Professional Issues Committee
VESTA Policy Handbook

24. Professional Development / Professional Issues
B. Terms of Reference

1. The role of the VESTA Professional Issues Committee is to assist teachers in:

a. continuing to improve the quality of teaching practices
b. examining the purposes of education and of why schools exist
c. pursuing self-directed professional development
d. advocating for rights and responsibilities of students and teachers.

1985 May 14 Exec
2015 Oct 13 Exec

2. Professional Issues Committee responsibilities:

a. Provide advice to the VESTA Executive Committee and Professional Development chairpersons on professional issues.
b. Promote and support school-based PD activities that arise from an assessment of the teachers’ needs and concerns.
c. Initiate and collaboratively plan PD activities at the area or district level.
d. Provide the membership with information about BCTF grants and services, and local funding available for PD activities.
e. Promote control of PD activities and funding through the collective agreement to address professional development needs.
f. Maintain regular contact with PD liaison teachers and assist them with staff Needs Assessments and PD planning.
g. Have representation on:

i. VTF/VSB Joint Professional Development Committee
ii. BCTF Metro West Zone meetings
iii. Working and Learning Conditions/Bargaining Committee (VESTA, VTF)

2014 Nov 5 Exec

3. That the terms of reference for the VTF/VSB contractual Professional Development Committee be:

a. To advise on district plans, priorities and budgets in professional and staff development.
b. To provide advice to schools around funding issues e.g., a general picture of what’s available, an outline of current funding allocations and structures for supporting PD activities.

1995 Apr 06 Exec

The school-based Professional Development Committee is run for, and by teachers.  The committee is chaired by a teacher. The school Administrative Officer is an ex-officio member. Schools may choose to invite Support Staff to Professional Development meetings, but they are non-voting members and they have access to separate funds.  We encourage teachers from different roles (i.e. primary, intermediate, non-enrolling) to participate in the committee.  The Pro-D committee votes (1 vote per committee member) on recommendations to take to the Staff Committee for final approval.

• Temporary Supplemental Pro-D Fund: Guidelines for Use and Access
• Temporary Supplemental Pro-D Fund Application 2023-2024
• Teacher Inquiry Program (TIP) Project Application for PSAs 2022–23
• Teacher Inquiry Program (TIP) Project Application 2022–23
• Pro-D Reimbursement
• The Professional Development Lens
• Professional Development Funding at a Glance
• Professional and Staff Development Fund Worksheets
• VSB/VTF Conference Funds Sample Summary Sheet
• Building the VESTA School Union Team

• VSB/VTF Professional Development Handbook
• BCTF Professional Development
• Collaborative Inquiry – Temporary Supplemental Pro D Reimbursement Form
• Temporary Supplemental Professional Development Fund Application 2022-2023
• Collaborative Inquiry Fund Applications 2022-2023
• Suggested Self-Directed Pro-D Form
• Professional Development SURT 20 October 2020