professional development

I'm wondering what you all experience in your school districts in terms of the "professional development" provided/required. For example: How many PD days do you have in a given school year? Timing? Who facilitates? Do teachers have any self-directed time? General impressions? Favorite experiences?

some inspiration from a book on genius

I've just checked out a book titled The Genius in All of Us by David Shenk. I was thumbing through it to see how it is organized and came across Chapter Seven "How to Be a Genius (or Merely Great)". I thought I'd post Shenk's list of tips for greatness. It seems as though the following are dispositions common to people who have been identified as "great" in some way.

1) Find your motivation.

2) Identify your limitations--and then ignore them.

3) Delay gratification and resist contentedness.

4) Have heroes.

5) Find a mentor