As to adapted to the fast-growing world, Georgia educator is expected to change from counting hours in workshops to a more relevant and engaging job-embedded learning. The education of our children is in the hands of every educator. To meet this challenge we all know how important it is to keep current on our practices and continually learn and develop instruction to meet the needs of our students. In the past our professional learning was measured by seat time or PLUs, mostly in workshops or conferences. It is time to change from counting hours in workshops to a more relevant and engaging job-embedded learning. As professionals we need to engage in meaningful learning with our colleagues in our school learning communities. Changes to how we address professional learning in Georgia will take effect on July 1, 2017, with a major change in the certificate renewal rule.

To help schools and school systems prepare for this change, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission has created twelve videos to provide you with models of strategies and information on implementing Georgia’s new Professional Learning Model. Watch an exemplary professional learning community delve into student test data. See how members of a learning community work together to meet the needs of every child. Pay attention to the challenges and successes that a principal and her teachers face. Listen to educators at all levels express their thoughts on the new changes in our system of professional learning.

Kelly Henson, Executive Director for the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, delivers an introduction to why and when Georgia began the process of change. Since the taping in 2014 of this video the 2015 General Assembly passed House Bill 164, which further suspends collection of PLUs for certificate renewal in 2016 and 2017. View the video: Professional Learning Changes in Georgia to access the video by Kelly Henson, Executive Director of GaPSC .

We have included some questions related to the videos to guide your thinking and promote discussion. Please take time to reflect on Georgia’s move from counting PLUs to a system that relies on the collaborative work of Georgia educators to address improved teaching and learning in Georgia schools. Additional resources will be made available to school system professional learning staff beginning in June 2015.