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January 19, 2015

Professional Learning News

Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. He overcame many obstacles and challenges. His speech, "I have a DREAM" resonates with us all today as we resolve to put into practice what Dr. King envisioned.

Last week, two mountain climbers, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson, scaled the Yosemite summit, El Capitan. Their planning for this climb, resolve in overcoming obstacles, and trust in each other reminds me of Dr. King's dream and the work we as educators do. We plan for our students success, overcome challenges, and trust in our colleagues for support.

Congress is now revising ESEA. Let's remind our representatives and senators that this bill is about equity for all students. Let's make this dream, our educational El Capitan, come true.

Keynote Speakers for Learning Forward's Annual Conference DC 2015 announced.

Rehema Ellis, chief education correspondent, was an integral part of NBC's first annual Education Nation summit that focused on the strengths and weaknesses of America's education system.

Michael Horn is a co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute and serves as the executive director of its education program. He leads a team that educates policymakers and community leaders on the power of disruptive innovation in the K-12 and higher education spheres through its research.

Yong Zhao is an internationally known scholar, author, and speaker. His works focus on the implications of globalization and technology on education.

Access more information about these keynote speakers here.

From Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director of Learning Forward

Let's Make 2015 the Year of Impact

This is the year we need to demonstrate substantive improvement in the practice and impact of professional learning. As the U.S. Department of Education and Congress debate the future of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, many stakeholders lack confidence in professional learning's impact, and their commitment to invest in it wavers. As a result, we need to offer compelling evidence of professional learning's importance -- and, at the same time, expect more from it. I intend to use this year to elevate effective practice and report its impact. Please join me!

Teachers Know Best: Teachers Views on Professional Development

$18 billion is spent annually on professional development, and a typical teacher spends 68 hours each year-more than a week- on professional learning activities typically directed by districts. When self-guided professional learning and courses are included, the annual total comes to 89 hours.

Yet by many measures, including the views of teachers themselves, much of this effort and investment is simply not working. In 2014, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation contracted with the Boston Consulting Group, to gain insights into the roadblocks to implementing effective professional development. What they heard from this broad range of stakeholders was consistent: The way in which schools and districts deliver professional learning is highly fragmented and characterized by key disconnects between what decision-makers intend and the professional learning teachers actually experience. In other words, the missing link is how these activities are structured and carried out at schools.

Access the full report here.

As the second half of our school year begins, educators begin thinking about the end of year tests. Patricia Brown at EdSurge discusses some digital tools that let students show what they have learned in nontraditional ways. Check them out here.

Success at the Core is a FREE resource for educational leaders and teachers. Register to get immediate access to videos and printable materials that can complement and guide your teaching methods. Click here for more information and access to leadership team modules, and classroom strategies.

Learning Opportunities

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Learning Forward Virginia, Learning Forward Maryland and DC are the hosts for Learning Forward's 2015 Annual Conference, and we need you!!! There are several ways you can help.

Bring your best work to D.C. in 2015

Apply to present at the 2015 Annual Conference in National Harbor, Maryland December 5-9, 2015, and share your expertise with educators from around the world.

Learning Forward's Annual Conference offers education leaders the connections, tools, learning opportunities, and strategies they need to understand and implement effective professional learning in their classrooms, schools, and districts. Submit your proposal to present a session and join your colleagues in exploring best practices in professional learning.

Submit your proposals before Jan. 31, 2015. Click here to access proposal submission site.

Volunteers needed to score proposals on February 6, 2015.

Breakfast is provided from 8:30 am to 9:00 am. Proposal review training will begin at 9:00 am and reviewing will continue until completed in the afternoon. If volunteers cannot make this start time, they should arrive when they are able.

Lunch will also be provided. Reviewers may bring a laptop computer. Each proposal is reviewed by at least three reviewers.

The scoring will take place at the Chesterfield County Public Schools, 13900 Hull Street Midlothian, VA 23112. If interested in scoring, please fill out the form here.

Want to Volunteer for Learning Forward's Annual Conference to be held Dec 5-9,, 2015, at the Gaylord Conference and Convention Center, National Harbor? Click here

Spring webinar series kicks off

Learning Forward's spring webinar series kicks off Tuesday, Feb. 10 as Jennifer Abrams hosts "Being Generationally Savvy." Learn strategies for embracing generational differences in your school and gain resources and tools to enhance communication with all generations. Additional spring webinar topics include assessment that supports learning, building leadership capacity, planning and designing professional learning, and more.

Webinars are free for Learning Forward members. Click here for more information.

Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact me or any member of our LFVA Board. Contact information is also listed on the LFVA web site. (www.learningforwardvirginia.org)

Sincerely,

Judy Newhouse

Executive Director
Learning Forward Virginia

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P.O. Box 8198 Woodbridge, VA 22195-8198