Providing high quality professional opportunities is critical to supporting your growth and professional development. In Belmont, professional learning is supported through in these ways:

• Professional Development Meetings (faculty, department, and curriculum meetings) led by Principals, Directors, and Curriculum Specialists focusing on district, school, and program goals and strategic initiatives

• Professional development courses, seminars, workshops, and study groups led by BPS educators and partner organizations (held during meeting and early release times as well as optional times after school, evenings, weekends, and summers)

• Funds are set aside in the budget to reimburse teachers who choose to take district sponsored courses that are highly recommended, as well as other graduate level courses from accredited degree granting institutions.

As you plan your professional development for the year, it is our hope that these workshops and opportunities will support your Professional Practice and Student Learning Goals as well as your ongoing learning and growth.

UPDATE TO GRADUATE CREDIT REIMBURSEMENT AND SALARY ADVANCEMENT GUIDELINES March 31, 2026:

Effective immediately, Belmont Public Schools will no longer accept coursework offered through the Albion Center at Idaho State University for graduate credit reimbursement, lane movement, or salary advancement.

This decision follows careful review of publicly available information and documentation regarding courses offered through the Albion Center. Reports indicate that these courses are pass/fail, 100% quiz-based, allow multiple quiz attempts, require minimal substantive work, and do not identify a qualified instructor of record responsible for providing feedback and evaluating assignments. Additionally, the university does not accept Albion Center coursework toward its own degree programs.

Click here to read the complete update on the district policy

Click here to read and FAQ Document to answer questions regarding the change in district policy

UPCOMING DISTRICT SPONSORED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Studying Skillful Teaching This is a foundational course which is highly recommended by the district. It is designed to improve your students’ achievement through lesson planning, high expectations, and formative assessment with a focus on social emotional learning and culturally responsive teaching.

Click here to view the course overview

IDEAS 1 Through MA School Superintendents Association:

The IDEAS1 Course can also be taken through the MA School Superintendents Association. MASS provides on-going virtual sessions of IDEAS 1 at different days and times throughout the year. As a member of MASS BPS Educators pay a member tuition rate of $800.00 for tuition and 2 graduate credits. The IDEAS 1 Course is eligible for tuition reimbursement as a highly recommended course.

Click here to view the flyer with the schedule and times for the next two sessions.

GRADUATE CREDIT/TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

• Overview of Graduate Credit and Tuition Reimbursement Process

• Frontline Tutorial for requesting approval for Graduate Credit and Tuition Reimbursement

• Frontline Professional Growth How To Video

• W-9 Form to receive reimbursement.  (Submit only the first page of the form). W-8BEN Form for Non-US Citizens

LICENSURE INFORMATION

• Licensure Information

• BPS Form 19 - Re-certification Reimbursement

WEDNESDAY MEETINGS SCHEDULE and PDP TRACKING

• Wednesday Meetings and Early Release Schedule 2025-26

• Tracking Professional Development Points (PDPs) using Frontline

STUDY GROUPS

Staff members are encouraged to propose and participate in study groups.  Teachers and administrators who share a common interest form the Study Group.

• Study Group Process Overview

• Study Group Proposal Form