Resources
Learning, Collaboration, and Results: Are We Ready for 2015-16?
by Tesha J. Thomas, Ed.S. Yes, it’s that time of year. Classrooms are warm and sticky, kids are too antsy to stay in their seats, and teachers are furiously working […]
It’s so easy to get discouraged and overwhelmed by all that has been happening in education lately, especially to the teaching profession. Some days it feels like all I’m doing […]
Professional Learning vs Professional Development
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” […]
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 […]
The creation of a collaborative culture requires skillful leadership
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 […]
Why professional reading is necessary, but not sufficient
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 […]
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 […]
The biggest problem in professional development is…
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 […]
by Cynthia Carver, Associate Professor, Oakland University, LFM Past President Earlier this year, I submitted a blog post titled “Defining Teacher Leadership: A Needed Conversation.” In that post, I argued the […]
Say Yes “to the subject that arouses a terrifying longing”
by Dennis Sparks Dennis Sparks “The lesson…then, is that if you want to win the war for attention, don’t try to say ‘no’ to the trivial distractions you find on […]
Our Vision
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
Our Mission
Learning Forward Michigan builds the capacity of leaders to establish and sustain highly effective professional learning.
Standards and Impact
Supports the implementation of standards and examines evidence to strengthen and document the impact of professional learning.
Leadership and Practice
Builds the capacity of its members, clients, partners, and staff to establish and sustain effective professional learning.
Advocacy and Policy
Advocates for policies and practices that strengthen the field of professional learning.
