Talking Stick - November/December 2014 - 10

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PD for Free: That's a Wrap
It has been a pleasure to bring you PD for Free over
the last 12 issues of the Talking Stick. I cannot think
of a better way to wrap up the column than with an
interview with one of our field's most renowned experts
on professional development: Pamela J. Schreiber,
director of housing and food services at the University
of Washington in Seattle.
KM: How do you define professional development?
PS: To me, professional development is synonymous
with learning, and therefore what defines professional
development is anything that helps you learn what you
need to know in order to be successful in your job. For
example, a friend is taking an improv class and shared
that it is full of people in a variety of professions seeking
to improve their skills in thinking on their feet. There's
the second grade teacher who wants to take cues from
her students in offering more creative class projects
and the guy from a start-up company who is repeatedly
called on at the last minute to do presentations but
finds that nerve-wracking. I'm seriously considering
taking this class to improve my skills in doing media
interviews, taking questions at Board of Trustee
meetings, and being more comfortable with those onthe-spot "would you say a few words at the start of the
program" requests.
KM: Why is professional development important for
housing practitioners?

identifying professional development opportunities that
provide the knowledge and competency development
you need.
KM: What has been your most beneficial PD experience
and why?
PS: Serving as the James C. Grimm National Housing
Training Institute (NHTI) co-director as well as a
faculty member on several occasions has been my most
beneficial professional development experience. Codirecting required that I develop a lot of diverse skills,
in particular learning how to craft curriculum so it is
cohesive and truly meaningful.
KM: What is your number one piece of advice on
professional development?
PS: My advice to others regarding professional
development is to look outside the housing/residence
life box for great opportunities. Look to other
professional arenas such as human resources, adult
education, business, hospitality, and health care for
learning opportunities - think interdisciplinary! In
addition, it is good to get out of your comfort zone by
attending a workshop or conference where you do not
know anyone. I did this recently and realized how
reliant I am on existing relationships while at housingrelated conferences.
Kate McGartland

PS: Being an effective leader is not about knowing
everything; it is about figuring out what you need to
know and how you can learn that. Our work is very
dynamic, and, in my experience, the need to continue
learning is always present even with years of experience.
While it is important to stay open to opportunities,
it is also important to be planful and intentional in

Director, Student Support Services
Pearson Online Learning Services
Kate.mcgartland@pearson.com
@Kate_McGartland

OVERHEARD
On Twitter
Craig W. Beebe

Kathy Bush Hobgood

Heather Shea Gasser

@TeEllett

@mrshob

@heathergasser

Interesting convo on
the #acuhoi listserv
about housing depts
that don't use room
condition reports/
contracts at all. #neat

Tom Ellett

@craigbeebe

Some gr8 reflections
on the #acuhoi blog
from one of r PastPresidents Carmen
Vance #Uconn http://t.
co/2XEhbU99kC.

Thanks to @ACUHOI
for the new Issues &
Advocacy web page!
Great info meets great
format = easy use and
reference!

Share your
experience that
makes us all better
@TeEllett #acuhoi
pic.twitter.com/
RkHllrmXoR.

TalkiNg STick

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Talking Stick - November/December 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - November/December 2014