What guideline is essential for school leaders to support staff during professional development?

The correct answer highlights the importance of actively involving teachers in their own professional development. Active involvement ensures that educators are not just passive recipients of information, but rather are engaged participants who can apply new knowledge and skills directly to their teaching practice. This approach fosters deeper understanding, retention of information, and encourages collaboration among educators, which can enhance the overall effectiveness of the professional development experience.

When teachers engage actively in professional development, they can share their insights, ask questions, and collaborate with peers, which leads to a richer collective learning experience. This interactive nature helps to address diverse learning styles and promotes a culture of continuous improvement in the school environment.

In contrast, relying on passive learning methods would not effectively prepare educators to implement new strategies in their classrooms. Thus, a focus on active participation is vital for maximizing the impact of professional development initiatives.