A new interactive catalog allows school leaders and early educators in the Omaha area to explore 20-plus professional learning workshops.
Offered by the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska, the professional learning catalog describes free opportunities available to the 11 school districts and child care programs in the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties as part of the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan.
Topics covered include early literacy and math, family engagement, child development, and school leadership. Institute staff are continually adding new topics based on feedback and district needs.
Here is a Q&A with several tips for using this new resource:
Who Can Request Professional Learning Sessions?
In the Omaha metro, school and child care leaders with a minimum of 15 participants can choose from the list of offerings to address the professional learning needs identified in their action plans.
Sessions are also available to schools and programs outside the Omaha area by request.
How Do I Search the Online Catalog?
Users will see a high-level overview of professional learning sessions on web “tiles.” To learn more about a particular session, click on the title or image for a brief description, learning objectives, workshop length, and whether a session is intended for in-person or online learning.
What Guidelines and Standards Are They Based On?
The sessions are aligned with the Institute’s School as Hub framework and Nebraska Department of Education Early Learning Guidelines and Core Competencies. Soon, filters will be added so users can search sessions by topics like “math” or “family” or select sessions based on guidelines and standards.
How Can I Sign Up for a Workshop?
To schedule a workshop, school officials and child care providers can contact the Institute staff members who serve their district or reach out to Kimberlee Telford.
Can Workshops be Modified to Meet our District’s Specific Needs?
All sessions can be modified based on length, audience, and specific focus.
How Do I Use the Catalog As a Tool When Creating a District Action Plan?
A school district would use the professional learning catalog as a strategic resource when developing its annual action plan by aligning available professional learning opportunities with identified district priorities.
Once goals and key actions are established, leaders can select workshops that directly support those objectives and incorporate them into specific action steps. The catalog helps ensure that professional learning is high-quality, relevant, and aligned with the School as Hub framework.
It also offers a clear set of options for leaders, teachers, and family engagement staff to support district goals, ensuring that professional development intentionally advances the district’s strategic priorities.