Professional Development comprises all those activities which have as their major purpose, the development of attitudes, knowledge, skills and concepts which will improve the competence and capacity of members in developing instructional programs and in carrying out these programs and will aid in their professional growth. (AGM 2002)
17.2 OBJECTIVES
i) To provide a means for members to grow professionally.
ii) To help members acquire new knowledge and skills.
iii) To up-date and renew existing knowledge and skills.
iv) To maintain member competence.
17.3 FUNDS
17.3.1 SHOULD it become obvious that all the funds allotted to a particular category are not going to be expended, be it resolved that the PD Committee be empowered to reallocate funds. (AGM, 1995)
17.4 INSERVICES
i) Members are encouraged to plan in-services in specialty areas and in areas which meet unique local needs. ii) The YTA encourages school staffs to exercise their right to determine and plan programs for non-instructional days. iii) YTA PD committee will initiate and support joint professional development days for elementary and secondary schools in alternating years between territory-wide conference years. (AGM 2002)
17.4.1 Planning an Inservice
The PD Planner form must be completed by the inservice planner and accompanied by any other relevant information.
This form must be received by the YTA office prior to the function in sufficient time to allow for the publication of the function and the processing of the applications. (suggested lead time is eight weeks.)
People initiating an inservice will be responsible for the organization of the inservice, the collection of registration fees, the distribution and collection of PD evaluation forms, and the submission of all approved inservice bills within thirty days after the close of the function. For more information, contact the YTA office.
17.4.2 Applying to Attend an Inservice
Applications for attendance at inservices should be received by the YTA office 21 days prior to the inservice. ALL individuals wishing to attend an inservice must submit the following forms to the YTA office: (Central Council Oct. 2002)
1. A PD 1 form completed by the inservice participant.
2. A Government Application for Leave form, signed by the principal.
3. A signed Authorization for Travel Form from rural applicants.
ALL FORMS TO BE SENT TO THE YTA OFFICE
17.4.3 Registration Fee
A registration fee may be collected from all members attending PD sponsored inservices. The amount of this fee shall be set by the PD Committee.
17.4.4 Inservice Evaluations
Inservice participants are required to complete and submit inservice evaluation forms to the inservice planner.
17.4.5 Criteria for Attendance at Local Inservice and Local Conferences
The criteria for Local Inservices and Local Conferences are as follows:
1. Applicability to experience of member.
2. Anticipated teaching assignment for the following year.
3. The Applicant's previous PD history.
4. Demonstrated willingness to share information gained from previous conferences or inservices.
17.4.6 Expenses - Participants
Inservice participants must submit a PD 2 form for travel, accommodation and meal assistance within thirty days of the closing of the inservice. Existing rates are described in the Description of PD Forms .
Members may apply mileage to airfare if they choose to fly.
When the PD Committee considers paying airfare it will take into account:
1. availability of other transportation 2. weather and road conditions 3. distance 4. time of year of inservice 5. number of sub days required for travel.
Emergency requests for authorization for an airfare may be approved by the PD Chairperson and the President.
PD hotel, meal and transportation rates as stated on the PD 2 form.
Those members attending out of territory conferences are encouraged to stay over for the Saturday night when the Saturday stay reduces the cost of the airfare. YTA will pay for the actual room charge for that Saturday night.
17.4.7 Honoraria
Honoraria for conducting inservices, may be paid to resource persons. (AGM 1995)
17.4.8 Public Attendance at Inservices
Where circumstances permit, and the organizers are agreeable, a limited number of the public may be permitted to attend an inservice.
17.5 CONFERENCES
17.5.1 Applying to Attend a Conference
1. Applicants must complete the relevant sections of a PD1 form. Indicate also which expenses you wish to claim.
2. Applicants must submit a Government Application for Leave Form, signed by the principal to accompany the PD1 form. Indicate the number of substitute days required under additional information.
3. Applicants must submit a signed Authorization for Travel Form.
4. Applicants must submit a Department of Education Out of Yukon Travel Details Summary Form.
5. Applicants must include a cover letter stating teaching area, numbers of years taught in Yukon, and the name/year of the last conference attended.
6. All due paying members, regardless of tenure may access funding for out of territory professional development.
Applications for attendance at conferences must be received by the YTA office forty five days prior to the conference date. (Central Council Oct. 2002)
17.5.2 The Criteria for Selection of Out of Territory Conferences are the following:
1. Priority placed by the Long Range Plan approved by AGM.
2. Teaching area of applicant compared to type of conference.
3. Availability of assistance either locally or less expensively.
4. Availability of local PD conferences or Western Canadian conferences.
5. The applicant's previous PD history.
6. When considering applications to designated conferences, an attempt should be made to share conference attendance between rural and urban representatives.
17.5.3 Conference Follow-up
1 The Pd committee requires that all out-of-territory conference participants share in a suitable format with other YTA members their new skills and/or knowledge and report this to the PD chair.
17.5.4 Conference Expenses
The following may be paid:
1. 75% of the Conference fee 2. Travel costs 3. Accommodations and Meal Allowance 4. Substitute Costs.
For detailed information see Description of PD 2 Forms: Expense Claims. For reimbursement of expenses, conference applicants must submit a completed PD 2 form within thirty days. Receipts must accompany this form. Applicants may collect a cheque for approved costs from the YTA office prior to the conference.
17.5.5 Summer Conferences and Workshops
The criteria for selection and funding of out of territory conferences will be applied to summer conferences and workshops.
17.5.6 PD Assistance for Members on Educational Leave
The PD Committee will cover no costs for conferences or summer school for members proceeding on, during or returning from educational leave in the belief that these members are receiving funds for professional development in the stipend provided by the government.
17.6 Visitations
The primary purpose of visitations is to allow members the opportunity to visit other members and resource persons within Yukon.
17.6.1 Applying for a Visitation
1 Applicants must complete the relevant sections of a PD 1 form.
2 A Government Application for Leave form, signed by the principal must accompany the PD 1 form. Indicate the number of substitute days required under additional information.
3. A signed Authorization for Travel Form from rural applicants.
4. Receiving members may apply for ½ day sub-time to conference with the visiting member.
These forms must be received by the YTA office 15 days prior to the visitation date. (Central Council Feb. 1998)
Prior permission must be given by the host member(s) and the Principal of the host school. The PD Committee will, if requested, help to set up an agenda for the applicants.
17.7 NON-CREDIT COURSES
17.7.1 Applying for PD Assistance for Non-Credit Courses
Members may apply for reimbursement of tuition fees, GST and course fees exclusive of student council, food and registrar fees. Reimbursement will be to a maximum of 75% of the allowable expenses to a maximum of $400.00. The maximum amount payable per member per school year for non-Credit Courses is $800.00.
Application must be made on a PD 3 form prior to enrollment. Payment will be made upon successful completion of the course. Receipts and, in some cases, marks must be submitted before payment will be made.
17.8 UNIVERSITY /COLLEGE CREDIT COURSE GRANTS
Criteria to be eligible for University/College Credit Course Grants a member must:
1. Be an active member of the Association paying fees in the year of application. 2. In the case of summer credit course grants, be returning to a position with Yukon Education the following year. 3. Have selected a course or courses which relate to a teaching field or to a relevant degree.
Applications for credit course grants may be submitted any time throughout the school year.
In order for a member to receive any reimbursement for credit courses, including correspondence courses, an application must be received by the Committee prior to the commencement of the courses(s).
Receipts and transcripts of marks must be submitted to the Committee within three months (90 calendar days) of the completion of the course(s). Members who have not received marks or transcripts must advise the Committee in writing by this date, and provide information as to when the transcripts will be available. Claims that have not been finalized within one calendar year of the completion of the course(s) will not be considered.
17.8.1 Financial Assistance for University/College Credit Courses
The Professional Development Committee will reimburse 75% of the cost of tuition, GST and course fees exclusive of student council, food and registrar fees for the course to a maximum of $600.00 per course for University/College Credit Courses. (AGM, 1998) The maximum amount payable per member per year is $1,200.00. (AGM, 1999)
17.9 Territory Wide Conference
17.9.1 YTA endorses a Territory-wide Conference every three years
DESCRIPTION OF PD FORMS
There are five PD forms which are available in all schools and the YTA website.
PD 1 FORM: APPLICATION FOR ATTENDANCE FORM
Procedure
1. All applications for attendance at conferences, inservices, and visitations must be submitted on a PD 1 form to the YTA office. Each pertinent section of the form must be fully completed.
2 A letter stating the applicant's reasons for wanting to attend a conference must accompany the form. In the event that there is more than one applicant and other considerations are equal, this will be used to help the PD Committee make its decision.
3 A Government Application for Leave Form, signed by the principal must accompany the PD form.
4. A signed Authorization for Travel Form from rural applicants.
5. An Authorization for Travel Form and a Department of Education Out of Yukon - Travel Details Summary Form must accompany conference applications
Unless exceptional circumstances prevail, the YTA office must receive all pertinent forms in time for the PD meeting, which allows 17 days before an in-territory and 30 days before an out-of-territory professional development event.
In the event that the principal's signature is withheld from the Application for Leave form, the applicant should forward the PD 1 form with a written explanation to the YTA office.
PD 2 FORM: EXPENSE CLAIM FORM
Procedure
1 The PD 2 forms must be submitted to the YTA office within thirty days after the close of the function.
2 Receipts for accommodation, air travel, and conference registration fees must accompany this expense claim form.
What is Claimable
Transportation
1 Vehicle - Transportation is paid at the rate of 27 cents per kilometer. A distance chart is printed on the inside back cover of this cover.
2 Airfare - Airfare will be paid where road travel is impossible or less economical. However, prior approval must be obtained from the PD Committee.
3 Bus - Bus fare will be paid to members who prefer to use public rather than private vehicle transportation.
Accommodation and Meals
The daily maximum allowance for hotel accommodation is $75 per person (receipt required). Private accommodation of $20.00 and a daily maximum meal allowance is $30 per person (no receipt required). Partial days, as determined by the PD Committee - Breakfast $7.50, Lunch $7.50 and Dinner $17.00.
Conference Registration Fees
Registration fees, which do not include accommodation or meals, may be subsidized by the YTA at the rate of 75%.
PD 3 FORM: NON-CREDIT COURSE TUITION FEE APPLICATION FORM
Members may apply for reimbursement of tuition fees for non-credit courses at the rate of 75% of the cost to a maximum of $400.00. The course must be related in some way to the member's subject area or university program. Payment will be made after the successful completion of the course.
Procedure
1. Application must be made prior to enrollment in the course on a PD 3 form.
2. The lower section of the PD 3 form should be submitted with receipts and in some case, marks after successful completion of the course.
PD 4 FORM: CREDIT COURSE TUITION FEE APPLICATION FORM
Members may apply for reimbursement of tuition fees for credit courses at the rate of 75% of the cost to a maximum of $600.00. The course must be related in some way to the member's subject area or university program. Payment will be made after the successful completion of the course.
Procedure
1 Application must be made prior to enrollment in the course on a PD 4 form.
2 The lower section of the PD 4 form should be submitted with receipts and transcripts after successful completion of the course.
PD PLANNER FORM: INSERVICE PLANNER FORM
The PD Planner is to be used by the person or persons planning an inservice.
Procedure
The PD Planner must be submitted to the YTA office in time to allow for the publication of the function and the processing of applications. (Suggested lead time is eight weeks.)
PD EVALUATOR: INSERVICE EVALUATION FORM
This form shall be completed by participants of PD sponsored inservices.
Procedure
1 PD Evaluator forms will be distributed by the Inservice Planner at the conclusion of the final session.
2 The PD Evaluator form must be completed by all persons receiving PD funds.
3. The completed PD Evaluator forms may be forwarded to the YTA office by the participants and/or inservice planner.
Yukon Educators may now view Professional development opportunities by logging in to their First Class Accounts. P.D. opportunities are posted on the First Class Desktop:
