Continuous Professional Development of Teachers: Need of the Hour

Abstract

School systems today are concentrating on ever-increasing demands such like reducing the achievement gap, adopting fact-based practices, meeting adequate yearly progress goals, managing the requirements of special-needs students and remaining current on the increasing amount of pedagogical and content area research. Therefore, teachers must keep abreast of the important advances that are occurring in education. The complexity of teaching is so great that teachers, new or old, take years to gain the knowledge and skills they need to be effective in their roles. This is where professional development comes in. Professional development is a growth that occurs through the professional cycle of a person. Professional development of a teacher is the process of improving skills and competencies needed to produce outstanding educational results. The paper highlights the need and importance of continuous professional development of teachers.