Why Professional Development Matters in the PYP
The IB PYP is not a static curriculum — it is a living framework that requires educators to continually reflect, learn, and refine their practice. Professional development (PD) is not optional in this context; it is built into the IB's standards and practices as a genuine requirement for maintaining programme quality.
Beyond compliance, great PD connects educators to a wider community of practice — something that can feel rare and energising in the day-to-day life of a busy school.
Types of PYP Professional Development Available
IB-Facilitated Workshops
The IB offers a structured programme of educator workshops, categorised by role and experience level. These include:
- Category 1 workshops: An introduction to the PYP for new teachers and coordinators
- Category 2 workshops: Focused on deepening practice in specific areas (e.g., assessment, transdisciplinary learning)
- Category 3 workshops: School-based workshops hosted on-site for whole-staff development
Workshops are delivered by IB-trained educators and are available both in-person regionally and online through the IB's learning platform.
Regional Collaborative Days
Many regional PYP networks organise collaborative planning days where teachers from multiple schools come together to share units of inquiry, discuss approaches to assessment, or work through challenges in common. These informal gatherings are often where the most practical and honest professional learning happens.
IB Global Conference
The IB hosts an annual global conference bringing together educators from all three programmes (PYP, MYP, DP). The conference features keynote speakers, research presentations, and practitioner-led workshops. It is an excellent opportunity for PYP coordinators to connect with international colleagues and stay current with IB developments.
Finding Regional PD Opportunities
Locating relevant PD requires knowing where to look. Here are the most reliable sources:
- IB's online workshop catalogue: The IB website lists all upcoming facilitated workshops by region and category
- Your IB regional office: Each region has an IB office that communicates PD opportunities directly to schools
- PYP coordinator networks: Regional coordinator groups (often informal) share opportunities via email lists, WhatsApp groups, and social media
- IB Answers (community forum): The IB's online community platform where educators share resources and announcements
- PYP Regional (this site): We curate and share regional PD news as it becomes available
Making the Most of PD Opportunities
Attending a workshop is only the beginning. The real value of PD comes from what happens back in school. Consider these approaches to maximise the return on professional development:
- Share learning with colleagues — even a 15-minute debrief at a staff meeting can spread ideas
- Set a concrete implementation goal — identify one thing you'll try in your classroom within the next two weeks
- Document your reflections — a simple journal or digital note captures insights before they fade
- Stay connected with people you meet — the ongoing conversations with peers are often more valuable than the workshop itself
Upcoming Events to Watch
While specific event dates and details change each year and vary by region, the following types of events are typically scheduled throughout the academic year:
- Term 1 and Term 3 IB workshop intensives (face-to-face and online)
- Mid-year regional coordinator round-tables
- End-of-year school-based Category 3 workshops
- Annual IB Global Conference (usually mid-year)
We recommend checking the IB's official website and your regional office's communications regularly for confirmed dates. We'll continue to update this site as regional events are confirmed.