BHS Staff Attend Multiple Professional Development Events

While families were still shopping for school supplies and enjoying the final days of summer vacation, Bloomfield Hills Schools staff were back in the classroom as part of district-wide Professional Development. The BHS Learning Services Team coordinated multiple opportunities involving instructional strategies, collaboration activities, and a keynote event for all district staff.

Staff spent the first part of the week in grade-specific educational meetings. Elementary staff in grades K-2 participated in content area learning in literacy/English Language Arts curriculum and instruction, while staff in grades 3-5 took part in training on math curriculum and instruction. A session for all staff in grades 6-12 on Cultivating Critical Sensitivity to Design provided additional insight into supporting all learners and was followed by building-level professional development and training on curriculum and instructional planning. 

In addition, social studies staff from grades 6-12 attended a free professional development workshop at the Detroit Institute of Arts. English Language Arts staff went to Bowers Farm to learn about taking risks with writing. The staff of BHHS also had an opportunity to attend a one-hour wellness collaboration session ranging from board games to yoga to Zumba. 

The keynote speaker for Welcome Back Week was Ravi Hutheesing, a highly respected speaker in education leadership and founder of Ravi Unites Schools, which is a network of international K-12 schools whose classes participate in peer-to-peer real-time audio-video interactions. Hutheesing’s journey as a rock star, aviator, and cultural diplomat for the US State Department provided staff with multiple inspiring examples of how to pivot and succeed in an ever-changing world. The theme of Hutheesing’s diverse experiences connects to the importance of educating students to be flexible and adaptive in school and the world beyond. Staff also learned about the power of building global competencies as well as the importance of civil discourse. 

Following the keynote address, Hutheesing conducted a training session with Superintendent Pat Watson, several Board of Education members, and high school students from BHHS and the International Academy who serve as School Board Interns and Advisors. 

Guided by BHS’s Portrait of a Learner, Professional Development helps all staff support students through an educational experience where all learners are empowered to reach their unique potential.