May 4, 2016

Professional Learning News
Did you know Teacher Appreciation Week is underway?

Recognize teachers who impacted you by using the hashtag #ThankATeacher

The National Commission on Teaching & America's Future (NCTAF) and Learning Forward are working together to sponsor a the Agents of Change Competition
The competition offers an opportunity for educator teams to advocate for the best use of federal funding for professional learning under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The competition was conceived as a followup to the whitepaper on teacher agency Learning Forward co-published with NCTAF. (If you haven't read it yet, please check out Moving from Compliancy to Agency: What Teachers Need to Make Professional Learning Work.)

Teams of educators are invited to submit written proposals for best uses of Title II and other federal funds under ESSA. The proposals will include:

1.     Analysis of teachers' primary professional learning needs;
2.     An educator-informed theory of action around how to leverage professional learning to advance teaching and learning; and
3.     Specific recommendations for states, districts, and schools to consider as guides to their Consolidated State Plans and/or state and district Title II plans, a requirement of ESSA, and the design of effective professional learning in their systems.

Webinars to help educators understand the new law and investigate possibilities for using ESSA to support continuous improvement in schools and districts are being held. The next webinar is  May 11  at 6 ET. Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director of Learning Forward, will be offering a deep dive into the professional learning aspects of the law.

Through the application process, educator teams offer their insights and begin to demonstrate their visions. Our panel of reviewers will select about 10 finalist teams to travel to Chicago for two days in July to participate in further training and feedback and then present their proposals to a panel of judges, who will comment on each of the proposals. 

Access the application, ESSA information resources, FAQs, and the list of sponsors here. Links to the archives of webinars will also be posted there.

Learning Opportunities
Webinars:
Join authors and leaders in the field of education for webinars on key topics that will prepare you to successfully implement professional learning that increases teaching effectiveness and student achievement.  Webinars are free for Learning Forward members. Members also get access to LF"s  on-demand library  of webinars. 

Spring Webinar Schedule

Facilitated by Eric Carbaugh and Kristina Doubet
May 5: 2p.m. - 3p.m. ET

Monday Afternoon Webinar Series 
sponsored by Corwin Press

Presented by  Lyn Sharratt & Beate Planche
MAY 9 6:30-7:30 ET  


 

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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