Teachers & Conferences? What if Principals Got Letters Like THESE?!

 

Noticing…
Naomi’s Photos

Version One 

Dear Principal ____________,

We have noted with satisfaction the large number of teachers from your school who have attended at least one conference for English teachers during the past year. Your school is ranked among the top schools in our district in this matter. Clearly, your management policies foster an atmosphere that encourages continued professional development among your staff members for the benefit of the students entrusted to your care.

Since it is well-known that these conferences / mini-conferences take place in the afternoons and during school vacations, such a commitment to professional development among your staff members is particularly commendable.

We are encouraging other principals in our district to follow your example.

Yours,

The regional inspectors / local school board

Possible replacement options for the first paragraph:

Watchful…
Naomi’s Photos

Dear Principal ____________,

We have noted with satisfaction that teachers from your school have presented at one conference for English teachers or more during the past year. Your school is ranked among the top schools in our district in this matter. Clearly, your management policies foster an atmosphere that not only encourages continued professional development among your staff members but encourages them to share their knowledge with others.

 

Dear Principal ____________,

We have noted with satisfaction that teachers from your school have attendedpresented at an international conference for English teachers abroad during the school year. Your school is ranked among the top schools in our district in this matter. While you, obviously, have no say in the matter of the teacher’s pay being docked for the few work days they missed, your assistance in getting the paperwork necessary for such an endeavor approved is greatly appreciated. * Clearly, your management policies foster an atmosphere that not only encourages continued professional development among your staff members but recognizes the value of foreign language teachers keeping abreast of worldwide trends in this field.

Just look around… Naomi’s Photos

 

Principals love it when their school is honorably mentioned.

Teachers who attend conferences and invest in continued professional development do it whether or not the principal or management cares.

But being noticed means a lot to teachers too…

Two notes which haven’t found a place in the letters:

  • Some teachers are only able to come to a part of a conference due to reasons such as family commitments, which means they don’t get any recognition for in-service training points (aka “Gmul).  They deserve to be noticed too!
  • Presenting at an international conference or publishing in a recognized academic journal officially awards a teacher one complete in-service training point (aka an entire “Gmul”) instead of the usual fraction.  De facto it is only worth a quarter point in your salary (30 hours)…

*

 

 

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