Learning is a lifelong journey. Given the pace of change in our society today, being committed to continual learning is even more important than ever. Every day new information, technology, and research surrounds us causing us to rethink how we live and work.

Professional learning for educators is just as important! If educators continued to teach the same as in the past, how would they impact today’s learner who has only known a digital, information-filled world?

Professional learning, or “inservice time” as it was once known, is essential to helping educators continue to grow to meet the needs of their students. Changing teacher practices to meet the current needs of students ignites the learning process for both the teacher and the student. Local schools approach professional learning in different ways. Some have early outs or late arrivals for students. Other schools may have an “all-day” learning approach once a month. However the approach, the outcome is the same–educators need to continue to learn to meet the needs of the changing learner.

Given our proximity to major metropolitan areas in rural Iowa, many school districts are somewhat limited in their exposure to “live” presenters discussing current educational trends. Central Rivers Area Education Agency (CRAEA) has created the “Lead, Inspire, Innovate Professional Learning Series” for local school districts to afford exposure to monthly quality learning opportunities. Each month a current educational topic is presented, such as social emotional learning, the paraeducator’s role in education, or technology-based instruction, and school districts have the opportunity to live stream a nationally recognized thought leader into their buildings. This service has helped many educators gain new skills while saving thousands of dollars for individual school districts on presenter costs. In addition to this monthly series, every day CRAEA team members are presenting fresh, research-based teaching practices in classrooms and school buildings across an 18-county service area or providing one-on-one coaching.

For more information on the value of professional learning or the Lead, Inspire, Innovate Professional Learning series, visit the CRAEA website at www.centralriversaea.org.

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Dr. Julie Davies is the Executive Director of Educational Services for Central Rivers AEA.