We believe that the term professional development is used in reference to a wide variety of specialized training, formal education, or advanced professional learning intended to help administrators, teachers, and other educators improve their professional knowledge, competence, skill, and effectiveness. Research is consistent in defining effective teachers as those who have a deep professional understanding of their content areas, curriculum, and students. Professional knowledge is critical to providing students relevant learning experiences at an appropriate depth of knowledge.

The same is true for professionals with many years' experience in the workplace. Continuing professional development is important because it ensures you continue to be competent in your profession. It is an ongoing process and continues throughout a professional's career. Professional education includes any programs that improve the knowledge, skills, attitudes, or behaviors of health care providers on the importance of breast- feeding, the physiology and management of lactation, or counseling related to breastfeeding. Teaching is a dynamic and challenging profession. Teachers have a professional obligation to develop and maintain professional relationships with a diverse range of learners, communicate with parents, act ethically, promote positive values and maintain and raise professional standards.