Why should I care about Professional Development?
Professional Development is critical for supporting effective teaching and learning. Professional development allows teachers of health and other subjects to:
- Stay up-to-date in their field;
- Learn about and be able to teach effective curricula;
- Gain skills for providing high quality, engaging, standards-based, instruction;
- Improve their ability to conduct valid assessment of students and more!
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What Professional Development opportunities are available through the thrive e-Academy?
thrive e-Academy
The thrive e-Academy was launched in 2004 to provide flexible, online professional development opportunities primarily for Rhode Island Teachers of Health (health teachers, health/physical education teachers, school nurse teachers and general classroom teachers who teach health). Each program provides in-depth training on key topics and offers teachers the opportunity to review relevant materials, participate in structured learning activities, and contribute to facilitated discussions with their peers and RIDE staff.
Programs vary in length and offer up to 30 teacher professional development contact hours; some programs offer nursing or other CEUs. All programs are free of charge.
Upcoming Courses
These are professional development programs that take place entirely online. They begin and end on specific dates. Participants do not need to log in at any specific times. However, participants must log in regularly and stay up to date with weekly assignments in order to receive credit.
Availability is limited. Individuals may register for only one course during each session. Dates and offerings are subject to change. Courses are currently open to Rhode Island school personnel only.
Please note: Due to a loss of funding, we no longer anticipate being able to offer any of our other courses or tutorials. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Logging In
For those who are currently enrolled in a course and have received a username and password from thrive e-Academy staff, please see the course login instructions.
Advantages of on-line learning
On-line or distance learning allows professionals working in different locations to come together around a topic of interest and form a community of practitioners. On-line programs:
- Save time and money for participants who would otherwise have to travel to a training;
- Provide flexibility, allowing participants to access information at the time and pace most convenient for them;
- Increase participants’ familiarity and comfort with technology;
- Provide materials that participants can print for future reference or share with colleagues and community members; and
- Reduce the need for teachers to leave their students and for districts to pay for substitutes.
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What other related Professional Development opportunities are available?
Professional Development Offerings in School Health, Health Education and/or Physical Education
Rhode Island Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (RIAHPERD)
RIAHPERD is the Rhode Island affiliate of AAHPERD, a professional association for health educators, physical educators, and other specialties. RIAHPERD provides professional development opportunities that increase knowledge, improve skills, and encourage sound professional practices.
Eastern District Association (EDA) of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
EDA hosts an annual convention along with other professional development opportunities.
Rhode Island Certified School Nurse Teachers
The professional association for School Nurse Teachers in Rhode Island provides current information about school nursing and school health to school nurses and the general public. They also provide professional development opportunities and events for RI certified school nurse teachers.
Health Education and Promotion Network (HEP Network)
The American Association for Health Education (AAHE) and the Foundation for the Advancement of Health Education (FAHE), in conjunction with universities across the U.S., are offering graduate level courses and articulated degree programs entirely through distance education technologies.
General Professional Development Offerings
RIDE’s Professional Development Website
This is a searchable database of all professional development opportunities that have been approved by RIDE's Office of Educator Quality and Certification.
RITOH Listserv
RITOH - Rhode Island Teachers of Health “Yahoo Group” (listserv)
This listserv is for any K-12 teacher in Rhode Island who teaches health. It is an open forum for any interested teachers (HE, HE/PE, School Nurse Teachers, etc.) to:
- Share information, news, trainings, legislative updates, and other resources;
- Ask and respond to each other’s questions;
- Confer about curricula, lessons, and teaching strategies; and
- Discuss issues and challenges in schools.
To subscribe, email RITOH-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Whom do I contact for more information?
Anne Marie Silvia
HIV/AIDS Sexuality Specialist
Rhode Island Department of Education
401-222-8951
AnneMarie.Silvia@ride.ri.gov
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