At A.B. Paterson College, we are dedicated to equipping students with essential 21st-century skills that prepare them for both academic success and future careers. Our 2024 staff professional development has focused on continuing to strengthen our wonderful culture of learning, grounded in Harvard’s Teaching for Understanding framework, while also enhancing digital literacy, social and emotional skills, and real-world problem-solving.

This week, staff gathered for our Celebration of Practice, a professional development session to share and reflect on strategies that promote deep understanding and student engagement. Teachers presented approaches that combine the Teaching for Understanding framework with best practices, such as Visible Thinking Routines, to foster critical thinking, meaningful connections, and lasting understanding in students. These strategies help students move beyond rote learning to apply knowledge in real-world contexts.

A key success for 2024 highlighted in our celebration of practice was the innovative integration of technology into the classroom. Staff shared how AI tools have been used in the Secondary School to support inquiry-based learning, allowing students to explore diverse perspectives and engage in complex problem-solving. By embracing inquiry-based learning models, our teachers empower students to explore meaningful topics, ask questions, and make connections to real-world issues.

Our Celebration of Practice highlighted our teachers’ dedication to creating vibrant, innovative classrooms that inspire students and strengthen our culture of deep thinking and understanding. We are excited to continue this journey next year, building on the momentum and insights gained.

Thank you for your continued support as we nurture lifelong learners ready to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

Anna Whannell | Director of Teaching and Learning