In November, in the city of Minsk, Republic of Belarus, in-person seminars on the professional development program for teachers based on the SAM (Student Achievement Monitoring) diagnostic tool were successfully conducted

The events were held in collaboration with experts from the Research Center of the Academy of Education, ensuring a high level of preparation and delivery. More than 30 primary school teachers from educational institutions across the republic participated in the seminars.

The professional development program for teachers, designed using the SAM diagnostic tool, is a comprehensive educational course aimed at enhancing the professional competencies of primary school teachers. The program’s foundation lies in analyzing pedagogical practices and their impact on learning outcomes, enabling teachers to adopt modern teaching approaches and improve the quality of the educational process.

The program’s goal is to provide teachers with tools and methodologies for a deeper understanding of educational processes, organizing learning activities, and achieving high student performance at all levels of education. It focuses on developing key pedagogical actions that create an effective educational environment.

The program comprises several modules developed in alignment with contemporary educational standards and L.S. Vygotsky’s cultural-historical development theory. The modules cover the following aspects:

1. Lesson Planning and Organization: Participants learn to form core subject concepts, organize problem-solving activities, and stimulate students’ critical thinking.
2. Interactive Teaching Methods: Teachers are trained in methods for organizing discussions, collaborative learning, and project-based activities.
3. Working with Information: Emphasis is placed on developing students’ skills in critical information assessment and research activities.
4. Assessment Practices: Teachers study how to integrate formative assessment to boost students’ learning motivation and self-evaluation.

The program is delivered through various formats, including in-person seminars, workshops, and webinars. A strong emphasis is placed on practical activities: participants develop mini-assignments, analyze real pedagogical situations, and learn to adapt approaches to different learning conditions.

Both the introductory and final stages of the course include teacher testing using the SAM diagnostic tool, enabling the evaluation of professional growth, identification of areas for further development, and measurement of progress. Participants receive recommendations for improving their teaching practices based on the testing results.

The program contributes to the professional development of teachers, the implementation of innovative teaching methods, and the creation of an effective educational environment, positively impacting students’ learning outcomes.

The seminars’ primary objective was to introduce teachers to modern approaches to organizing the learning process aimed at developing students’ subject-specific competencies. The program included interactive lectures, workshops, and practical assignments, allowing participants to master both theoretical aspects and practical applications of the methodology. Particular attention was given to key pedagogical actions such as lesson planning, utilizing problem-solving activities, organizing discussions, and assessing students’ learning activities.

The practical portion of the seminars involved working with the SAM diagnostic tool. Teachers learned how to interpret diagnostic results, identify problem areas, and develop intervention plans. Each participant received individual consultations from trainers, enabling more effective mastery of the proposed methodologies.

At the end of the seminars, participants highlighted the high educational and practical potential of the sessions. They expressed gratitude to the organizers for providing an opportunity to improve their qualifications and gain new knowledge applicable in their daily work. The events underscored the importance of an interdisciplinary approach and collaboration between educational institutions and research centers.

The in-person seminars in Minsk marked a significant milestone in implementing the teacher professional development program, demonstrating the importance of collaboration between Russian and Belarusian educational structures to enhance education quality.