Professional Development Network

The MATSOL PD Network is a member group and forum to support quality professional development for teachers and other educators of English language learners.

Members of the MATSOL PD Network are current staff developers, coaches, college and university professors, instructors, facilitators, and trainers leading professional development in schools serving ELLs or in teacher preparation programs. All are current MATSOL members. (Registration required for participation.)

1. To support professional development providers/facilitators/instructors/coaches/trainers in their professional development roles in programs for ELLs.
2. To examine current practices and policies surrounding high quality professional development.
3. To advocate for high quality, well-supported professional development, improvement and resources.
4. To examine research and effective practices that define quality measures in professional development focused on ELL
5. To support each other in our common roles providing professional development.
6. To share innovative ideas and resources for professional development focused on ELLs.
7. To troubleshoot common issues that come up in professional development focused on ELLs.
8. To provide a bulletin board on the MATSOL website for state-wide posting of SEI Category trainings and other related professional development around the state that teachers and districts can access (Bulletin board).
9. To provide a mechanism for connecting districts and programs with qualified providers of SEI Category professional development and other ELL focused staff development (Trainer directory, bulletin board, or other mechanism TBD).

What are the benefits of membership in the PD Network?

In the 2010-2011 academic year the following PD Network benefits will be available to those who participate:

1. Opportunities to be leaders and active participants in the PD Network and contribute to improving the group in the future, the field of ELL professional development, and MATSOL, your professional association.
2. Whole-Network meetings 2010-2011 (Fall Planning and Spring Conference Meetings).
3. Access to the MATSOL PD Network E-List for quick feedback and communications on issues of concern to the group.
4. Support from colleagues facing similar roles and similar concerns in conducting professional development

How do I join?

Please emailPD@matsol.org for information on how to join.

What are my responsibilities to the group if I join?

1. Involvement: By joining, you are taking on part-ownership and full involvement in the running and sustaining of the volunteer responsibilities of the group. You are expected to be active in planning and in helping in many different ways. There is no one group of people responsible for the planning, and everyone needs to take on a role for the group's success.
2. Using resources for their intended purpose: By joining you agree to be responsible for proper E-List etiquette on our PD Network E-list, and for using the group E-List only for its intended purpose.

The E-List is intended to:

• share information related to issues and concerns about being a facilitator/professional development provider/trainer.

• share resources that other E-List/PD Network members may find helpful.
• make quick decisions of a group , for surveys and for advocacy alerts related to professional development focused on ELLs.
• gather feedback or ideas easily on common issues that come up or questions members have.

The E-List is not intended to be used as:

• a trainer recruitment mechanism for any district or organizational entity. The MATSOLworks job posting service can be used to post specific consultation positions (see the MATSOL works job listings page)

• a forum to troubleshoot issues that are not directly associated with the purpose of the PD Network (Larger or broader programmatic issues associated with the mission of MATSOL and concerns of members around English language learners).

MATSOL will be developing some resources, based on initial input from founding network members and from school districts seeking trainings, to support professional development postings on the MATSOL website as a centralized portal for listing professional development opportunities, across the state.

The planning committee for the current PD Network meetings and the MATSOL board is investigating different ways to maintain a qualified PD "bank" of qualified staff developers, consultants, trainers available to support districts and programs in specific trainings, or ways. This resource should be ready by December 2010.

Does MATSOL offer "category training," consultation, and professional development for districts?

Demographic Slides