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Studying Skillful Teaching 1 (SST1)
is a 36-hour course that supports teachers in improving
student achievement by promoting the development of
a professional community, examining beliefs about teaching
and learning, expanding instructional repertoires, experimenting,
and reflecting on instructional decision making. The
course is open to all contracted professional staff
(teachers, media specialists, school counselors, instructional
specialists, staff development teachers, administrators,
etc.). Successful completion of SST1 is required for
all staff development teachers and instructional specialists,
and recommended for those who aspire to leadership positions.
Studying Skillful Teaching 2 (SST2)
is a 36-hour course that builds upon the conversations
initiated in SST1. The course helps teachers identify
and eliminate obstacles to student achievement, develop
a classroom climate conducive to learning, make students
active agents in assessing their own learning, and collect
and use data related to student performance. The course
is open to contracted professional staff members who
have successfully completed either SST1 or OAT1.
Participants in SST1 and SST2 sections that meet outside
the duty day may take courses for continuing professional
development credit (CPD), graduate credit, or stipend.
The cost of graduate credit is reimbursable upon successful
timely completion of the course. Participants in SST1
and SST2 sections that meet during the duty day do not
have these options.
Courses are generally offered twice yearly: beginning
in the summer, with completion by January; and beginning
in January, with completion by May. Registration for
these classes usually opens on IMS in March for summer/fall
sessions and in October for winter/spring sessions.
For questions about registration, contact Margaret (Peg)
Donnellon via FirstClass or phone (301-601-4800).
Online
Training Calendar:
Directions
to the Center for Skillful Teaching (PDF)
Performance
Standards, Criteria, and Descriptive Examples |
What kind of credit can I earn for Skillful
Teaching and Leading courses?
Both of the Studying Skillful Teaching and Observing
and Analyzing Teaching courses may be used in a variety
of ways as “credit.” In Montgomery County
Public Schools, if a course is going to be used for
salary advancement (moving from Masters pay scale
to a Masters + 30 pay scale) the credit must be earned
outside of the duty day in the evenings or on Saturday.
In addition, participants cannot be paid a stipend
for taking the course. Based on these regulations,
Skillful Teaching and Leading coursework can be used
as “credit” in the following ways:
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If you wish to use the course for
salary advancement, you must take the course for
graduate credit or for Continuing Professional Development
(CPD) credit. Studying Skillful Teaching 1 and Studying
Skillful Teaching 2 are the only course offered
for CPD credit. All Skillful Teaching courses have
a graduate credit option through a partnership with
Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, MA.
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You must take the course outside
of your duty day, such as in the evening or on
the weekend.
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You cannot be paid a stipend if
you are taking the course for graduate credit
or CPD credit.
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If you take the course for graduate
credit, you may be reimbursed for the tuition.
Information on tuition reimbursement is found
at the following address: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/departments/
dsd/tuitionreimbinfor.html
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The current cost for each course
is $225 for three graduate credits from Fitchburg
State College.
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A special exemption is made for
Observing and Analyzing Teaching 1 and Observing
and Analyzing Teaching 2 courses regarding graduate
credit. Since the courses are required for instructional
leaders, graduate credit is available but it is
not reimbursed since participants are taking the
course during the duty day and are therefore getting
paid to take the course
- If you already have an advanced professional certificate
(APC) from the Maryland Department of Education (MSDE)
you can use the Skillful Teaching and Leading courses
as credit to renew your MSDE certification. Check
your certificate to determine if you have APC, or
check with your school. Each spring the school receives
a list of staff members’ certification. This
method does not permit you to use the course towards
salary advancement.
Credit information on specific sections of each course
can be found on the Organizational Development registration
page of the Instructional Management System. In addition,
instructors will distribute information at the first
session. If you have questions regarding credit for
a course you are interested in, please call 301-601-4800.
If you have questions and are currently enrolled in
a course, please ask your instructor.
What do I do with my certificate/grade slip
once I have completed a Skillful Teaching and Leading
course?
If you took the course for graduate credit through Fitchburg
State College, send the original grade slip from Fitchburg
State College to Sandra Sengstack, Certification Coordinator,
Metro Park North, Office of Human Resources. Please
retain a copy for your records since the original must
be forwarded from Certification to MSDE.
If you took the course for CPD credit, staff from the
Office of Organizational Development will send a copy
of the CPD credit slip to Sandra Sengstack. Participants
do not need to send their copy of the CPD credit slip
to Sandra Sengstack.
If you are not taking the Skillful Teaching and Leading
course for graduate credit or CPD credit, but wish to
use it renew your MSDE advanced professional certification,
forward a copy of the “Certificate of Completion”,
sent to you by your instructor, to Sandra Sengstack,
Certification Coordinator, Metro Park North, Office
of Human Resources. She will update your file upon receipt.
What do I do if I have not completed my Skillful
Teaching and Leading course?
If you have not completed your Skillful Teaching and
Leading course call your instructor at 301-601-4800.
S/he will know if you are still eligible to complete
the course and what steps must be taken to meet standard.
Course work may be made up within a semester of the
course completion date.
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