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Professional Development Planning Services
Assistance with Educator Professional Development
Professional Learning Specialists
Our Professional Learning Specialists will listen and respond to the professional development needs of educators in your school district or consortium.
These specialists will assist you in the planning and design of professional development experiences when incorporating the PLC (Professional Learning Community) process and philosophy that are guided by four critical questions leading to achievement by ALL students.
- What are students expected to know and do?
- How do we know when students have learned?
- What do we do when students have not learned?
- What do we do when students already know the content?
What Benefits Will You Gain from Our Services?
- Receive information about UND courses and programs available throughout the state
- Assistance with the identification of resources for short- and long-term staff development planning
- When needed, to serve as Instructor of Record for your school's learning opportunities
- Help with planning a variety of learning opportunities that are student-focused and needs-driven, to include:
- BOOK STUDIES - focused, reflective and action-oriented
- STUDY GROUPS - leading to improved teacher strategies
- CUMULATIVE STAFF DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS - a variety of short-term learning opportunities, planned to meet your school improvement goals; instructional hours "banked" toward credit completion.
Serving South Central & Southwestern North Dakota
Jason Hornbacher, Ed.D.
Jason is currently the principal at Centennial Elementary School in Bismarck. He has worked with the Department of Public Instruction with the Response to Intervention initiative as well as the North Dakota State NCA committee. Jason has served as a teacher and administrator at both the elementary and secondary levels. His many contacts throughout the state, his professional interests, and his desire to make a positive difference in the lives of kids are sure to benefit those who seek his services.
Gerald Christianson, M.S.
Gerald (Gerry) has served as a consultant and facilitator of a data-based school improvement process for several ND schools. Gerald's administrative experience includes 6 years as a special education director and 23 years as superintendent in ND and Wisconsin. In addition to helping schools improve student achievement, he has strong interests in school finance and effective supervision of school personnel. Gerald's professional expertise in these areas will help guide educators and schools to achieve their goals for student learning.
Serving North Central North Dakota
Cynthia Jelleberg, M.Ed.
Cynthia is currently the Director of North Central Education Cooperative, one of eight North Dakota Regional Education Agencies across the state. Cynthia has teaching and administrative experience with public schools and colleges in Minnesota, Montana, and North Dakota. Her education philosophy aligns with a collaborative approach towards guiding educators to create strategies for developing a strong educational paradigm for all students.
Laurie Robinson, Outreach Specialist
Laurie Robinson currently serves the region as Outreach Specialist for Professional Development for Educators. Laurie Robinson is the former district curriculum coordinator of Grand Forks Public Schools in North Dakota. The leadership she provided in this position is the culmination of more than 30 successful years as a student-focused educator. As a member of the state task force for the North Dakota Curriculum Initiative, she authors and edits district and state curricula and assessments. An advocate for the Professional Learning Communities at Work™ school improvement model and sound assessment practices, Laurie is a seasoned presenter who has shared her knowledge with educators at local, state, and national levels.
Contact us to find out how we can work together to offer customized professional development for your school district or consortium.
