The Cyprus Pedagogical Institute (PIK) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth organized a workshop on "The power and dynamics of the interaction of different roles for the development of a culture of professional learning at school". The Workshop was held on Thursday, 19 May 2022 at the Journalists' House in Nicosia, while the proceedings of the Workshop were webcast live.
The Workshop was addressed to teachers of all levels and focused on the interaction between teachers during the implementation of the Pedagogical Institute's Professional Learning Support Programme (PLS) in schools, a special programme which aims at professional learning and empowerment of teachers in their schools through the creation of professional learning communities. The workshop emphasised the different roles that make up the interaction and collaboration teams (principal/headteacher, professional learning programme coordinator/coordinator, PIC facilitator/supporter, teachers, inspector/inspector) and how they all contribute together towards the development of a professional learning culture in the school.
The Programme of the Workshop included a brief welcome by the Director of the Pedagogical Institute, Dr Athena Michaelidou, who stated that this Workshop, the first in person since the pandemic, demonstrates the importance of developing a culture of professional learning in schools as a key factor in improving the school organisation and ultimately learning outcomes. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Mr Prodromos Prodromou, addressed the conference, focusing on the importance of teachers' professional learning, which has shown positive results for our education system, as it focuses on practical issues concerning the school and school reality. The Minister's address was read by the Director of the Pedagogical Institute.
The conference continued with a presentation by Mr. Marios Vryonidis, Vice-Rector for Research and External Affairs of the European University Cyprus, Professor of Sociology and Sociology of Education, on "The development of a culture of professional learning in schools". The participants then discussed in groups and presented findings around the ways in which different roles promote interaction within the school.
This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Pavlina Hadjitheodoulou-Loisidou, Head of the Training Section at the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute on "The role of the supporter of the Pedagogical Institute in developing a culture of interaction within the school". Afterwards, Dr. Yiannos Sokratous, professional learning coordinator in a high school, and Mr. Dimitris Nikolaou, primary school principal, shared examples from daily practice in their schools participating in the YEM Programme, highlighting ways and applications of interaction, synergy and collective reflection between all roles in the school. In addition, Ms Maria Angelidou, a kindergarten inspector, presented her own experience of working with three kindergartens that had participated in the YEM Programme before the pandemic.
Afterwards, delegates had the opportunity to talk to representatives of all schools participating in the YEM Programme in the exhibition area of the posters prepared by the schools.
Finally, the delegates responded to questions raised via a digital web application on proposals for actions for the next school year, followed by a discussion. The need for continued interaction between all roles inside and outside the school and even greater collaboration between inspectors and teachers on professional learning issues was highlighted.
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