On October 12, 2026, the Berks County Intermediate Unit's Office of Professional Learning (OPL) coordinated countywide professional learning opportunities that served approximately 1,140 educators throughout Berks County. Through a combination of in-person, district-based, and virtual learning experiences, educators participated in high-quality professional development designed to strengthen instructional practices, enhance student support services, and promote collaboration among educational professionals.
Countywide Professional Development
A total of 1,037 related arts educators and paraprofessionals participated in specialized professional learning sessions hosted at schools, higher education institutions, and partner organizations throughout the county. Sessions were tailored to the unique needs of each discipline and included opportunities for educators in art, biology, English language development, family and consumer sciences, gifted education, health and physical education, library science, music, school counseling, nursing, psychology, social studies, STEM/technology education, world languages, and career-focused internship programs.
An additional 118 educators attended specialized trainings facilitated by TaC Consultants, including sessions focused on executive functioning challenges and support for low-incidence classrooms.
Each session emphasized practical strategies, current best practices, and relevant content that participants can implement within their schools and share with colleagues. The BCIU extends its appreciation to the many district and community partners who provided facilities and support to make this annual countywide learning event possible.
Customized In-District Learning
In addition to the countywide offerings, OPL staff and TaC consultants delivered customized professional development directly within local districts. At Boyertown Area High School, educators participated in training on Practicing Emotion Coaching for All Ages, while additional sessions focused on PVAAS, Classroom Diagnostic Tools (CDT), and Firefly, providing teachers with tools to support data-informed instruction and student growth.
Flexible Online Learning Opportunities
Professional learning also continued through BCIU's FLEX (Flexible Learning Environments for eXcellence) platform. Approximately 20 educators successfully completed online FLEX courses during the inservice day, selecting from one-, three-, and six-hour training options. These self-paced courses provide educators with practical tools and strategies that support effective instruction in traditional, blended, and virtual learning environments.
Through the combined efforts of OPL staff, educational partners, and participating districts, the 2026 Common Inservice Day provided meaningful learning experiences that support educator growth and ultimately benefit students across Berks County.
For additional details about the Common Inservice Day, please visit https://tinyurl.com/bciucommonIS or contact Jillian Darlington, OPL Assistant Program Administrator, at jildar@berksiu.org.