Professional Development
How to select, how to succeed
Choosing your own or your school’s PLD: what do you need to know?
Guidance on a global scale
In 2021, the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children released a remarkable document, with input from educators around the world, including New Zealand, setting out ten “Global Principles for Professional Learning in Gifted Education”.
To access this document in full
> click HERE
To access just the 10-point poster
> click HERE
Scroll down for our PLD courses built on these guidelines.
Applying this guidance to our own situations: practical solutions
1. What PLD is best for me?
How can I as an individual teacher decide what’s the best PLD for me?
For some sensible, practical answers to questions like these
2. How can we make sure our school’s PLD is really effective?
Effective PLD is essential if we are to have effective schools. But how should we construct our PLD if we want to achieve this? What do we need to know and do?
For in-depth coverage of this topic
> click HERE
3. What are the organisational steps we need to put in place?
Specialist roles like learning support coordinators need strong organisational and advocacy skills. Have we ensured we have these in place?
For a comprehensive review of this topic
4. Is our school “gifted-fit”?
If we have no programme at all, where should we start? Do our staff really understand the needs of these learners?
To learn how your school can access a unique school assessment package
Our online courses
Accessing the Gold Standard in professional learning in gifted education
Certificate of Effective Practice in Gifted Education:
A WORLD-CLASS COURSE AVAILABLE FOR YOU ONLINE
An overview:
In 2017, when the judges awarded this New Zealand course the coveted USA's National Gifted Association Professional Development Network Award, they described it as "outstanding in calibre and sustainability".
Again and again, teachers taking the course endorse that comment. As one wrote, “It is the best thing you can do for all your students, now and in the future. You will thank yourself over and over again for allowing this knowledge to make you a far better teacher for all students."
Join the teachers from throughout New Zealand and from countries as diverse as Sweden, Jamaica, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Dubai and elsewhere who have found the same benefits - and enjoyed the process!
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has evaluated the "Certificate of Effective Practice in Gifted Education" (Micro-credential) delivered by REACH Education Consultancy and has assessed it to be equivalent to 15 credits (150 notional learning hours) at Level 6 on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
What makes it so effective?
Operating since 2006, this 13-module course has been specially designed for educators wanting to take a deeper look at the intriguing phenomenon of giftedness – people such as programme coordinators, team leaders, and teachers whose interest and concern for these children has been sparked by classroom experiences.6
It works because:
• it is firmly based on the best research in the field
• it offers tested and proven highly practical strategies for all classroom teachers at all schooling levels including numerous examples from actual classroom situations
• it provides continuous individual support from tutors with genuine expertise
• it comes with a comprehensive archive of supporting materials
• it is easily accessible wherever you live and at your own convenience
• it is fully consistent with the World Council’s Global Principles.
For a prospectus and enrolment form, click below.
Gifted Intensive
An overview:
This compact four-module course covers the same territory as does the Certificate course, but with less detail.
It begins with a similar exploration of the nature of giftedness, but has its main focus on the tools and strategies needed for provision in the classroom.
Each participant receives the same individual tutoring support throughout as in the longer course, and also has access to helpful resource materials.
This shorter version provides particularly for the concerned classroom teacher who recognises the need to support the gifted learner but does not currently have the time for the longer course.
NB: Teacher Aides: Not currently scheduled, but available on demand – four modules.
For a prospectus and enrolment form, click below.