Reimagining Professional Learning

Our professional facilitators will engage your team because we understand adult learning theory! Adult learning theory underscores the importance of active participation, relevance, and self-direction. Instead of the "sit-and-get" approach, professional learning should:

• Connect to Experience: Start with what educators already know and build upon it. Encourage sharing of experiences and insights.

• Be Relevant and Practical: Focus on real-world challenges and provide practical strategies that can be implemented immediately.

• Offer Choice and Control: Provide opportunities for educators to choose topics and learning formats that align with their individual needs and interests.

• Foster Collaboration: Create opportunities for educators to learn from and with each other through collaborative projects, peer coaching, and learning communities.

 

Below are topics we are passionate about:

 

Breaking Free from Learning Biases: Are We Echoing Our Past?

We often unconsciously replicate the teaching methods we experienced as students, even if those methods were ineffective. Recognizing and challenging these learning biases is crucial. Ask yourself:

• Am I relying on lecturing as the primary mode of instruction?

• Am I prioritizing rote memorization over critical thinking and problem-solving?

• Am I creating opportunities for diverse perspectives and learning styles?

• Am I reflecting on my own teaching and seeking feedback to improve?

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Master Schedules: Rethinking Traditional Schedules to Enhance Learning

Traditional master schedules can be rigid and inflexible, hindering personalized learning and collaboration. Consider:

• Flexible Scheduling: Explore options like block scheduling, rotating schedules, and personalized learning pathways to provide students with more time and flexibility.

• Dedicated Collaboration Time: Build dedicated time for educators to collaborate, plan, and learn together.

• Integration of Support Services: Ensure that English Learner support, special education services, and other support services are seamlessly integrated into the schedule and in planning with core teachers.

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Building Capacity in Your Team: Invest in Your People

A strong team empowers its members. Key strategies include:

• Providing Opportunities for Leadership: Empowering teachers to lead professional development sessions, mentor colleagues, or serve on school-wide committees.

• Investing in Professional Development: Providing access to high-quality professional development opportunities that align with individual and school-wide goals.

• Supporting Collaboration and Mentorship: Creating opportunities for educators to learn from and support each other.

• Welcoming difficult conversations: Having real conversations strengthens you and your team.

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Core Values and Beliefs: The Foundation of a Learning Culture

Identifying and articulating core values and beliefs provides a shared vision and framework for decision-making. These shared values might include:

• Student-Centeredness: Prioritizing the needs and interests of all students.

• Equity and Inclusion: Ensuring that all students have access to high-quality learning opportunities.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working together to achieve common goals.

• Continuous Improvement: Committing to ongoing learning and growth.

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A Safe Culture of Learning and Teaching: Embrace Risk, Vulnerability, and Accountability

Create an environment where educators feel safe to experiment, take risks, and learn from their mistakes. This involves:

• Embracing Failure: Viewing mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth. Fail forward!

• Fostering Vulnerability: Encouraging educators to share their challenges and successes.

• Providing Constructive Feedback: Focusing on growth and improvement rather than judgment.

• Holding Each Other Accountable: Ensuring that everyone is committed to meeting high standards you and your district have set.

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Hiring Practices: Finding the Right Fit

Hiring the right people is crucial for building a strong team. Go beyond traditional interview questions and focus on assessing:

• Growth Mindset: Ask questions that gauge the candidate's willingness to learn and adapt.

• Collaboration Skills: Assess the candidate's ability to work effectively in a team.

• Commitment to Equity: Explore the candidate's understanding of and commitment to addressing issues of equity and inclusion.

• Philosophy of teaching: Do they believe all kids can learn? How do they address kids who are struggling?

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Commitment vs. Buy-In: A Shift in Mindset

"Buy-in" suggests passive acceptance. Strive for commitment, which implies active participation and a sense of ownership. This is achieved through:

• Involving Educators in Decision-Making: Ensure that educators have a voice in decisions that affect their work.

• Providing Opportunities for Leadership: Empowering teachers to lead professional development sessions, mentor colleagues, or serve on school-wide committees.

• Celebrating Successes: Recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of educators and students.

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Professional Feedback: Focusing on Learning, Not Just Teacher Moves

Shift the focus of feedback from evaluating teacher performance to supporting teacher learning. This involves:

• Observing and Reflecting: Take time to observe educators in the classroom and provide them with opportunities to reflect on their practice.

• Focusing on Student Learning: Center feedback on how specific teaching strategies impact student learning.

• Providing Concrete Examples: Quote specific student comments and teacher responses in class to gather tangible data teachers and other leaders can learn from.

• Setting Goals: Work with educators to set realistic and achievable goals for growth.

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Differentiated Instruction: Meeting Students Where They Are

Differentiated instruction recognizes that students learn in different ways and at different paces. Educators should:

• Assess Student Needs: Use a variety of assessments to identify students' strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles.

• Provide Choice and Flexibility: Offer students choices in how they learn and demonstrate their understanding.

• Use Varied Instructional Strategies: Employ a range of instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of all learners.

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Breaking Down Barriers: Addressing Blame and Bias

Blaming students or families for academic challenges creates barriers to learning and widens the achievement gap. Instead, focus on:

• Understanding the Context: Recognize that students' life experiences and backgrounds can impact their learning.

• Building Relationships: Develop strong relationships with students and families.

• Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom: Design curriculum and instruction that is relevant to students' cultural backgrounds.

• Advocating for Resources: Advocate for resources to support students and families.

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English Learners: Embracing Assets and Flexibility

Adopt an assets-based approach to teaching English Learners, recognizing their unique strengths and experiences. This includes:

• Highlighting Linguistic and Cultural Diversity: Celebrate the linguistic and cultural diversity of English Learners.

• Providing Targeted Support: Provide targeted support to help English Learners develop their language skills.

• Leveraging Home Language: Encourage English Learners to use their home language to support their learning.

• Implementing Flexible Schedules: Create flexible schedules that allow for the timely support and small group work necessary to support emergent bilinguals.

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Growth Mindset Assessment and Grading Practices: Grading for mastery!

Assessment and grading practices should promote a growth mindset, encouraging students to see learning as a process of continuous improvement. This means:

• Focusing on Progress: Emphasize progress and growth rather than simply assigning grades.

• Providing Meaningful Feedback: Provide students with specific and actionable feedback that helps them improve.

• Allowing for Revision and Retakes: Give students opportunities to revise their work and retake assessments.

• Deemphasizing High-Stakes Testing: Reduce the emphasis on high-stakes standardized tests.

• Assessment of Learning and for Learning (formative and summative assessments)

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Please contact us to facilitate professional learning on any of the above topics or on any topic you have in mind. We will assist in designing and facilitating professional learning based on your outcomes. Need a keynote speaker to motivate your staff, team, or entire district? Call us today!