Watertown Public Schools

30 Common Street, Watertown MA 02472

Professional Development

Watertown Public Schools > Departments > Professional Development


Professional Development in Watertown Public Schools is committed to adult learning that enhances educators' knowledge, skills, and expertise. Through professional development, educators deepen their content knowledge, learn research-based instructional strategies, and strive to understand all student's' diverse learning needs while holding them to high expectations.

Professional development in the Watertown Public Schools is characterized by:
  • A systemic and close alignment with school and district improvement goals
  • Educator opportunities to choose appropriate professional development activities
  • Collaboration with colleagues to share knowledge, reflect on beliefs and practices, and problem solve Application of new knowledge, skills, and technology
  • A rigorous and intentional process that starts with data driven decision-making, cycles through the teacher learning process, and results in improved student learning

The Professional Development Council in collaboration with principals and curriculum coordinators plans and implements the Professional Development Program. The overarching themes of the program are: Teacher-to-Teacher Collaboration, Data-Driven Instruction, and Curriculum & Technology Integration. The program includes four main components:

  • District and/or School, (Student-centered)
  • Technology In Practice, (Pedagogy-focused)
  • Department and Grade Level, (Content-based)
  • Various Professional Development Models

Through various professional development models the program incorporates opportunities for faculty to participate in:  five full and two half-day professional days; workshops/seminars, task forces, independent and small study groups, curriculum planning, department professional development meetings, a Mentoring and Induction program, outside conferences, and graduate courses with tuition reimbursement. We have several professional development partnerships that extend and enrich our program, including: EDCO Collaborative, Primary Source, Focus On Math, November Learning, and Wide World. We use MyLearningPlan to manage our program and ensure that faculty has access to the opportunities that best suit their needs and professional goals.

Professional Development Council 2006-2008

HIGH School
Donna Calleja, Art Teacher, WHS
Lynsey Kraemer, Science Teacher, WHS
David Mastro, Social Studies Teacher, WHS
Maurin O'Grady, English Teacher, WHS
David Sheehan, Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, WHS
Michael Spillane, Math Teacher, WHS

MIDDLE School
Kimo Carter, Principal, WMS
James Duffy, SPED TeacherMiddle School
Elissa Quattrini, Science Teacher, WMS
Judy Zimmerman, Reading Teacher, WMS

ELEMENTARY Schools
Stephen Billhardt, Principal, Cunniff
Mena Ciarlone, Grade 4 Teacher, Cunniff
Debbie King, Grade 2 Teacher, Hosmer
Veronic Knight, Guidance, Lowell
Bill McCarthy, Co-Principal, Hosmer
Anne Sudbay, Instructional Technology Teacher, Lowell

K-12
Ann Koufman, Assistant Superintendent
Elisabeth Schaefer, Director of Student Services
Rob Stergis, ELL Director