"Talk doesn't cook rice." ~Chinese Proverb

There's so much that needs to be done to support teachers to perform at their best, I sometimes don't know where to start. But what I do know is that we have to take action. We can't afford to get bogged down in endless theoretical debates that don't produce actual steps to be taken. Looking at the landscape of education in Arizona, there ought to be more change happening. Of course, there are significant obstacles, including the recent and extremely acute budget cuts. But the truth is some arguments simply go on and on and never produce real outcomes.

If we're not happy with our professional development, we educators need to take charge and do something about it. We can't wait for outside entities to get this accomplished for us. We can't waste the time. Our mission is too urgent. Students don't stop going to school. They can't take a decade off while we sort it all out. For students, the opportunity to learn is now. Or never.

That's why here at the Center we're focused on action. We talk to educators, find out what they need and put together programs that speak to these needs. We have a healthy impatience with postponement and delay. In a sense, action is our study, because by providing new professional development we can see what works and what doesn't. And in the process, teachers are learning, being rejuvenated and gaining new tools to excel.

Now, as we're planning for next year's professional development calendar, we want to hear from you. Share your thoughts with us on teacher quality and professional development. What do you need? What type of program or training would make a real difference in your practice? Give us your input. Respond directly to us by email at info@azk12.org. Or visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/azk12 to tell us what type of support you'd like to see included in the future. We're ready to take action.