Professional Development
Learning best practices in teaching

Education for a New Era demands a different type of teaching delivery. Teachers are required to learn new roles, adopt new practices and be active participants in the reform process. The Professional Development Office (PDO) is helping teachers not only learn new skills but also develop new approaches to pedagogy and curriculum standards and foster a culture of professional development.

For educators in the Independent Schools, professional development has become part of their daily routine. A series of practical and interactive workshops and training programs led by major international experts have been designed especially for thousands of Qatari teachers in the Independent and MoE schools over the course of this academic year.

“So far, the teachers’ response has been remarkable. Independent and Ministry of Education (MoE) schools are attending the workshops and training programs organized by the Professional Development Office,” says Hessa Al-Aali, Senior Professional Development Officer at the PDO. “The Teacher Introductory and Preparation Program introduced trainees to the principles of the K-12 educational reform system, curriculum standards, assessing students’ learning; the latest trends in teaching methods and approaches,” she added. Ms. Al-Aali led a series of oversubscribed and very successful workshops on “Coaching and Mentoring” and “Developing and Improving Formative Assessment.” Over 50 teachers participated as opposed to the 25 initially anticipated.

Jan Wilson, Director, Professional Development Office is leading the “Leadership Training Programs” for middle and senior managers in Independent Schools, scheduled for March 2006. A series of informative and interactive workshops have also been conducted especially for Independent Schools’ Boards of Trustees.

Over the coming months, additional training programs will include gifted education and talent development, special needs education, improving classroom management, and early childhood education.

For more information on what is available, check the Training and Development Guide at: http://www.english.education.gov.qa/files/2106_file_PDENGLISH.pdf