Professional Development

Link to PD Request Form

ISNS values professional development and regularly supports teachers who would like to take part in workshops and conferences.  Professional development at ISNS must be aligned with the school’s mission, vision and strategic plan.  IB training is the first priority for our school but other worthwhile events are considered.  All teachers must receive IB training at some point.  To apply for a professional development opportunity, please complete the online an PD application form.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUEST PROCESS

IB   Events Step 1– The participant or PYP/MYP/DP Coordinator requesting the PD will fill in the form to include all sections (flight, hotels etc.)  and invoices, where possible.  The Coordinator or the Director of Program Development will register the attendee – this is not to be done by the attendee. Step 2– The Director of Program Development approves the PD (or not) and works with the Administrative Office to begin making needed arrangements for payment, accommodations or transportation.   Step 3– Once all arrangements and payments are finalized, receipts and booking confirmations will be sent to the Director of Program Development and kept on file.    Step 4– The Director of Program Development will inform the attendee(s) of all booking and travel arrangements. Step 5– The attendee(s) fill out the online Leave Form. Step 6– The attendee(s) make additional arrangements for duties or class coverage in collaboration with administration.   Step 7– Upon return, the attendee fills in the online Request for Business Travel Expense Reimbursement form.

Non-IB  Events Step 1– The person requesting the PD will fill in the form to include all sections (flight, hotels etc.). Step 2– The request should be discussed with an HOD, Coordinator or the appropriate Administrator.  Once relevance and need are understood, the online form should be completed.  If the Director of Program Development has a question, he or she will consult the appropriate leadership team members. Step 3– The Director of Program Development approves the PD (or not) and works with the Administrative Office to begin making needed arrangements for payment, accommodations or transportation. Step 4– Once all arrangements and payments are finalized, receipts and booking confirmations will be sent to the Director of Program Development and kept on file. Step 5– The Director of Program Development will inform the attendee(s) of all booking and travel arrangements. Step 6– The attendee(s) fill out the online Leave Form. Step 7– The attendee(s) make additional arrangements for duties or class coverage in collaboration with administration.   Step 8– Upon return, the attendee fills in the online Request for Business Travel Expense Reimbursement form.

Important Points: 

The standard number of PD events a faculty member may expect to attend is one or two per year.  If additional free or inexpensive opportunities arise, the faculty member is generally permitted to participate in more events.  Please understand that the PD budget is limited and requests exceeding the standard limit are likely to be denied.

Any cancellation of a PD event by the teacher will result in the teacher having to pay for all nonrefundable expense related to the event such as hotel, airfare and registration.

PD forms submitted prior to contract renewal (for teachers whose contract is ending), may be held until the teacher renews his or her contract.  PD requests from teachers who are departing from ISNS will likely be denied if the PD is to take place during their final semester.  Any teacher who breaks his or her contract will be responsible for reimbursing PD costs for PD events that were approved with the assumption that the teacher would be continuing employment at ISNS.

The PYP, MYP and DP Coordinators will select PD that is relevant to the current needs of their programs. IB PD plans are approved prior to the beginning of the academic year and the budget is fixed.

Changes or additions to the IB PD plans are approved by the appropriate administrator.

All staff attending workshops and conferences will be asked to debrief their coordinator or administrator and asked to create a workshop for the ISNS professional learning community.

Non-IB PD will be selected based on relevance and need. When possible Department Heads should discuss the PD opportunities with the potential attendee prior to submitting the PD request form.

The Director of Program Development will discuss submitted requests for non-IB PDs with the appropriate member of the leadership team and together they will make the final decision and inform the candidate.

We generally do not to send first-year teachers off-campus for PD unless it is an IB requirements (DP CAT 1, IB Coordinator training).  Depending on relevance and need, events in nearby locations such as Hong Kong may be permitted, especially those related to inclusion, counseling or student support services.

In order to receive discounts for early bookings, please submit this form 30-60 days before the event.

Staff are required to produce coverage material for any classes missed, as well as coverage for any duties or activities missed.

Teachers are expected to arrange coverage of their classes with the assistance of the appropriate administrator.

Hotel, Transportation and Per Diem

All coordinators, teaching staff and counselors are required to share a room where appropriate (same gender).  Faculty have the option to request (prior to the trip, on the PD request form) a single room accommodation with the understanding that they are responsible for paying the difference in cost out of their own pocket.  Both individuals in the shared room must agree to do this.  If an odd number of faculty are attending an event so that one individual gets a single accommodation, the individual with the most seniority at ISNS will be selected for the single accommodation.

If a faculty member chooses to use a cross-border van (or other premium transit service), rather than the ferry or local transportation (bus or subway), this will be included in the per diem.

Expense for transportation to entertainment sites or personal site seeing are not to be submitted for reimbursement.

Faculty should use their per diem responsibly and save costs whenever possible.

The school will provide travel insurance for staff who are Chinese passport holders while they are traveling outside of China for professional development or school business.