Professional Development

The Excellence in Education Act suggests and the rule for teacher certification (5 CSR 80-800.010) requires that beginning teacher support systems include an entry year mentor program. A second year mentoring program is now a requirement as well. Harrisonville Schools provides new teachers support in the form of mentoring, assistance in the development and implementation of individualized Professional Growth Plans, special support from the Professional Development Committee and Education Office, and workshops designed to address concerns common to beginning teachers. Orientation activities are provided before the beginning of the regular school year for all beginning teachers, and continued district support throughout the school year. 

Teachers with teaching experience who are new to the district are assigned an “advisor”, a teacher who has been with the district at least one year. Orientation activities are provided before the beginning of the regular school year. Advisors provide support and answer individual questions or concerns that the new teacher may have. 

The Professional Development Program provides a variety of opportunities for the growth and skills enhancement of the individual teacher. A teacher may also request specialized, individual assistance from the building or district PDC Committee to improve or refine existing skills, or receive coaching in the implementation of a new teaching strategy.  All such sessions are confidential and non-evaluative.

Individual schools may request assistance in developing and implementing building-based staff development programs or workshops to meet staff development needs unique to the building.

The Harrisonville Schools Professional Development Committees and the Human Resources Office provides assistance to teachers with certification and recertification procedures, policies and requirements.

District and Building PDCs are responsible for assessing the professional development needs of the district and buildings to enable the successful implementation of improvement goals.