Exchange Day for Professional Learning

Why is the district offering an Exchange Day?

Gregory-Portland ISD seeks to educate, inspire and empower our high-performing and engaged workforce through the continuous professional development of our staff members. The district has established an exchange day built within our 2024-2025 Academic calendar to foster individualized professional growth and contribute to exceptional student performance.

An Exchange Day for Professional Learning is mutually beneficial to staff and the district. The approach:

Offers individual and campus empowerment and flexibility around professional learning.
Sharpens the focus of professional learning around district initiatives and priorities.
Encourages a variety of forms and structures for professional learning.
Increases access to professional learning while reducing teacher time away from instruction and substitute costs.

Who can earn an Exchange Day Credit?

What is an Exchange Day?

The Exchange Day plan provides an opportunity for individualized and relevant professional learning for our professional employees. These credits may be exchanged for Monday, April 21, 2025. The Summer 2024 Learning Opportunities Catalog has been developed based on staff feedback that aligns with our District Priorities. All sessions offered in the catalog are approved professional development options for the Exchange Day, with the exception of Camp-Learn-A-Lot or any other district compensated training.

When can Exchange Day credits be earned?

How are professional learning hours for Exchange Days submitted?

How are professional learning hours for Exchange Days submitted for approval?

Any G-PISD professional employee who works a 187-217 day calendar will complete an Individual Professional Learning Plan using this form (or use this fillable version). Plans must be pre-approved by the campus principal or supervisor. Plans will be submitted and approved as part of their “end of year” check out. Important note: Registration is required in Eduphoria/Strive for professional development.

Professional learning approved by the district will count toward professional learning hours, unless it is a training for which staff is compensated, such as Camp-Learn-A-Lot. The district will track all locally provided professional development through Eduphoria/Strive.

Any professional learning occurring outside of the district must be relevant to your position or approved by the campus principal or supervisor using this form (or use this fillable version). Staff will be responsible for uploading certificates into Eduphoria/Strive for learning received outside of the district.

A full day of training or 6 hours will be considered equivalent to one day of exchange time.

Attending Professional Learning Outside of the District?

FAQ

Can I present a professional learning session?

What if the employee does not have any professional learning hours that apply?

Who monitors portfolios to determine if the requirements for the Exchange Day has been met?

Can my supervisor require me to go to a specific professional learning?

Does Eduhero count towards the Exchange Day?

Why can't we count Camp-Learn-A-Lot towards the Exchange Day?

What is the difference between "paid" and "compensated," and why does it matter?

"Paid" professional learning means that there was a cost to attend a professional learning, most likely outside of the district. The district or school might pay for the training, but you can still use it towards the Exchange Day.

"Compensated" professional learning means that you were personally compensated to attend professional learning. An example of this is Camp-Learn-A-Lot provided by the district and at which teachers are compensated $40 per hour. Compensated professional learning does not count towards the exchange day because you have already been compensated for your time.

Can I bring my child to professional learning?

Can I earn an Exchange Day on a work day, but after my shift or duty day?

Can personal days be used to attend professional learning that counts towards the exchange day?

Can staff stay on campus to close out the year or to help the campus administration with designated duties in lieu of attending professional learning?

What about newly hired teachers?

What about staff who were hired late and did not have the opportunity to earn their days?

Professional employees who are hired after the start of the school year but before the end of the first semester will develop an Individual Professional Learning Plan with their campus principal or supervisor. Any professional employees hired after first semester will be required to use personal leave or request dock pay for the absence if they have no personal leave.

Is professional staff retiring at the end of the 2024-25 school year required to earn credit towards the Exchange Day?

I work more than 217 days. Do I qualify for an Exchange Day?

I work less than 187 days. Do I qualify for an Exchange Day?

What if I'm an instructional or SPED paraprofessional?

Eligibility for Compensatory Time: Starting August 1, 2024, non-exempt employees (hourly/paraprofessionals) can participate in learning opportunities and other activities outside of their regular school hours with supervisor approval. They can accrue up to 7.5 hours of compensatory time, which can be used on April 21, 2025 (designated as an Exchange Day on our 2024-2025 calendar).

Qualifying Activities: Eduhero courses completed outside of regular school hours, with supervisor approval, are eligible for compensatory time. Additional fall learning opportunities and supervisor-approved activities will be announced as they become available. You must remain "clocked in" to earn compensatory time.

Compensatory Time Usage: If a non-exempt employee does not have 7.5 hours of compensatory time by April 21, 2025, they may be required to fulfill other duties on that day or take a personal day.