Welcome everybody! 

Thank you watching our video about our professional development program in the United States Virgin Islands! Through this video, we hope to give you a glimpse into our overall program direction and how we've tried to adapt to the unique challenges that this past year has brought. We serve a wonderful, enthusiastic, and close knit community of educators, and we would be very interested in hearing your thoughts or ideas about our program. Additionally, if you have any thoughts about collaborating or connecting with other professional development initiatives or programs, please let us know.

Thanks again, and enjoy the showcase!

Hi Chris: Among others, I really liked the Teacher Talk Fridays idea implemented in your project.  I was wondering if you developed a research question on this particular component?  If yes, what the current data is pointing out?  Thanks, Mesut

Since I am a researcher, copresenter, and special educator, Iunderstand how important teacher engagement is to positive teacher morale. Fortunately, this program demonstrates how zoom can connect teachers to problem solve and work together to support each other during the pandemic. It is great to see the increased self-efficacy among the teachers in the Virgin Islands. Teacher self-efficacy impacts these teachers' ability to teach well and impacts how well their learners learn the curriculum.

I loved hearing from the educators! Do you think you'll continue with Teacher Talk Fridays virtually or in-person, if possible, into the future, considering their success?

Hi Kristin,

The teachers have expresses interest in continuing Teacher Talk Fridays next school year. We will definitely look into how we can continue this support group.

As a Crucian, this was an exciting video to come across! I loved hearing from those who continue to be  positively impacted by this initiative. It's so important to provide resources to educators, especially during difficult times. I'm proud to see this and want to congratulate you all on a job well done!

I thoroughly enjoyed viewing your video and learning about your project.  I saw one instructor mention that she has been in the program for five years!  Could you expand a bit more on how teachers are recruited into this support group?  Also, what does your data conclude as the greatest benefit of this support group for its participants?  Keep up the good work.

Good day Neela. Thank you for your comment! The level of motivation and commitment from our teachers always amazes me. We promoted TTF at some of our workshops last summer and sent email notices to territorial STEM teachers. Since it is a year-long program that is just wrapping up, it's still a bit too early to know for sure what the data will say.  

I really like the Teacher Talk Fridays; community building is one of the most effective ways to keep people connected, especially during the pandemic, though I hope you should continue them even as the effects of the pandemic end.

What a great idea!  Teacher Talk Fridays are needed for all educators  I hope you can get broader recognition for this idea.