Professional Learning, Curriculum & Instruction

May 6, 2026

The work of Mount Vernon's Teaching, Learning & Leadership office sits at the intersection of three connected systems: professional learning, curriculum, and instruction. We hold these together intentionally — because lasting growth in student outcomes happens when adults in our system get better at the same time the materials and instruction get better.

What this looks like in practice

Professional Learning

We design district-wide PD around the curricula in use and the instructional moves we're trying to grow. Sessions are facilitated by trained instructors (district staff, content specialists, or vetted external partners) with clear outcomes, supporting materials, sign-in records, and post-session evaluation. See Professional Development for the full PD framework.

Curriculum

Curriculum work spans selection (see Secondary Curriculum Renewal Process), implementation, and ongoing refinement. We treat adopted curricula as starting points — not scripts — and support teachers in adapting materials to their students while staying faithful to the program's research base.

Instruction

Mount Vernon's instructional vision emphasizes high-quality first instruction for every student. Instructional Coaching and Job-Embedded Instructional Support bring this vision into daily classroom practice with side-by-side coaching, lesson study, and peer observation.

Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST)

The Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) is one way new teachers in Washington are provided support through comprehensive induction and a coaching model. Read more about the BEST program and grant information (OSPI).