Purpose of Teacher Improvement Meetings

The Lord has promised, "I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more" (2 Nephi 28:30).

Teachers and leaders will increase in their knowledge of the gospel and their ability to teach as they ask for the Lord’s help, learn new methods and skills, and strive to improve. Teacher improvement meetings can help teachers and leaders in this process.

In teacher improvement meetings, teachers and leaders meet to "instruct and edify each other" (D&C 43:8). They learn principles, methods, and skills that will improve gospel teaching and learning in Church meetings and classes and in the homes of members. They also share experiences and ideas to help one another in their efforts.

These meetings build on the fundamental principles taught in the Teaching the Gospel course. While the meetings may sometimes be devoted to fundamental principles, they should often focus on methods of teaching, such as asking effective discussion questions or using object lessons.

Format of Teacher Improvement Meetings

A teacher improvement meeting for teachers and leaders should be held once every three months.

Because the teachers and leaders who attend each meeting work with members in the same age-group, they can discuss teaching methods that are especially helpful for that age-group. They can also share experiences and discuss challenges they have in common.

Scheduling Teacher Improvement Meetings

Leaders of the participating organizations schedule teacher improvement meetings. The ward teacher improvement coordinator assists them. Members of the ward council coordinate schedules for the meetings.

The meetings should be held at times that are convenient for teachers and leaders. They should not conflict with the regular three-hour Sunday meeting schedule. Generally, they should not last longer than one hour.

Planning Teacher Improvement Meetings

Leaders of the participating organizations plan teacher improvement meetings. The ward teacher improvement coordinator assists them. They select topics for the meetings, discuss how the topics should be taught, and decide who should be asked to teach. Bishops may ask leaders to share their plans in ward council meeting.

In determining what should be taught in these meetings, leaders should consider the needs of teachers in their organizations. They may review the following materials for ideas on topics for the meetings: Teaching, No Greater Call, which includes many topics for teacher improvement meetings and ideas for teaching those topics; "Gospel Teaching and Leadership," section 16 of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders (1998); the Teaching Guidebook; and articles in Church magazines.

Leaders should use Teaching, No Greater Call during teacher improvement meetings. They should encourage participants to bring the manual to the meetings. Occasionally, a teacher improvement meeting may be devoted to teaching participants how to use the manual.

A teacher improvement meeting may include one or more of the following:

• A brief message from a member of the bishopric or another ward leader about a principle of gospel teaching or learning.
• Instruction on a specific teaching method or skill. This may include suggestions for using that method or skill in upcoming lessons. This instruction may be given by the ward teacher improvement coordinator or by another member approved by the bishopric.
• Time for teachers to share ideas about how they can help specific members they teach and how they can create a better learning atmosphere in their classrooms.

A leader from one of the participating organizations conducts the meeting.

Evaluating Teacher Improvement Meetings

Soon after each teacher improvement meeting, leaders of the participating organizations should meet with the ward teacher improvement coordinator to evaluate the meeting’s effectiveness. They may want to discuss the following questions:

• Did the meeting address the needs of the people who attended?
• Does anything else need to be done to meet those needs?
• What did we do well?
• What can we do to improve?

Adapting to Meet Local Needs

Where wards and branches cover large areas, leaders may need to adapt teacher improvement meetings. Some possible adaptations follow:

1. A half-day meeting held twice each year for all teachers and leaders.
2. Self-directed study. Suggestions for self-directed study are found in Teaching, No Greater Call,
3. Teaching seminars conducted by local members or missionary couples who are experienced gospel teachers. With the approval of the bishop and stake president, Church Educational System personnel may be asked to assist.