Staff Development
The faculty at Aurora understands that they are teaching in a very special place. The teaching staff comes to Aurora because they know they will work in an extremely supportive and collegial environment. Teachers are encouraged to teach in the ways they know are supported by research and their own experiences and instincts. The teaching staff has a leadership role in developing and delivering curriculum and content.
This ownership of their professional responsibility, teamwork and respect for each other's gifts are reasons Aurora is such a vibrant learning place. Our teachers are highly trained professionals and life-long learners dedicated to the growth and well-being of the children they serve.
Aurora's faculty members are continuously expanding their skills by participating in workshops, in-services, conferences and taking courses related to their field. We respect our teachers for their professionalism and support them in working to further hone their craft.
Professional Development Workshops attended by staff
- Gender Fluidity Awareness and Sensitivity Training
- Beyond Diversity
- California Alliance of African American Educators
- People of Color In Independent Schools Annual Adult Conference
- Positive Discipline for the family, classroom and school community
- Special lessons from the Bay Area Math Project (BAMP)
Each year the staff chooses an educationally relevant and timely book for group discussion. Some titles have included:
Books read and discussed by Aurora staff and parents
- White Teacher
by Vivian Paley - Other People's Children: Cultural Conflict in The Classroom
by Lisa Delpit - Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
by Beverly Tatum - Does Anybody Else Look Like Me? A Parent's Guide To Raising Multiracial Children
by Donna Jackson Nakazawa - We Can't Teach What We Don't Know White Teachers, Multiracial Schools
by Gary Howard - Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents to Know
by Sherrie Eldridge - The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini - Quirky Kids
by Perri Klass and Eileen Costello
Films used for staff development and film discussion evenings
- Last Chance For Eden
- Daughter From Danang
- Crash
- That's A Family