For PCS faculty, professional growth doesn’t stop when the school year ends. This summer, teachers and staff took advantage of opportunities across the country to learn from other educators, explore new ideas, and bring fresh perspectives back to their classrooms. These experiences are part of PCS’s ongoing commitment to investing in the professional growth of its faculty and staff. In addition to pursuing opportunities during the summer, PCS also hosts professional development days throughout the school year designed to equip faculty and staff with new tools, strategies, and resources.
Secondary English teacher Stephanie Slay spent four days at The University of Alabama for the College Board Summer Seminar for AP Literature. The workshop brought together teachers from multiple states to explore effective ways to teach AP Literature, organize course syllabi, prepare students for the AP exam, and evaluate student writing using the College Board-approved rubric.
Secondary physics teacher Trevor Dunn participated in the National Science Foundation-sponsored Research Experience for Teachers program at The University of Southern Mississippi. Working alongside a graduate student in USM’s Polymer Science and Engineering department, Dunn explored current research and developed a lesson connecting that research to concepts he already teaches.
“The goal of the program is to help students become more aware of the exciting science going on here in Hattiesburg, and hopefully inspire them to be interested in pursuing a career in the sciences,” Dunn said.
Dunn also completed a week-long Advanced Placement Summer Institute for AP Statistics as he prepares to teach the course this school year.
Secondary Spanish teacher Nolvia Ventura traveled to Orlando, Florida, for the annual conference of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Educators from across the United States and beyond gathered to share innovative approaches to language instruction.
Ventura returned with new ideas for incorporating authentic resources—including music, games, videos, and literature—into her classroom, along with new language-learning tools and connections with educators from around the world.
“The conference reinforced why I love what I do,” Ventura said. “I was surrounded by innovative teachers from different places who shared authentic, engaging approaches to language instruction.”
For College Counselor Dallas Smith, summer professional development focused on helping PCS students navigate their next step after graduation.
Smith attended the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling’s Summer Seminar at Vanderbilt University, which included campus tours and sessions led by college counselors and admissions professionals from across the Southeast. Topics included college applications, financial aid, college essays, ethics in admissions, and current admission trends.
One of Smith’s biggest takeaways was the opportunity to connect with counselors and admissions professionals from outside Mississippi. He plans to bring that knowledge back to PCS by working with the 10th and 11th grade English departments to help students develop stronger college admissions essays and by providing faculty with resources for writing recommendation letters.
The experiences of these faculty members represent just a few of the professional development opportunities PCS employees participated in this summer. Whether learning from experts in their field, connecting with educators from across the country, or exploring new ways to serve students, PCS faculty continue to pursue opportunities to grow.
That commitment benefits more than the teachers themselves. The knowledge, ideas, and inspiration they gain ultimately make their way back to the classroom and into the educational experience of PCS students.
At PCS, we are proud to support our faculty and staff as they continue learning, growing, and pursuing excellence in their professions.
