Thanks to the generosity of donors and the success of our community events, the Foundation has been able to support the professional development of Belmont Public School teachers and staff for the last several years. Each year the BPS administration proposes a series of professional development initiatives, whose value is integral to the ongoing training of teachers and staff but whose funding cannot be found within the system's budget.

The goal of professional development programs, from the administration's perspective, is to improve teachers' knowledge and understanding of what constitutes quality instruction while linking improvements in teaching to progress in student achievement.

In May 2010, the Foundation earmarked $25,450 for programs that will benefit roughly 200 teachers and staff during the upcoming school year. Programs will include:

• Facilitator training for those teachers who will be leading Teacher Learning Teams over the 2010-2011 school year.
• "Studying Skillful Teaching," a Research for Better Teaching program for experienced staff;
• Membership in Primary Source, a provider of global education seminars and field study tours for teachers.

All of these programs are chosen by the Superintendent's Office and represent important pedagogical opportunities that are consistent with long-term BPS initiatives.