District Wins Award for Professional Development Program

The Joplin School District has won the 2006 Commissioner’s Award of Excellence for Professional Development from the Missouri Staff Development Council (MSDC). The award recognizes high quality professional development programs throughout the state. Joplin was the only medium-sized district in Missouri to be selected for the honor this year.

“Winning this prestigious award serves as a testament to the direct relationship between Joplin’s increasing student achievement and our quality teacher training,” says Assistant Superintendent Charlotte Miller. “Our teachers have been very committed to continuously improving their instruction to meet the needs of our students.”

During an on-site review in February, the MSDC review team gave the district high marks for its well-organized learning communities, many levels of teacher support, and the strong use of data to improve student achievement.

Joplin School District administrators will give a presentation highlighting the district’s professional development efforts at the 2006 Show-Me Professional Development Conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri on Monday, March 20, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The district will also be recognized and awarded a plaque at the Commissioner’s Award Brunch, scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 2006.

(posted 03/14/06)