Investing in Our Teachers, Investing in Our Children

At Ellis, we know that passionate, supported educators are the heart of every child’s success. That’s why we invest deeply in professional development (PD), giving our teachers the tools, guidance, and coaching they need to inspire curiosity, confidence, and growth in every child.

Ellis has steadily been increasing PD since 2022, after the height of Covid-19 saw children needing extra support to recover from social-emotional setbacks. Targeted teacher trainings helped meet those needs.

“Through full-day workshops and monthly afternoon PD sessions, teachers engage in learning experiences that strengthen classrooms and advance our continuous quality improvement plan,” says Claire McNally, Vice President of Programs.

This August, Ellis hosted two PD days. One focused on responding to child behaviors and “invitations to play,” a hands-on approach encouraging children to learn through self-directed exploration. The second was a dedicated transition day, allowing teachers to prepare classrooms for the next school year and establish classroom routines.

Because Ellis operates year-round, transitioning into a new classroom—and a new chapter—can feel abrupt. Lisa, a preschool teacher for the Breakers in 66 Berkeley, says the transition day allows for a smooth adjustment as students begin in their new classrooms.

Past PD has focused on family-child relationships, nature-based learning, supporting children with special needs, and social-emotional development. Collaborations with Neighborhood Villages and Flamingo Early Learning provide access to college courses, classroom coaching, and leadership development. Every teacher creates an Individual Professional Development Plan, ensuring growth is intentional and goal-oriented.

“Ellis offers so many trainings,” says Sarah Bukhari, a teacher at Ellis Jamaica Plain. “I really take advantage of that.” For Sarah, these in-house opportunities have been critical to continuing her professional growth while balancing life as a working mother of two.

Ellis’s new Center of Excellence (CoE) further supports this progression. Focused on program quality and teacher support, the CoE works to close opportunity gaps and set children on a path to lifelong success through an educator-first approach. As part of its work, the CoE’s six Classroom Excellence Partners focus on providing teachers with the tools needed to integrate skills and knowledge into their daily classroom practice.

“Teachers have demonstrated incredible eagerness to participate in these learning opportunities,” says CoE Director Allegra Taylor, “we’re ensuring professional development translates into meaningful impact for students.”

Professional development at Ellis isn’t an add-on—it’s a promise. By equipping educators with knowledge, skills, and support, we strengthen classrooms today and shape a brighter future for every child.