Learning

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Encourage. Equip. Empower.

At GMSD, we believe in supporting every educator’s professional journey by encouraging growth, equipping teachers with essential resources, and empowering them to make a lasting impact in the classroom. Our robust professional development options and tools are designed to inspire excellence and success.

Professional Development Options

After-School Sessions: Engage in collaborative learning with peers.
Asynchronous Online Learning: Complete training on your schedule.
Summer Workshops: Dive deep into innovative strategies before the school year starts.
Travel-Based Conferences: Expand your expertise and network with professionals nationwide.

In This Department

Tools to Equip Our Teachers

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For the 2026-2027 school year, GMSD’s focus is on empowering teachers to grow as content experts.

If you are looking for professional cohorts or growth supports, please visit these links from our Human Resources Department:

Blue Chips / Activate / Empower

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2026-2027 Flex PD Requirements

Each building will set their own required number of before/after school PLC hours.
If you plan to participate in a PD session not offered by GMSD for Flex credit, reach out to your principal for approval PRIOR to the event. Your principal will determine the process for pre-approval. Failure to do so may result in hours not being approved for
credit.
A maximum of 6 virtual/asynchronous hours can be earned as part of your 12 Flex hours. Some exceptions may apply pending administrative approval.
All sessions must relate to your current scope of work.
GMSD is committed to placing a focus on developing and supporting our teachers as content experts. At the beginning of the 26-27 school year we will provide a year at a glance calendar highlighting PD opportunities that will be provided throughout the year.
Core content subjects/courses (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies) will be required to attend a minimum of 2 GMSD led PD sessions directly related to their scope of work. Other departments might have their own minimum requirements for
other content areas.
Some trainings/activities are part of your regular job expectations and will not count towards Flex PD, such as: Safe School videos, participation in school- sponsored events, mentoring teachers, department meetings, operational faculty meetings, Snapshots,
etc.

View this information in a downloadable format

Your 200-Day Teaching Contract Explained

All 200 days are required by state policy.

175 Instructional Days

These are days that students are actually in the building. Just a reminder that the 200 day contract applies to any employee (including but not limited to teachers, SLPs, OTs, PTs, RTI Coaches, Counselors, etc.)

10 Built-in Vacation Days

These days are built into the school schedule each year per TDOE requirements.

4 Administrative Days

In-Service: July 27 and August 4
Meet the Teacher Night (0.5 day)
Curriculum Night (0.5 day)
January 4

8 System-Wide Professional Development Days

July 28-31, August 3 (In-Service)
September 4 (DLD)
November 2 (DLD)
February 15 (DLD)

1 Parent-Teacher Conference Day

Buildings select date and times within the
following windows.

September 8-24 (0.5 day)
February 1-18 (05. day)

2 Flex Professional Development Days

Flex hours must be earned outside of your regular contracted work hours.
Flex hours are in lieu of working in person on November 23-24.
You are paid for Flex days in advance, therefore documentation of hours on Frontline is essential.
6 hours x 2 days = 12 Flex hours

Vector PD Staff Guide

Examples of how to earn Flex PD Hours

Attending a PD session set up through your building or district office
Attending a PD session not offered by GMSD (in person or virtually) with prior approval that directly relates to your scope of work (i.e. a science teacher attending a STEM session). After attending your session, each educator will be responsible for completing an Individual Flex Request in Vector.
Taking classes to earn an advanced degree that directly relates to your current area of work (i.e. an English teacher taking a "reading" course)
Reminder that all Flex hours must be logged through Vector. If you are participating in an activity not posted through Frontline, then you will need to complete an Individual Flex Credit Request Form and receive approval from your administrator.

Flex Reminders

12 hours is the minimum number of required hours. Principal or designee may require additional hours or mandatory trainings.
Any staff member who follows 200 day payroll calendar will be required to obtain 12 Flex hours (including but not limited to teacher, SLPs, OTs, PTs, RTI Coaches, Counselors, etc.).
If an employee resigns from GMSD throughout the year, the total number of Flex hours will be prorated and will result in a reduction of pay, if not earned by the final paycheck.
Failure to complete 12 hours will result in a reduction of pay for the employee at the end of the year (June 30th paycheck).
Flex hours must align to your current scope of work (ex: math attends a math textbook training session).

The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flex PD

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What is the timeline to complete Flex hours?

Teachers will have from June 1, 2026 until the end of the school year to complete Flex hours. PLC hours will be scheduled by administrators throughout the year. The intent is to be involved in ongoing professional development. Please note that even if you complete all of your additional hours over the summer, you may still be required to attend additional required sessions throughout the year.

What type of credit can teachers claim for leading professional development sessions?

Who approves my PD sessions? How will I know if a PD outside of GMSD will count toward Flex hours?

Can teachers receive Flex credit for attending planning, leading open house, or curriculum nights?

How do I document PD earned this summer?

If you are attending a session offered through GMSD, simply sign-up in Vector. If you are attending a conference or session outside of the district once you obtain a certificate/proof of attendance you can complete an Individual Flex Credit Request Form for your principal to approve. Once again, sessions outside of GMSD must receive approval by your principal PRIOR to attending the session. Failure to do so may result in hours not being approved for credit.

Does attending a professional conference count towards my Flex hours?

If a teacher attends a conference over the summer, whether funded by the school, the district, or the individual you may request Flex Credit. However, travel time and meals cannot be claimed. If you are attending a conference during the school day, you may only count the hours for any sessions you attended outside of work hours (i.e. you attend a session from 4:00-5:00 on Monday and earn 1 hour). Please make sure to obtain your principal’s prior approval before attending a conference
and requesting hours.

Does Flex PD beyond the required 12 Flex hours roll over the following school year?

Does graduate or postgraduate work count towards Flex PD?

Only coursework taken that applies directly to your current teaching assignment may be counted (i.e. coursework in "school leadership" would not count for a calculus teacher). These determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis by your school level administrator. The formula to calculate postgraduate work for Flex hours is as follows: Number of credit hours for the course multiplied by the number of weeks of the course.
(Ex: 3 credits x 6 weeks = 18 hours towards flex.)

I have questions about Vector.

GMSD's Remote Learning Day Plan

GMSD's Remote Learning Day Plan

Overview & Goals

GMSD has established its Remote Learning Day Plan with the following goals in mind:

Instructional Relevance: Allows teachers to share materials connected to what students are currently learning instead of relying on general resources.
Continuity: Provides more meaningful continuity of instruction during a disruption.
Equity & Access: Acknowledges that some families may have limited technology,
internet access, or printing options during emergency closures.

Communication Protocol

In the event that the district initiates a Remote Learning Day, the following communication hierarchy will be followed:

District Communication: GMSD will send a mass notification to all families outlining general expectations for instruction, attendance, and district-wide procedures.
Teacher Communication: Individual teachers are responsible for communicating specific instructional activities, assignments, and learning expectations directly to their students and families.
Staff Availability: Teachers are expected to be available to students and parents via email during regular work hours, as their personal connectivity allows.
Access Issues: If a teacher is unable to meet communication or instructional expectations due to power or internet outages, they must notify their direct supervisor as soon as they are able.

Legal Framework

T.C.A. § 49-6-3004(i) authorizes local education agencies (LEAs) to provide up to five (5) days each semester of the required 180 days of classroom instruction via remote instruction.

Remote instruction may be utilized in the event of:

Dangerous or extreme weather conditions.
Serious outbreaks of illness affecting or endangering students or staff.
State Assessments: Days that the school administers end-of-course assessments or other required state assessments (provided that students taking assessments do so in person).
State Discretion: Additional events that could result in remote learning days are at the discretion of the Tennessee Department of Education. Grades PK–5 GMSD students in grades PK–5 do not take devices home; therefore, remote learning for these grades will be teacher-directed and communicated directly to families.

In the event of a Remote Learning Day, teacher responsibilities are:

Direct Communication: Communicate with families via email using contact information on file to share specific learning activities.
First-Day Planning Buffer: To allow teachers time to plan for a potentially extended remote period, core teachers (Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies) will be provided with one full day of activities by TLA.
Extended Remote Instruction: If more than one day of remote learning is implemented, teachers will send instructional activities and learning goals to families by 5:00 PM for the following day.
Staff Availability: Remain accessible via email during regular contract hours to support families, provided connectivity is available.
Mobile Accessibility: Design learning experiences that are accessible on a cell phone and do not require printing.
Platform Limitations: Avoid requiring students to log into district platforms or apps (e.g., Seesaw, Schoology), as families may have limited device access and connectivity.

Grades 6–12

Students in grades 6–12 participate in the district’s 1:1 program and take devices home daily, allowing for continued access to digital learning tools.

In the event of a Remote Learning Day, teacher responsibilities are:

Direct Communication: Post and communicate specific instructional activities and expectations directly to students via Schoology.
Day 1 Readiness: Teachers must maintain a folder of activities in Schoology that is "ready on the go." This folder should remain unpublished until a Remote Learning Day is declared, at which point it must be published to carry students through the first full day of instruction.
Instructional Time Allocation: To meet the 6.5-hour state instructional requirement, teachers should plan for 45–55 minutes of activities per day for each course/subject.
Schoology Integration: Post all instructional materials, assignments, and resources in Schoology. If any external platforms (such as online textbooks or formative assessment applications) are utilized, a corresponding note must be included in Schoology to inform families.
Staff Availability: Remain accessible via email during regular contract hours to support students, provided connectivity is available.
Optional Synchronous Support:
- Teachers (including AP and Dual Enrollment) may offer live meetings or check-ins via Google Meet, but these must be optional, due to potential outages or other extenuating circumstances.
- Virtual Office Hours: Teachers are encouraged to offer virtual "office hours" for one-on-one support at their discretion.

Instructional Design Considerations (All Grades)

Remote Learning Day activities should:

Align with State Instructional Time Targets:
- Kindergarten: Target 4 hours of cumulative learning activities.
- Grades 1–12: Target 6.5 hours of cumulative learning activities (achieved from combined subject-area assignments).
Quality and Accessibility:
- Align to Standards: Reinforce previously taught skills, current units of study, or enrichment aligned to standards.
- Set Realistic Goals: Establish reasonable expectations for new learning, as access to instruction and feedback will be limited.
- Minimize Screen Time: Be reasonable in scope and not require extended screen time.
- Support Families: Allow flexibility for families managing emergency conditions.
- Continuity: Emphasize continuity of learning rather than replication of a full in-person schedule.

Our Commitment

The ultimate goal of the GMSD Remote Learning Day Plan is to ensure that student learning remains meaningful and continuous, even when physical access to our buildings is disrupted. By prioritizing instructional relevance and maintaining flexibility for our families, we aim to bridge the gap during emergencies while upholding our commitment to academic excellence. Through clear communication and standard-aligned support, we can navigate these disruptions together while keeping student well-being and progress at the forefront of our efforts.

View this information in a PDF format

Updated March 2026.