School Board Professional Development

An article about Board training caught my attention a few weeks ago as I was embarking on a trip to Central America that would include professional development sessions with boards of three schools in the region. The article's message was that, while boards may learn through PD sessions, that learning doesn't typically translate into transformation and often is not applied to what the Board does or how it does its work.

However, after completing professional development with St. Augustine Preparatory School (Managua), Christian Academy of Guatemala, and Inter-American School (Guatemala), I can report that these boards were intent on applying the learning and growth informed by the sessions and have a history of doing so. One distinct advantage is that we have an ongoing relationship as a consultant and Board, so there is an opportunity for longitudinal engagement, accountability, influence, and impact.

Each Board is building on prior learning, specifically related to strategic planning, mission and vision, ownership-governance structures, or the Board's supervision of the performance of the Head, topics addressed in response to each school's identified needs. Significant progress has been observed since our previous times together, and I expect that growth and maturing process to continue.

As I reflect on these experiences, I believe there are at least three fundamental reasons for the positive impact coming from these board professional development experiences:

1. These boards are committed to growth in the quality of their service to their schools and are willing to set aside time and resources to learn and grow.
2. The topics/material identified for the professional development of each school board are relevant and essential to the boards.
3. The boards work with a consultant-trainer who is familiar with their school and its context and who has a long-term relationship that promotes accountability and continuity.

Feel free to reach out to the GLOBAL School Consulting Group if your Board needs to leverage professional development for improved performance.

By Dr. David Wells