Learning
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.
18 Hours of Flex PD: A World of Possibilities
- Timeline: Flex hours must be completed between June 1, 2024, and the end of the school year.
- Documentation: Log hours in Frontline and complete an Individual Flex Credit Request Form for non-GMSD sessions.
Ways to Earn Flex PD Hours
- Attend PD sessions organized by your building or district.
- Participate in approved external PD sessions that align with your scope of work (pre-approval required).
- Take graduate or postgraduate coursework directly related to your current teaching assignment.
- Lead PD sessions and claim an additional hour for planning.
Key Flex Reminders
- Approval Process: Always seek principal approval before attending external sessions.
- Scope of Work: Flex hours must directly relate to your current teaching role.
- Non-Eligible Activities: Safe School videos, mentoring teachers, department meetings, and operational faculty meetings do not count.
Your 200-Day Teaching Contract Explained
All 200 days are required by state policy.
175 Instructional Days
These are the days when students are in school, receiving instruction. They form the majority of the academic calendar and are critical for achieving curriculum goals and student success.
10 Built-in Vacation Days
These days are pre-scheduled breaks for staff and students, such as holidays and seasonal breaks. They offer opportunities for rest, planning, and personal time to recharge throughout the school year.
4 Administrative Days
Administrative days are for tasks like classroom prep, grading, and other responsibilities. Examples include two days during In-Service Week, Meet the Teacher Night (0.5 day), Curriculum Night (0.5 day), and a full day when returning from winter holiday.
7 System-Wide Professional Development Days
These mandatory days are reserved for professional development sessions that align with district and state requirements. Educators participate in training, workshops, and planning sessions to enhance instructional strategies and content knowledge. These days are provided by the district as a part of your calendar.
1 Parent-Teacher Conference Day
This day is divided into two half-days, with scheduling windows in September and February. It allows teachers to communicate directly with parents about student progress, strengths, and areas for growth.
3 Flex Professional Development Days:
Flex days replace in-person work on November 25-27. Staff must complete 18 hours of professional development outside of contracted work hours to qualify. These days offer flexibility in fulfilling professional growth requirements.
The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Flex PD
- What type of credit can teachers claim for leading professional development sessions?
- What is the timeline to complete Flex hours?
- Who approves my PD sessions? How will I know if a PD outside of GMSD will count toward Flex hours?
- Does Flex PD beyond the required 18 Flex hours roll over the following school year?
- Can teachers receive Flex credit for attending planning, leading open house, or curriculum nights?
- Does graduate or postgraduate work count towards Flex PD?