Professional Development Services

Professional Development Services (PDS) is committed to providing high-quality, affordable services in professional development for administrators, educators, business staff, parents, and the community.  Our goal is to address the training needs of Willamette Education Service District (WESD) staff and participating school districts by providing quality professional development opportunities.  Various PDS programs are also available to state and educational agencies throughout the state of Oregon.

Services Provided

The PDS Program is designed to address the training needs of WESD staff and participating school districts by providing quality professional development opportunities. PDS supports existing staff development at WESD by collaboratively working with outside educational agencies. In addition, PDS provides local assessments for paraprofessionals seeking a certificate to meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act "highly qualified" guidelines. For more information, please review the Paraprofessional Assessment & Training website. PDS can also facilitate classes and workshops for teachers and school districts when necessary.

Current Grants

• Arthur Vining Davis Grant
  As of September 2009, the Arthur Vining Davis Grant is currently being implemented in partnership with Willamette University (WU) and selected school districts.  One of the main goals of the grant is to increase the skill level of current high school teachers working with English Language Learning (ELL) students and their families.
   

• Oregon Mentoring Grant
  The Oregon Legislature funded the Oregon Mentoring Program for the 2009-2011 biennium and this will be the third year WESD will participate in the program. The aim of the program is to improve student achievement and develop successful teaching methods to teachers across the state.  Based on research, the grant is a proven way to help impact student growth as well as increase the number of teachers and principals that successfully stay in the profession.  For more information, please review the Oregon Mentoring Program website.