Professional Development 丨RFLS Held MYP PD Session
Seventy teachers and staff gathered in the Exhibition Hall to attend the first MYP PD session. Everyone enjoyed a heated discussion on MYP.
Wang Fuli, Principal of RFLS attended this event and delivered a speech. She emphasized the importance of MYP and encouraged teachers to learn more about this new way of teaching. “MYP might seem to be complicated, but I believe if you are willing to learn, you could make it!”
Later, the MYP coordinator Ms. Wang Yue gave a simple summary about the progress of MYP implementation at RFLS. She introduced the achievements we have made and future efforts we need to devote. At the same time, she expressed her appreciation to MYP team members for their help. They are Zhang Ying and Zhang Shiwei (Science Department), Liu Shuang (Math Department), Wen Yanding and Zhang Xuechen (Chinese Department) and Quan Liqing (English Department), Ma Jun and Zhan Xiaoying (administration), as well as Antonio (Physics Department and IB Center).
BRS head librarian Mr. Zhao Bingqing was invited to attend the activity. He pointed out that MYP is a teaching mode based on inquiry learning. Zhao put forth that the library could provide more services to the school, including searching and purchasing academic resources, supporting students’ researching and writing assignments, helping with international database and so on. His speech changed teachers’ stereotype about library: It’s not just a quiet place for reading, but a multi-functional service station.
Antonio Flores is a teacher with 25 years’ experience in IB teaching and he is also a trainer from BRS IB Center. He designed a series of activities to help teachers have a deeper understanding about the key concepts in MYP project. For example, learner profile, inquiry teaching and learning, creating learning environment, MYP assessment criteria and curriculum framework.
Teachers were divided into groups to talk about MYP and compete with each other on MYP knowledge. The discussion was full of passion, cheering and laughing.
After the fierce team match, Antonio Flores pointed out that the inquiry mode of teaching would be an important part in the next coming school year. Students from next year at RFLS would start their MYP learning journey and develop their global mindset.
At the end of the activity, teachers wrote down their reflections on this event. “This event gives me a clear picture of the progress of MYP implementation in our school. Through group discussion, I have obtained a better understanding of MYP. What’s more, I find that the library could provide more help to us teachers, which is quite meaningful.” Some teachers say that they are still not very familiar with MYP and need more practice on writing unit plans.
The reflections are precious and valuable. All the teachers are devoted to this event and they are all looking forward to the next professional development session.
