Professional Development Resources

I have been hunting and scouring the web for low cost professional development resources that I can use within my center. Of course, it's great to get outside the center for professional development, but the sad fact is, many of my staff won't go to a training if they have to pay for the training and THEN get reimbursed for it.

According to them, this is partially because they are living paycheck to paycheck. Personally, I was living paycheck to paycheck when I was in a direct teaching position also, but I found any way I could to attend trainings. I would volunteer so I could receive reduced admission, talk with my employer about the cost, or ask my employer to cover at least part of the training for me if it was work related.

I don't have direct control over weather my staff can have trainings paid for up front, but if they would just ask, I would definitely look into it. I want to make additional training easy for my staff, so I'm looking into as many free options as possible. Currently, I have three guest speakers lined up to attend staff meetings to provide my staff with training, however, I want to do more for them. I want them to be educated and feel well trained to do their jobs.

So----here are some free or very cheap professional development opportunities that I have discovered via the web.

• North Carolina System
• Department of the State Early Childhood Assessment and Teacher Training
• Professional Development Grants
• Teacher Training Resources and Advice
• Professional Development Information for Wisconsin
  

Teacher Freebies!

Part of what I like about my current position is the opportunity to share with my team some of the neat-o resources I have picked up along the way. I would go as far as to say that this is the highlight of my position. After all, why hoard the knowledge? So, one of the cool things that I discovered while working for Head Start was how many free things I could get for my classroom if I were just willing to ask for it.

So--here it is! The GIANT list of freebies for teachers!
Teacher Freebies
Teacher Freebies 2
Teacher Freebies 3
Teacher Freebies 4
Teacher Freebies 5
Teacher Freebies 6
Teacher Freebies 7
Teacher Freebies 8

Teacher Freebies 9

Choosing my attitude

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.
Don’t complain.
-Maya Angelou

I want to spend this time to write about the power of choosing a good attitude. There are many wonderful resources indicating that attitude, especially, choosing a positive attitude, does make a difference in one's life. I found some great articles and suggestions at SuccessConsciousness.com . I especially liked their tip of using daily affirmations. This is something that I have been trying. In the morning, I have been telling myself, "I'm having a great day," and before bed I've been telling myself, "Tomorrow will be great." This was something also suggested at Toolstolife.com. I also am enjoying Think Simple Now's thoughts about having a positive attitude. What I'm reading there is helping me sort through and find meaning in a current struggle I'm having now. I particularly like the quotes from Viktor E. Frankl.

Everyday a new challenge and opportunity to learn something new!