Teachers at Chester Union Free School District attended an informative professional development session

Chester Union Free School District teachers attended a professional development (PD) session on October 31. PD sessions keep teachers informed and equipped when it comes to the latest topics, tools and techniques in education. PD is an investment in our educators, but its biggest return on investment is felt in the positive educational outcomes they lead to for Chester students. PD sessions help us keep our highly qualified and dedicated faculty ready to deliver the most innovative, data-driven and career-connected learning experiences available, which aligns perfectly with the second of our district goals for the 2024-25 school year.

On October 31, Director of Technology & Data Management Daniel Svarczkopf led an AI session titled Frightfully Smart. Part discussion and part hands-on lab, this interactive workshop taught teachers how to effectively use AI to enhance instructional resources, facilitate differentiated instruction and elevate student engagement.  Everyone enjoyed test-driving the tech using simulations on the popular SchoolAI and Magic School platforms.    

The timely PD session coincides with a larger district conversation around AI that began in September. The district is gathering input from teachers, staff, and other stakeholders to take a collaborative approach to exploring the use of AI in education. This will eventually lead to a policy for responsibly and effectively integrating AI in the district, which will go before the Board of Education for approval. Regular updates will be shared with the community on this progress.

In August and September, literacy specialist Eleanor Terrell introduced CES teachers to the Scholastic Literacy program. It offers personalized learning tools for independent reading, including a new leveled bookroom to support small group guided reading instruction. This is the first year CES is implementing the Scholastic K-6 curriculum, designed to help Chester students become independent thinkers, readers, and writers. 

During her PD session on Halloween, entitled The Spooktacular Strategies for Small Group Reading: Unlock the Secrets of the Booookroom, Ms. Terrell walked teachers through some of the ways to utilize those robust resources in the classroom.

“We looked at resources that focus on small group instruction,” said Ms. Terrell. “[Teachers] have this big book room, so we’re looking at what types of books are there, how they are organized, and how we use these resources to plan for our kids, in a way that lets teachers focus on what [individual] students need versus, for example, just the reading level of a book.”