Brilla Schools, committed to fostering continuous professional growth and development among its staff, recently embarked on a dynamic two-day Professional Development (PD) event that left educators brimming with knowledge, inspiration, and a renewed sense of purpose in their service to student outcomes. The event, a testament to Brilla’s dedication to excellence, was designed to cater to the varying needs and interests of its staff, and it proved to be a resounding success.
In the span of just the first day, Brilla Schools offered an impressive array of 50 sessions, each facilitated by one of 39 expert facilitators.
What makes this initiative particularly outstanding is the customization of sessions according to staff members’ years of experience and their individual interests and areas of expertise. This tailored approach was a direct response to feedback received during staff onboarding, ensuring that the PD experience was finely tuned to meet the unique needs of each educator.
Recognizing the varying needs of elementary and middle school educators, Brilla Schools astutely organized separate tracks for learning, allowing teachers to focus on content and methodologies most relevant to their respective grade levels. This differentiation proved to be a thoughtful and effective strategy, acknowledging the diverse responsibilities and challenges faced by educators at different stages of a student’s academic journey.
Furthermore, to address staff feedback from previous onboarding experiences, the school provided participants with a protected one-hour period dedicated to applying their newfound knowledge and skills twice throughout the day. This post-session application time allowed teachers and other school professionals to immediately put into practice what they had learned, thereby cementing the knowledge acquired during the PD event.
Notably, Brilla Schools celebrated the progress towards their strategic priorities during the event, honoring “Norm pins” in front of all staff. This recognition served as a powerful motivator, reminding educators of the vital role they play in achieving the school’s goals and further fueling their dedication to student success.
The feedback received from participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the exceptional quality of the sessions. Comments from educators, such as the “Leveraging Virtue in Conflict” session that incorporated external research and the sessions tailored to Fine Arts Academy (FAA) teachers, exemplify the depth and relevance of the content. Furthermore, the emphasis on practical application within each session was commended, demonstrating Brilla Schools’ commitment to ensuring that learning translates into action. With excellent facilitation and a positive culture permeating the event, Brilla Schools has once again proven its dedication to empowering its staff and, by extension, the students they serve.
Brilla Public Charter Schools 