Learning Forward Michigan

by Laska Creagh

Administrators would say that ‘if you got one good idea out of a conference or workshop to implement, then that was a good thing.”  I remember some “hands-on” approaches to workshops that actually related to what I was striving for in my classroom. Those settings most often involved teacher colleagues also being in the workshop, so the “we can do this” energy was promoted.  As a team, we would develop the ideas shared in our contextual setting. This type of energy created change in practice.

[Read more…] about Professional Learning vs Professional Development

As an active stakeholder in the development of Michigan’s Professional Learning Standards and Policy, Learning Forward MI (LFM) stays committed to ensuring that every Michigan educator engages in effective professional learning every day. Learning Forward Michigan is the state affiliate of the international organization Learning Forward (formerly the National Staff Development Council). Our mission is to build the capacity of leaders, (both teachers and administrators) to establish and sustain highly effective professional learning.

[Read more…] about Job Embedded Professional Learning

By Dennis Sparks

Teacher isolation is so deeply ingrained in the traditional fabric of schools that leaders cannot simply invite teachers to create a collaborative culture. They must identify and implement specific, strategic interventions that help teachers work together rather than alone. —Richard DuFour

If the goal is quality teaching in all classrooms for the benefit of all students, then it is essential that principals and teacher leaders create a high-performance culture which has professional learning and meaningful teamwork at its core.

[Read more…] about The creation of a collaborative culture requires skillful leadership

by Dennis Sparks

In some school systems a particular book takes hold for several months and everyone seems to be reading and talking about it. The following school year it is another book, and so on.

The ideas and practices recommended in those books are seldom deeply understood, and seldom implemented, no matter how substantial and important they may be.

[Read more…] about Why professional reading is necessary, but not sufficient

by Cynthia Carver, Oakland Schools

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Denver “Teach to Lead” Summit. For two and half busy days, roughly 100 teacher leaders from 26 states gathered to learn, to create, and to be inspired. One week later, I am still reveling in the sense of possibility that grows when teachers are given voice and agency. I truly feel honored to have been included.

[Read more…] about Teach to Lead

by Dennis Sparks

The biggest problem in professional development is that administrators and teachers significantly underestimate the amount of effort and time required to create the new habits of mind and behavior that are necessary to provide high-quality teaching and learning for all students.

[Read more…] about The biggest problem in professional development is…