Lead by Attending

Our district is offering a series of technology-related workshops for staff. Attendance is supposed to be mandatory, but I'm hearing many complaints about it being unimportant and a waste of time. How can I encourage teachers to stick with it?

Your comment about 'hearing' complaints makes me wonder if you've attended any of the workshops yourself. While you may not be able to get to all training offered, your presence (or lack of presence) at mandatory trainings sends a very clear message to your staff about how much you value their professional development.

Your staff's comments about irrelevance and wasting time may be way off base, or they could be right on target. However, unless you're there you won't know. Plan to participate in future workshops. It will make a difference!

Submitted by: Susan Brooks-Young