Incorporating the SchoolSims Simulation Library into your teacher professional development programs will allow you to provide experiential learning opportunities in a safe space, just like a pilot obtains using a flight simulator. Simulations enable participants to tackle difficult situations, make decisions, and deal with the consequences of those actions in a safe environment, gaining practice that they can tap into when necessary. Our simulation categories include topics such as equity, social-emotional issues, difficult conversations, and more, all while aligning with CAEP and InTASC professional standards.
Below, you can read more about why independent school teachers across the country are relying on simulations for their professional development programs.
A teacher’s involvement in a school has the greatest impact on student progress. Teachers that participate in SchoolSims simulations face challenging situations that are common occurrences in the classroom and navigate the consequences in a safe space. This experiential learning opportunity helps teachers better understand what goes on in a classroom and in a school. As a result, there is a more positive culture and climate at school and higher student achievement.
Each simulation is developed in partnership with an independent school, school district, college/university, or school support entity. We ensure that the topics covered by the SchoolSims’ Simulation Library relate to many of the issues facing the schools of your enrolled students. We add 5-7 new simulations each year and also refresh existing simulations so that they stay current. By incorporating simulations into your existing curriculum – either facilitated in groups or deployed asynchronously – participants gain practice and begin to develop the essential muscle memory to make the best decisions in real life.
Our TeacherSims topics include:
Preview the simulation library here.
A simulation places you in the role of a teacher, where you will have to navigate the many challenges that you are faced in this role on a daily basis. For example, our Parent-Teacher Conference simulation places you in the role of a teacher where you must navigate a difficult conversation with a parent about the performance of the student. In a choose-your-own-adventure format, you will decide the best course of action, implement it, and experience the consequences, all within the same exercise.
SchoolSims will provide training on our simulation library, how and when to use the simulations, and a one-hour session on how to facilitate simulations with Dr. David De Jong, the Chair of Educational Leadership at the University of South Dakota.
SchoolSims pricing is based on the number of participants in the cohort that will utilize the simulations. Request pricing here.