What really happens at teacher in-services?

By: Suzanne J

            As students enjoy their day off on a teacher in-service day, many of them have wondered what the teachers are actually doing at the school on these days? Do they sit at their desks all day and mess around? Do they go and play games all day pretending they’re working hard? Since students are not around to see what is going on, it is surprising what some think happens on these days. Unfortunately, what really happens on these days is nowhere near their wild ideas.            

Teacher in-services are professional development days when teachers become the students. This year’s focus for in-service training is on the ICC (Iowa Core Curriculum), a new statewide set of standards with the purpose of ensuring that all school districts in Iowa are teaching similar curriculum that each student needs to learn. Some teacher in-services keep teachers abreast of new teaching practices while many other in-service days see teachers analyzing test data and then documenting that data. The faculty learns strategies about how to improve instruction for all levels of students and how to implement technology into the curriculum. Contrary to popular belief, teachers rarely have time to check assignments, plan new units, or figure grades on these days.

            Next time there is a teacher in-service, students should feel thankful to have the day off. The next time they find themselves thinking that teachers just don’t understand what it is like to be a student, they will have to remember that their teachers spent at least 17 years to earn their degrees, and through ins-services and licensure requirements, they will be a student for the rest of their teaching careers.