Professional Development in an Era of Literacy Mandates

Professional learning for educators, known as professional development (PD), is integral to most contemporary teachers’ careers. Educators participate in professional learning groups, have colleagues provide aligned feedback to their classroom teaching, partake in district-provided training, or, on their own, seek out workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses; some of these are in person, and others are online. PD can be community-building, as teachers collaborate with their colleagues, whether at their own school or with colleagues from other schools. High-quality PD provides opportunities for teachers to grow their knowledge, sharpen their skills, and gain emotional support for the work that they do every day.