Changing patterns: A case study of staff development activities in an urban middle school

Changing Patterns is the case study of three staff develoment programs carried out over an eight year span at the John W. McCormack Middle School located in Dorchester, MA. Each of the programs is described in detail in order to illustrate the theoretical framework created by the review of the literature. The review includes two areas: the staff development needs for experienced urban teachers and a definition of early adolescence. The review of the personal and professional needs of experienced teachers facing middle adulthood concludes that staff development in school can meet those needs. The definition of early adolecence is presented because of the importance of teacher training including the developmental needs of the learner. From interviews with teachers who participated in the first year it is clear that teachers generally understand the needs of early adolescents although they do not always address the intellectual needs of their students in a daily instruction. However, teachers do show an interest in participating in staff development programs that offer them some autonomy and responsibility. The incentives most frequently identified for participation in such programs were personal growth, team building among staff members, and usefulness to their students. The power of role models underlined most of what they said and did