While most of the Coppell High School student body was tucked under their covers relaxing from the bustle the end of a school quarter brings, teachers joined on Oct. 11 for a professional development day.

There, two outcomes were universal: foster community among the staff and scarf down the popcorn assistant principal Jeremy Jordan prepared  between breakout sessions.

Professional development days are scheduled throughout the school year and some PD days are meant to involve all Coppell ISD faculty and staff.

On Oct. 11, CHS hosted a local professional development day for its  faculty.

Faculty started its day attending teacher-led sessions. In these sessions, teachers share tips and tricks ranging from facilitating healthy classroom environments to lesson planning technologies.

“The best part about our PD days is collaborating with people in different content areas,” IB Art teacher Michelle Hauske said. “People are experts on things outside their content area so that builds community and I love that aspect.”

AP Precalculus teacher William Harrington-Pham led a session showcasing how to maximize Google Drawing presentations for coursework organization and lessons.

“Mr. Harrington-Pham’s Google Drawing session taught us how to create digital interactive one pagers that would be easily accessible for our kiddos,” Special Education teacher Erika Cisney said. “It is great to always take one tidbit of information away from a PD day and apply it.”

Teachers could also select more niche sessions tailored for play and connectedness.

“My favorite session I go to is the meditation session that Mrs. Barnes does and I have gone for the past three years,” Special Education teacher Doug Fowler said. “One time there was a session about musical theater and it was nice to talk to others about shows that may be on Broadway or shows that you have been involved in around town.”

Each year there is a theme for the 15 minute brain break between sessions. According to Hauske, this year, the theme was Fall Festival and faculty were able to play backyard games and face painting from the art department.

Faculty concluded with their own departments catching up on completing final grades in order to reset for the next quarter.

“I hope that teachers learn something from whichever session interests them,” Jordan said. “Then they bring that back to their team or department so they can use it throughout the year to be better teachers.”

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