What is professional development in education?

Answer 1

In 1986 I was attending a school for Court Reporting in Alabama, and had to take a Professional Development class. It is designed to teach students how to dress, wear make-up, build a good resume, and other general subjects associated with entering the professional work force. So many young people have never been trained to dress appropriately for the office!

Students of Court Reporting have a special need to dress in a conservative, professional manner, since they spend so much time in a courtroom situation. There were many students who wore loads of make-up and wore their hair as if they were going into a bar, rather than going to classes for a professional-level job.

In my opinion, it is never appropriate for women to wear shorts, jeans and a t-shirt, or evening gowns to work in an office situation. My employer would have sent me home if I had been so inappropriately dressed! Our employers allowed us to have "casual Fridays" each week, and they outlined appropriate clothing for those days. They allowed everyone to wear jeans, with a nice, casual top or shirt. Practically everyone in the office wore jeans on Friday, and I was glad to join in the casual dress day fun. But only because upper management established a regulated policy concerning proper attire. Unfortunately, that policy lasted for 6 to 8 months and then had to be rescinded, because several of the young females kept stretching the rules and wearing jeans with holes, t-shirts with horrible words and pictures, and other items of clothing only suitable for a barn.

I wish more young people had the opportunity to attend Professional Development classes, and especially those that include "How To" sections on wearing make-up, hair styles, and buying a wardrobe for the office. I see a need for training in simple manners, too! I don't know when, or how, people ceased to know what simple courtesy is, and no longer know, or care to know, how to carry on a polite, courteous conversation with strangers. America has a great need in having this sort of education available to all our young people. Everyone will benefit from this.

Answer 2

Professional development in education refers to activities and programs designed to enhance the skills, knowledge, and effectiveness of educators. This can include workshops, seminars, conferences, and online courses aimed at improving teaching methods, classroom management, and student engagement. Professional development helps educators stay current with best practices and pedagogical trends in order to better support student learning and success.