LAS supports quality instruction and constantly strives to improve it. We hire quality staff, but we don't stop there.
Masters Program
Staff seeking a graduate degree in education participate free of charge in the Masters programs of Endicott College. The program blends online and classroom instruction, including two summers at the Belle Epoque campus of LAS. Degree programs offered in Leysin include International Education, International Education Administration, International Education with ESL Specialization, International Education with Concentration in Educational Technology, and Athletic Administration. For more information on these programs, please visit the following links:
M.Ed. in International Education
M.Ed. in International Education Administration
M.Ed. in International Education with ESL Specialization
M.Ed. in International Education with a Concentration in Educational Technology
M.Ed. in Athletic Administration
Professional Learning
Since fall 2009, LAS has required all teachers new to its teaching ranks to participate in professional learning. Meeting in small cohorts, teachers 1) observe other teachers, 2) are observed by other teachers and 3) observe themselves via video. All professional learning is centered in the context of teachers' actual classrooms.
The program has been presented at the European Council of International Schools' (ECIS) fall conference in 2010, 2011, and 2012 and written up twice in ECIS's publication, the International Schools Journal (see sidebar). Financial support from ECIS and the Swiss Group of International Schools conbributed in 2011-2012 to the development of an online teacher observation tool that feeds classroom observation data of classroom interaction into a database teachers use for their personal reflection and development.
Beginning with school year 2013-2014, teacher supervision will be tied to teacher-driven professional learning, leading the way for LAS to become a leader in innovative and ongoing professional development for its teaching faculty.
Educators interested in learning more about the professional learning programs of LAS are encouraged to contact Paul Magnuson at pmagnuson@las.ch.
ATLAS Collaboration
For the last two school years time has been set aside weekly for teachers to discuss the integration of technology in instruction. ATLAS, or Advancing Technology at LAS, helps make the most of student and teacher laptops, blogs, websites, and software.
Discretionary funds for personal growth
All teachers are provided discretionary funds to pursue their own professional growth, whether it be for the ESL or International Baccalaureate programs, working in divser learning environments, or further content knowledge in their discipline.