Approximately 500 Poudre School District teachers are collaborating on a variety of instructional topics during the Summer Institute for Professional Learning 2012 being held June 4 -15 at the Johannsen Support Services Center Information Technology Center and Kinard Middle School.

These ten days of structured professional learning provide staff a much needed opportunity to focus on instructional improvement efforts while not being out of their classroom.

This year's Summer Institute sessions include: Secondary Technology Integration, PreK Readiness/Literacy, Elementary and Secondary Science, a variety of Career and Tech. Education topics, Elementary and Secondary Social Studies, World Language, Elementary Specials, Elementary and Secondary Math, Gifted and Talented, Elementary and Secondary Literacy, Counselors, and Integrated Services. Within subject area classes, participants will engage in a variety of projects such as common assessments, curriculum alignment, unit development, best practices, and technology integration.

Each year, a portion of the mill levy dollars funds professional development activities for staff including support for implementing the Colorado Academic Standards, development of common assessments, integration of standards and 21st Century skills into units of study as well as teacher collaboration to ensure alignment across grade levels and subject matters.