Professional Development

Annual Requirements

All teaching staff are required to complete 5–20 hours of professional development annually, based on contracted hours:

  • Less than 10 hours per week → 5 hours annually

  • 10–20 hours per week → 12 hours annually

  • 20+ hours per week → 20 hours annually

At least one-third of PD hours must focus on diverse learners to ensure inclusivity and equity in practice.

  • Substitutes are not required to complete Professional development, but are encouraged to reach out to the Head of School if they are interested in a professional development opportunity. 

  • Administrators must complete PD relevant to their roles and responsibilities.

  • EEC-licensed educators are required to complete the EEC Essentials Training annually in compliance with state regulations.

DOCUMENTATION

All staff are responsible for tracking and documenting their PD hours each year.

  • A Professional Development Log is maintained in the office and must be completed by the end of the school year.

  • Early Childhood staff must record hours both in the EEC PQ Registry (www.eec.state.ma.us/PQRegistry/) and in the office PD log.

  • Staff can request to be reimbursed up to $300 annually toward their professional development.

Opportunities for Growth

Faculty are encouraged to attend workshops, seminars, and courses that:

  • Increase cultural competence and reduce implicit bias

  • Deepen understanding and implementation of Montessori curriculum

  • Strengthen communication and collaboration skills for a positive workplace

  • Address developmental needs of the age group taught

  • Support children’s specific life circumstances (e.g., military families, dual language learners)

Opportunities that involve absence from school or carry significant costs should be discussed in advance with the Head of School. Staff may request financial support and may be asked to share key learnings with colleagues at a staff meeting.

Professional Development & Training Topics

Throughout the school year, staff are invited to suggest ideas for staff training, workshops, and seminars. Topics may include:

  • Montessori philosophy and practice

  • Early childhood growth and development

  • Current educational issues and research

  • Classroom and behavior management

  • Health and safety practices

  • Curriculum enrichment

Training may be facilitated by PVMS staff or by guest speakers from education, psychology, and related fields.

Tuition Reimbursement

Pioneer Valley Montessori School (PVMS) supports the professional growth of its employees by offering tuition reimbursement for continuing education and certification programs directly related to their role or career advancement within the school. Full-time employees with at least one year of service are eligible to apply for up to $3,000 per fiscal year, covering up to 50% of tuition and fees for accredited coursework, Montessori training through MACTE-accredited institutions, and required materials.

To qualify, employees must submit a Tuition Reimbursement Request Form prior to enrollment and, upon completion, provide proof of payment and a grade of B or higher (or Pass in pass/fail courses). Approved reimbursements are processed within 30 days. Employees are expected to remain with PVMS for at least one year after course completion or repay the funds. Reimbursement is subject to budget availability, reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and excludes non-accredited or unrelated coursework.

The PVMS Tuition Reimbursement Policy and the Tuition Reimbursement Request Form are available in Appendix I: Policies, Forms & Procedures of this document.

Outside Observations

Observation is a fundamental practice in Montessori education, allowing educators to study children, classrooms, and learning processes with careful attention and fresh perspective. Visiting a class at another Montessori or educational program provides a valuable opportunity to observe different environments, teaching approaches, and community practices. These experiences deepen an educator’s understanding of Montessori principles, spark new ideas, and inspire strategies that can be brought back to PVMS to enrich our classrooms and strengthen our shared community of practice.

All full-time, contracted staff may take up to two paid Observation Days during the school year for the purpose of visiting other Montessori or educational programs relevant to their level of teaching. Specials teachers may take one paid Observation Day per school year. Staff are expected to complete an Observation Form for each site visited, documenting insights and reflections to share with the PVMS community.

Montessori Conferences

At PVMS, we deeply value the opportunity for our staff to connect with the wider Montessori community. Attending Montessori-related conferences offers rich professional growth, inspiration, and collaboration with educators from across the region and beyond. Events such as the Montessori Schools of Massachusetts Conference and The Montessori Event provide valuable insights that strengthen our practice and deepen our commitment to the Montessori philosophy.

While the School strives to support staff attendance whenever possible, financial assistance varies each year depending on the number of staff interested, conference location, and the School’s annual budget. We encourage staff to apply for support and will make every reasonable effort to help teachers participate in these valuable learning experiences. To make attendance easier, PVMS schedules teacher work days during The Montessori Event each year, allowing multiple teachers to attend without disrupting classroom coverage.

Those who attend are often invited to share highlights and key takeaways during a Lead Teacher Meeting or All-Staff Meeting, so the entire PVMS community can benefit from the ideas, strategies, and inspiration gained at these events.

Staff Meetings

Staff meetings at PVMS are an important part of fostering collaboration, communication, and professional growth. Different types of meetings are held throughout the year to ensure that staff are informed, supported, and connected as a community.

Lead Teacher Meetings

  • Frequency: Generally bi-weekly

  • Attendance: Required for Lead Teachers

  • Purpose: To address day-to-day business and program planning.

  • Typical Agenda Items: Calendar updates, upcoming school events, Board and PCO news, organizational planning, and professional development opportunities.

Level Meetings

  • Frequency: Generally bi-weekly

  • Attendance: Required for Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers

  • Purpose: To discuss Montessori curriculum, classroom practices, and student learning and behavioral needs.

All-Staff Meetings

  • Frequency: Once per month

  • Attendance: Required for all staff members

  • Purpose: To provide professional development and strengthen school-wide collaboration.

  • Compensation: Assistants and hourly staff will be compensated for attendance.

Margaret O'Shaughnessy