About Us
Contact Us
For consultation or to receive further information, contact:
Cheryl Erlandson, Director
Margaret Pillay, Associate Director
Ian Krips, Associate Director
Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit
2317 Arlington Avenue, Saskatoon, S7J 2H8
Tel: 306-373-1660 or 1-800-667-7762
Fax: 306-374-1122
E-Mail: spdu@stf.sk.ca
Organizational Structure
- Cheryl Erlandson - Director
- Margaret Pillay - Associate Director
- Ian Krips - Associate Director
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Management Advisory Board
- Ms. Kit Loewen, Chairperson, STF
- Ms. Jane Thurgood Sagal, Ministry of Education
- Mr. Darrell Paproski, LEADS
- Mr. Barry Bashutski, Saskatchewan School Boards
Association
- Dr. Michael Tymchak, University of Regina and SIDRU
- Mr. Brian Keegan, SELU
- Ms. Shelly Lord, STF
- Ms. Shalene Herron, STF
- Ms. Cheryl Wrishko, STF
- Ms. Marlette McLaughlin, STF
- Dr. James McNinch, University of Regina
- Dr. Pat Renihan, University of Saskatchewn
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Project Personnel (as required)
- Researchers
- Writers and Editors
- Developers
- Facilitators
- Project Advisory Committee
Members
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SPDU: A History of Professional Development
“Our greatest joy, no matter what our role, comes from creating. In that process people become aware that they are able to do things they once thought were impossible. They have empowered themselves, which in turn empowers those with whom they interact.”
(R. Quinn, 2001)
SPDU was created in 1987 with an overall mandate “to increase the effectiveness of inservice education in the province”; SPDU has established itself as a credible partner in Saskatchewan education. SPDU directors and staff have worked to ensure that programs and resources demonstrate SPDU’s commitment to honor educators as professionals, as autonomous and responsible decision makers and problem solvers, as researchers, and as learners and reflective practitioners.
As a result of our commitment to these values, principles and beliefs, SPDU has developed successful processes for both the development and delivery of its programs, resources and services. Throughout the development of each program and resource, SPDU writer/developers seek input, guidance and feedback from an advisory committee comprised of field practitioners. The process ensures that the final products created will not only be practical and immediately useful to teachers, but also that our values and beliefs are reflected in both the process and the product. Opportunities for extensive field-testing and on-going revision ensure that programs remain current. A similar commitment is made in our program delivery and administration. SPDU seeks to have programs delivered from educator to educator, professional to professional. In each instance, the adult learner is valued throughout a variety of processes such as workshops, seminars, consultations, collaborations and coaching.
Given the potential of large scale initiatives, technological trends, and Saskatchewan demographics, in the years ahead SPDU looks forward to the creation of effective partnerships which will further the professional expertise for teachers in Saskatchewan and in the wider educational community.
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Constitution
The Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit CONSTITUTION
1. Name
The organization shall be named The Saskatchewan Professional Development Unit.
2. Purpose & Beliefs
The purpose of the Unit is to create and provide high quality professional development resources and opportunities for the members of the teaching profession of Saskatchewan and to provide support for the educational community's pursuit of the same.
In fulfilling this purpose, the Unit believes that the resources and opportunities developed and delivered must:
- acknowledge and respect the existing professional knowledge and skills of educators;
- focus on deepening professional knowledge and skills with the goal of supporting student learning;
- include opportunities for dialogue, practice, research, and reflection in a supportive climate;
- be foundational to the on-going work of educators;
- be sustainable over time; and
- promote and enhance cooperation and collaboration between educators.
3. Objectives
The objectives for the Unit shall be the advocacy, development, and provision of:
3.1 consultative and capacity building services to those who plan and deliver professional development,
3.2 opportunities for the teaching profession that cannot be adequately accomplished at the local level,
3.3 networks for communication and influence amongst educational organizations regarding professional development,
3.4 an information network about exemplary professional development programs, resource persons and events,
3.5 resources and programs to support school boards, school staffs and local teacher associations in promoting understanding of the need for ongoing high quality professional development,
3.6 evaluation services related to professional development and professional development education.
3.7 synthesis, interpretation and dissemination of research related to professional development.
3.8 sustainable leadership and systems that promote the vision for high quality professional development previously provided.
3.9 partnership relationships with educational organizations provincially, nationally, and internationally.
4. Organizational Coordination, Management, & Administration
The Unit will be based in the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation Central Office, and the governance guidelines shall be the responsibility of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation.
The Unit will be organized with the following structure:
4.1 The STF Administrative Staff Coordinator(s)
The Coordinator(s) will be appointed by the General Secretary of the STF and will be responsible for the overall supervision of the Unit.
4.2 The Management Advisory Board
4.2.1 The membership of this board will consist of:
The STF Coordinator
The Director of SPDU
The Associate Directors of SPDU
The Associate Deputy Minister of Education
Representatives from:
STF Members at Large (4)
League of Educational Administrators, Directors, and Superintendents
Ministry of Education
Saskatchewan School Boards Association
University of Regina (Faculty of Education)
University of Saskatchewan (College of Education)
The Director or Designate of SELU
The Director or Designate of SIDRU
4.2.2 The length of term for representatives should be two years where possible.
4.2.3 STF Members at Large would begin with staggered terms of two and three years of duration to be followed with two year term appointments.
4.2.4 The STF Coordinator shall act as the Chairperson.
4.2.5 The role of the board is to provide advice and direction on the policies and programs of the Unit.
4.2.6 The Management Advisory Board will meet at least twice a year but, meetings may also be called at the request of the Chairperson.
4.3 The Director of the Unit
The Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation shall appoint a Director for the Unit. The Director, under the general supervision of the STF Coordinator, and in consultation with the inter agency Management Advisory Board of the Unit, will:
4.3.1 Provide liaison for the Unit with professional development planners, teachers, and School Division administrators.
4.3.2 Supervise the development and delivery of programs pursuant to the main purposes of the Unit.
4.3.3 Collaborate in cooperative efforts with SELU and SIDRU wherever possible.
4.3.4 Coordinate administrative functions of STF services and activities which can be appropriately integrated under the Unit.
4.3.5 Assist in the development of long term plans for the Unit.
4.3.6 Develop evaluation procedures for the Unit's programs and services.
4.3.7 Administer all aspects of the Unit on a day-to-day basis.
4.3.8 Facilitate communication with Unit staff, STF representatives, and the members of the Management Advisory Board.
5. Staff
5.1 Staff will be employed on a regular or contractual basis as the need arises.
6. Reporting
6.1 The Unit shall provide an annual report to the Management Advisory Board, the STF Executive, and any other interested agencies. This report shall include a financial statement for the fiscal year ending June 30.
7. Amendments To The Constitution
7.1 Amendments shall be subject to the ratification of the STF Executive.
Adopted by STF Executive May 23, 1987
Amended by STF Executive December 3, 1988
Amended by the STF Executive November 6, 2008
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