Continuing Professional Development
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a structured approach to learning that helps teachers and education professionals keep their skills and knowledge up to date. It includes activities like workshops, training sessions, conferences, and online courses that educators participate in throughout their careers. Think of it as ongoing learning for teachers - just like doctors need to stay current with new medical treatments, teachers need to stay current with new teaching methods and educational technologies. It's sometimes also called 'Professional Development,' 'In-Service Training,' or 'Teacher Training.'
Examples in Resumes
Completed 40 hours of Continuing Professional Development annually in classroom management and technology integration
Led CPD workshops for new teachers on effective assessment strategies
Organized monthly Professional Development sessions focusing on inclusive education practices
Coordinated district-wide Continuing Professional Development program reaching 200+ educators
Typical job title: "Professional Development Coordinators"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Professional Development Coordinators
Professional Organizations
Online Resources
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you design a school-wide professional development program with limited budget?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate experience in program planning, budget management, and creative solutions like peer-to-peer learning, leveraging free online resources, and building internal capacity for training.
Q: How do you measure the effectiveness of professional development programs?
Expected Answer: Strong answers should include methods for gathering feedback, tracking classroom implementation, measuring student outcomes, and using data to improve future training programs.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What strategies would you use to engage reluctant teachers in professional development?
Expected Answer: Should discuss approaches like needs assessment, personalized learning paths, practical application opportunities, and creating supportive learning communities.
Q: How do you maintain records of staff professional development activities?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of tracking systems, certification requirements, and documentation procedures for professional development hours and completion.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What makes an effective professional development session?
Expected Answer: Should mention elements like clear objectives, interactive activities, relevant content, and practical takeaways that teachers can implement immediately.
Q: How do you identify training needs for different staff members?
Expected Answer: Should discuss methods like surveys, observation, feedback forms, and individual conversations to understand teacher needs and preferences.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic workshop facilitation
- Understanding of adult learning principles
- Event organization and scheduling
- Basic needs assessment
Mid (2-5 years)
- Program development and implementation
- Budget management
- Training evaluation methods
- Stakeholder communication
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic program planning
- Leadership and mentoring
- Data analysis and reporting
- Policy development
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience in education or training delivery
- Poor communication or presentation skills
- Lack of understanding of adult learning principles
- No experience with program evaluation or assessment
- Unable to demonstrate flexibility in training approaches
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Future-Proof Your Workforce: Embracing Lifelong Learning
Navigating Compliance: Structuring On-the-Job Training in Regulated Industries
Digital Apprenticeships: Crafting the Future Workforce Pipeline
