetan School’s Annual Calendar as of now in 2024.
Further more, sharing Teacher’s confusion about focusing their Professional Growth Plans on student outcomes instead of Self-development, Monotony of repetitive ideas, lack of innovative and Collaborative Approaches, lack of Networking, and Over-dependence on External Experts as some of the common challenges faced in the implementation of School-Based TPD Activities, he implored all the participants to share their best practices freely with an Open mindset in the Expert Free Zone of the Seminar.
Around twenty-five teachers under STSS, TCV, and THF Mussoorie, including the nine speakers and three special invitees: Mr. Dawa Tsering la from STS Petoen School, Mr. Jamyang Gyaltsen la, MES Director and Mr. Lhundup Namgyal la from Upper TCV are participating in this Seminar.
During the Seminar , there will be deliberation on various methods/strategies for enhancing teaching-learning skills and processes like effective implementation of Annual Professional Growth Plans, Professional Reading, Reflective Practices, Peer Observation, Understanding Student Psychology, System Thinking, Strategic Assessment, and Evaluation.
