CPD in association with
Margaret
your knowledge and understanding of the workshop or to gain from the CPD programme you attended. You you will probably seek out more of the type of events
conference topic will be extended, if you attend. need to know if you made the right decision when you that resource programme participants well.
Adams explains
Think how your ability to do your job will be chose to attend a session and if you chose the right
enhanced as a result of your attending the event. Think provider.
Conclusion
about what your school will gain, and what your Thinking about these issues will help you when you Take all of the above into account when planning your
how to make
students will gain, from your new learning. come to choose your next piece of CPD, so review your CPD, and you are more likely to be willing to adjust your
Think also about what you will be bringing back experience carefully. schedule to accommodate the CPD you know you need.
more time for
into school in terms of resources, useful contacts or Did the providers describe the event accurately in Remember it is a constant battle to find time for
access to materials. their literature? If they did, you may decide to attend CPD, but it is a battle you can win, if you plan your
your CPD
Then ask yourself if the return on your investment more events offered by that organisation. campaign carefully. SecEd
will be sufficient for you to give up valuable working Did the delivery style suit your preferred way of
time to take part in the programme. If you think it will learning? If it did, you will know to look out for similar • Margaret Adams is the author of: How To Take Charge
OU KNOW the situation. You have be, seek agreement for your decision to attend from development opportunities in the future. of your Teaching Career (Continuum International
Y
seen a workshop or conference senior people in school. Then take action. Were the materials of a high standard? If they were, Publishing, 2008).
advertised. You know you would
like to attend, but you do not think
Find ways to make space in your schedule
you can afford the time. Once you accept that CPD has a legitimate place in
There is so much to do in your working life, and you know how to calculate the
school that you just do not see benefits you are likely to receive as a result of taking
how you can fit CPD – even essential CPD – into your part in CPD activities, you still need to find time for
Motivating others
schedule. your learning and development.
Most teachers find themselves in this situation from Do not wait for a gap to appear in your schedule. It
time to time, and as a teacher you are faced with what never will. Remember that time is a finite resource and
Dot Struthers
enjoy working in environments which are respectful,
supportive and idealistic.
appears, at first sight, to be an impossible situation. there is only so much activity you can squeeze into your
On the one hand there is no spare time in teaching. working day. shares her
They shine when they are asked to help, or work
on worthy causes, and they will relish the opportunity
There is always more to do than there is time in which This almost certainly means that when you squeeze for personal development.
to do it. On the other hand you need to keep your CPD into your schedule, something else will be
thoughts on how
expertise up-to-date, so you also know you must take squeezed out. Accept that this is the case. If you just
Competitive
part in CPD activities. think of your CPD as something extra you do in
You need to find a way to resolve this situation. Try addition to everything else, you will be daunted by the
to get the most
Second you get the competitive teachers who can
be quite controlling, quick to act and self-confident
out the following to help you to create the space you burden you create for yourself and, as a result, you may
need for your CPD in your busy teaching life. decide not to take part in essential CPD.
from your team at school
and thrive in teams that are direct, competitive
and risk-orientated. Giving them responsibility,
You need to displace some activities you currently challenges and new opportunities will motivate
Accept that CPD is part of your job
undertake to make space for CPD. To help you decide WE ALL have different management styles which this group.
You probably tell yourself that CPD is an important what could be squeezed out of your schedule look at affect the way we work with people and the
aspect of your job but, in your heart of hearts, do you your job description and at the outcomes of your last relationships that we develop with them.
Flexible
believe your own words? performance management interview or professional To get the most out of people you need to understand Then you get the more flexible teachers who are
If you do not believe what you hear yourself say, development review. what motivates them and then appeal to this. adaptable, enthusiastic and inspiring, who will enjoy
remind yourself that if you are going to maintain your Make sure you keep activities linked to these elements Research has shown that the top three things working in friendly, sociable and rule free conditions.
ability to do your job, and to deliver the best support you of your work in your schedule, but look carefully at all which motivate people are: appreciation, feeling They like change, variety and doing things that are
can to your students, you need to take part in CPD. the other tasks you think you need to do. involved, and getting personal help and support with fun – as we all do.
You need to accept that CPD is part of your working Be prepared to prune activities that do not relate problems.
life, not an add-on activity that you think about on directly to your primary responsibilities or to your And yet sometimes we might also think that some
Practical
INSET days and in the summer. objectives. Sometimes these are tasks that were once part people are motivated by money, career prospects or Finally you get the practical teachers who are
Once you believe that CPD is an essential element of your job, but you have just not given them up when the opportunity to make a difference. thorough, tenacious and reserved and work best in
of your work, you will not feel guilty if you have to be you changed your role. Sometimes they are tasks that The truth is, when you recognise that the people in an atmosphere which is structured, fair and objective.
out of school sometimes to attend CPD events. You will you do because you are good at them, or because you like your team all have different personalities and you can They are motivated by detailed work that requires
not feel guilty about using some of your working time doing them, but they are not central to your role. appeal to their individual motivation, you will have a analysis and tangible outcomes.
for your development activities. Be ruthless here. If you fail to marshal your time much better chance of getting the best from them. It is very much a case of different strokes for
effectively, you will be the loser. You will also be Here are four types of people and their different folks.
Evaluate what you will gain from CPD
overworked and overstretched. motivations:
Think about the time you are considering allocating to • Dot Struthers helps teachers to develop their
CPD activities as an investment. Then think about the
Review the CPD you complete Helpful
leadership and management skills. If you would like
return you hope to receive on that investment. Once you complete your CPD sessions there is still First you get the helpful teachers who are co- to receive a monthly CPD newsletter then register at
Work out what you will gain, as an individual, more to do. operative, thoughtful and probably quite trusting, and www.merechats.co.uk
from participating in CPD activities. Consider how You need to work out if you gained what you hoped
SecEd • December 11 2008 13
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