2025-2026 DSBN Professional Development Dates and Topics
All school and school board staff have an important role to play in supporting student success, safety, resilience as well as the mental health and well-being of all students. The DSBN recognizes and values the importance of professional learning that enhances educators’ knowledge and skills for the effective support of all students and staff. It is important to equip staff with the knowledge, skills and tools to provide relevant learning that supports curriculum differentiation based on specific needs of students and meets the diverse learning needs of all students. Staff at the DSBN engage in professional development in a variety of different ways. These include, but are not limited to, learning components of monthly staff meetings, job embedded learning with colleagues and instructional coaches during the school day, DSBN facilitated workshops after hours, additional qualification courses facilitated by DSBN staff in partnership with post-secondary institutions.
Professional Development Days (PD Days) are another valuable learning opportunity for school staff. For the 2025-2026 school year, professional development days are scheduled for the following dates:
September 19th, October 10th, November 28th, January 16th (Elementary only), January 29th (Secondary only), February 13th, June 5th (Elementary only), June 25th (Secondary only) and June 26th.
Summary of PD Activities for Elementary Schools
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Location: All Elementary Schools
Time: Morning
Focus: Tackling Racism
Activities: Development of Strength Based Learning Profiles to guide instruction and interrupt bias.
Time: Afternoon
Focus: Literacy & Numeracy
Activities: Facilitation Guides to support instruction in literacy and numeracy
Resources Used:
- Curriculum Documents
- Math Achievement Action Plan
- Growing Success
Summary of PD Activities for Secondary Schools
Date: October 10, 2025
Location: All Secondary Schools
Time: All Day
PD Focus:
- Tackling Racism
- Student Achievement Plan & School Improvement Planning
Activities:
- TACKLING RACISM
Engage in learning sessions on anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and the promotion of inclusive education: Teachers will engage in discussions and activities focused on developing practices and strategies to remove barriers and create more inclusive, supportive class and school environments, free of discrimination in any form.
Collaborate on embedding equity in curriculum:Work in subject teams to review curriculum expectations and identify strategies to integrate human rights, equity, and inclusion across all secondary schools.
- STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT PLAN & SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING
Develop action steps for student success: Create or refine school-based strategies that support achievement and pathways to graduation.
Resources Used: