Unbox Innovation - Teacher Professional Development Beyond Workshops

Teaching is an art, a science and a continual learning process. The rapidly changing world of classroom technology has created new challenges for many educators, but it has also opened up opportunities for innovation and collaboration.

In this episode of Unbox Innovation, Michelle Dawn Mooney welcomes Taylor-Ann Charles, a Training and Development Specialist at EOS Educationby Boxlight, and Bernadette Moreno, an Education Mentor and Adult Learning Coordinator at Phoenix Union High School(PXU), to discuss a refreshing approach to teacher professional learning. Listen to hear about what's making it so successful.

Meeting Teachers Where They Are

Professional development can-and should-be tailored to address real-world needs and challenges, whether it's for first-year teachers learning to use classroom tech or seasoned educators polishing their practice. A key focus of this conversation is how EOS Education meets all teachers where they are and then helps them grow.

"From the onset, our goal has been to build a model that can be demonstrated in real classroom settings," says Charles. "We work directly with teachers and students, providing one-on-one training to address specific needs and holding group sessions where we discuss what's working and explore areas of focus."

Empowering Students Through Technology

As tech-savvy as teenagers are, they aren't always up to speed on academic technology! PXU's Freshman House program addresses that gap, supporting first-year students who can post to TikTok, but maybe haven't learned how to check their email, set up a OneDrive folder or use PowerPoint.

This collaboration gives educators new strategies to build students' confidence and independence as they gain essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Supporting Collaboration Among Teachers

Collaboration is a cornerstone of this partnership. Teachers learn how to work more effectively together, and that creates a stronger and more connected learning environment for students. Key elements of this approach include:

• The use of shared digital platforms like OneDrive and Microsoft Teams to streamline lesson planning and resource sharing.
• Leveraging technology collaboratively to improve both student learning and engagement.
• Observing co-teaching in action, with Moreno focusing on content and Charles handling technology.
• Teachers leave each session with practical strategies they can put to immediate use in the classroom.

This focus on collaboration, they say, creates a ripple effect across the school community, empowering educators to bring their best to the classroom.

Building Productive Relationships

This work is grounded in building relationships and creating a safe place for meaningful support-a relationship-driven approach that extends beyond tools and techniques. "We say partnership; I really want to shift that word to friendship," says Moreno, adding that the more EOS fills her cup, the better able she is to fill her teachers' cups-which ultimately impacts student learning and well-being.

Want to learn more? Listen to the full episode of Unbox Innovation and share with any colleagues who might want to level up their professional learning.

Interested in bringing EOS Education to your school or district? Learn more about the Boxlight Online Learning Center.

For more insights and detailed tips, be sure to watch the full episode of below or visit our website for all our podcast videos.

Looking for comprehensive tech solutions? Go to www.boxlight.com.

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