Episode description

In this episode of the TeacherCast Podcast, we sit down with Mike Soules and Dr. Sonja-Hollins Alexander from Corwin to discuss a recent survey of more than 6300 educators on the state of professional development in schools today.

Together, we discuss the 7 standards of professional learning and how they were used to guide today's professional learning environments.

Topics discussed on the show include

• The 7 Standards of Professional Learning
• What is Professional Learning?
• 4 Findings of the Survey
• Teachers report that leaders in their schools and systems are committed to professional learning.
• Teachers report that their schools use student achievement data to plan professional learning, but they don't use a variety of data to assess its effectiveness.
• Teachers do not appear to be deeply involved in decisions about their own professional learning.
• Teachers report that they are not provided adequate time during the school day to follow up on their professional learning by practicing and applying new skills in the classroom.
• What role does social media and unconferences play in today's professional learning environment?
• What does today’s educator need to be successful?

Corwin, a SAGE company, is the premier provider of professional learning products and services that equip educators to improve teaching and learning. Corwin offers print books and ebooks, digital products, and on-site consulting services for all types of educators at all stages of their careers. Corwin resources are authored by experts on the topics most relevant to education; formatted for hands-on, practical guidance; research-based and peer reviewed for quality, and designed for professional learning.

• www.corwin.com
• https://www.facebook.com/corwin.press.5
• https://twitter.com/CorwinPress

Mike Soules is President of Corwin, the leading provider of innovative professional services and publications for P-20 educators. Corwin is committed to collaborating with schools, districts and departments/ministries of education to deliver training and tools that build capacity, are evidence-based and have a positive change on instructional practice. Through long-term partnerships with authors, policy makers and associations Corwin sits at the nexus of research to practice and practice to research. Mike is most proud of the talented and dedicated all-star team that help bring Corwin’s work to life every day.

Mike has held senior leadership roles at the Channel One Network, Laureate, and Teachscape. The through the line of his career has been pioneering unique platforms to provide meaningful and impactful content that educators need and want.

He serves as Regent of California Lutheran University, President of the Conejo Schools Foundation, and former Chair of the Ventura County Workforce Development Board. Mike has a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in History from the University of...