Lisa Roy, Ed.D., moderated an inspiring and informative conversation with Sharon Hopper, Sarah Brown Wessling, Michelle Accardi and Cindy Hadicke, Ed.D. Each speaker shared details of their organizations’ professional development programs and resources, and talked in depth about barriers facing teachers and districts today when it comes to accessing high-caliber professional development. They highlighted the importance of students, families and communities, as Sarah Brown Wessling pointed out:

“You have to know your students, the story of their community, their family, their home. Going through the National Board process, teachers learn how to embrace community as part of student academic growth. This is a really wonderful example of how this is more than certification.”

Throughout the discussion, all the speakers commented on the worthwhile investment opportunities that are out there for schools, districts and states to take advantage of for teacher professional development, and the importance of investing in teachers so that we can invest in student success.

“When we know better, we do better. If we can have a core of teachers who know better, just think of the good we can do.” –Cindy Hadicke, AIM Institute