Professional Development Plan

Each year the district's Professional Development Committee (PDC) develops a plan for professional growth and development for the certified staff members which addresses the needs as identified through survey of staff, analysis of student performance data, the Missouri School Improvement Program, and the district’s Strategic Plan. The District PD Plan for the 2025-26 school year was approved by the school board on June 11, 2025.

Professional Development Plan Goals for 2026-27

All professional development will support the District Mission, Vision, Strategic Plan, and MSIP 6 standards. The FPS Professional Development Goals are designed to support the goals, strategies, and action steps outlined in the Strategic Plan and the MSIP 6 comprehensive guide.

Goal 1: Establish a collaborative process to study and train educators on the MTSS framework with the goal of systematic and full implementation to determine how to phase in the practices of MTSS (universal screening, data teams, high-quality Tier 1 instruction, interventions, including behavior, etc.). (MSIP, TL7, DB4)

Goal 2: Establish a process that reviews the behavior and socio-emotional support systems that have been and are being implemented and research various systems to determine an evidence-based approach to supporting the behavior of students beginning with early education through high school. This process will be utilized on a District-wide basis. (MSIP, CC2)

Goal 3: The school system ensures all instructional staff participate in scheduled, ongoing, job-embedded, and content-appropriate professional learning focused on evidence-based instructional practices, staff growth goals, and student performance goals outlined in the CSIP. (MSIP, TL8)

Goal 4: Evidence-based instructional practices are implemented to ensure the success of each student. A model of instruction will be developed to maintain clarity about foundational elements of teaching and learning and to support the onboarding of new instructional staff. (MSIP, TL6)

Beginning Teacher Assistance Program

• BTAP Meetings will be held quarterly for Year 1 and Year 2 participants. Meetings will be held during the workday, from 9 am to 3 pm.
• Year 1 Meetings will be held in the FMS Library.
• Year 2 Meetings will be held in room 103 at Bush Elementary. 
• Completion of the 2-Year BTAP program is a certification requirement in Missouri.

Mentors & Buddy Teachers

• Each 1st and 2nd year teacher is assigned a mentor by their building principal. The same mentor stays with the new teacher for both years when possible.
• Experienced teachers joining the district will be assigned a buddy teacher to support their onboarding during the fall semester. 
• Mentors are not evaluators. Mentors are required to complete a list of duties each month to support your successful induction into the profession.
• Mentors will meet with beginning teachers throughout the year to cover a variety of topics. They will assist in the development and completion of an individual professional development plan.

Building Meetings

• New teacher meetings will be scheduled with building principals throughout the year.
• Monthly meetings may be scheduled before or after school.

Continuing Education Reimbursement

Fulton Public Schools believes in supporting the professional development of its employees. Professional staff, as defined by Board Policy GCA, who seek reimbursement for earned college credit, professional licensure (e.g., supervision, licensure examination), additional DESE certifications, and/or continuing education units that are either related to the field of education or are related to assigned job duties may be eligible for reimbursement.

• Click here to learn more

MPER Early Career Scholars Program

Beginning teachers (Years 1-3) have a unique graduate learning opportunity at the University of Missouri as part of our district membership in the Missouri Partnership for Educational Renewal (MPER). The MPER Early Career Scholars Program is a two-year, online master’s program designed to support early career educators during the beginning phase of their career. This program is open to new teachers as well as rising 2nd and 3rd year teachers who are graduates from any institution. MPER Scholars are full-time teachers in MPER districts and are eligible to receive a 50% tuition sponsorship for all program courses.

Network for Educator Effectiveness

Fulton Public Schools uses the Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE) platform for teacher development and evaluation. A library of resources known as the EdHub Library is available on the NEE platform. EdHub provides more than 300 online professional learning resources within the NEE Data Tool for easy access to educator professional development.

Virtual Learning Platform

The Virtual Learning Platform (VLP) is an online portal that provides access to free professional learning modules and supporting materials to all Missouri public schools and their teachers. The system is available to teachers and school administrators through the DESE Application Sign-in (DAS) system and can be accessed at any time and used as a reference for users once the courses are complete

Request for Professional Leave

In-District PD Evaluation

Evaluation surveys will be emailed directly to certified staff from PDC members on each district PD day. Feedback will be reviewed at the building and district PDC levels to support teacher development and continuous improvement.

Out-of-District PD Evaluation

Please complete an evaluation survey for any external professional development that is supported with district funds (registration fees, travel, lodging, meals, substitutes, etc.). Click on the link below to complete the evaluation. This information will be reviewed by the PDC every month.

• Out-of-District PD Evaluation Form

Professional Development Survey

The FPS Professional Development Committee has developed an annual needs assessment survey to support continuous improvement and PD planning. The survey asks staff to reflect on district focus areas and specific training that would be helpful for each person's teaching assignment. The Professional Development Survey is implemented annually in April and helps inform the development of professional learning goals and the district professional development plan. 

Responsibilities

• Create a professional development plan that is tied to the District Strategic Plan and MSIP 6 Standards, based on identified needs, created in consultation with the administration, and submitted to the Board for approval.
• Promote the district’s professional development program.
• Evaluate the Professional Development Plan annually and make appropriate recommendations for change.
• Work with beginning teachers to coordinate and facilitate the mentoring program.
• Coordinate and facilitate assistance from the teacher education program where the teacher graduated if such assistance is provided.
• Assist beginning teachers in developing and completing an individual Teacher Professional Development Plan (TPDP) required of all teachers with an Initial Professional Certificate (IPC). The mentor will initiate preparation of the plan and will assist the teacher in tailoring the plan to his or her needs. Goals identified in the plan will relate to the evaluation criteria used in the district, and copies of the initial plan and all subsequent revisions will be readily available to the teacher and mentor for review and revision.
• Work with all teachers to identify instructional concerns and remedies, serve as a confidential consultant upon a teacher's request, as allowed by law, arrange training programs for mentors, assess needs, develop in-service opportunities, and present the superintendent or designee staff suggestions, ideas and recommendations pertaining to classroom instruction.
• Work with support staff to identify needs and develop in-service opportunities.
• Consult with district administration on all facets of the Professional Development Plan.
• Select programs that reflect the results of any needs assessments survey, coordinate with the District Strategic Plan and MSIP 6 standards, and are based on recognized standards for staff development, such as the Professional Learning Standards from Learning Forward.

Important Dates