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The Professional Learning Organization for Educators
march 2024
Upcoming events, resources, and information to support leaders of professional development.
What's New with LFTX
Learning Forward Texas Adding
Four New Board Members
Ivan Cantu
Plano ISD
Kristina Feldner
Irving ISD
Jennifer Hiser
Mesquite ISD
Donna Shillinglaw
Tyler ISD
Learning Forward Texas is thrilled to announce its new board members for 2024, each a distinguished professional from various educational districts across Texas, committed to advancing excellence in education. The appointees, including Ivan Cantu from Plano ISD, Kristina Feldner from Irving ISD, Jennifer Hizer from Mesquite ISD, and Donna Shillinglaw from Tyler ISD, bring a wealth of experience and a shared dedication to enhancing educator effectiveness through professional learning. As we embrace this new chapter,
The new board members will begin their term during the 2024 Learning Forward Texas Annual Conference in Hurst, TX. LFTX thanks outgoing members Vicki Arrington and Debi Tanton for their dedication and significant contributions to our mission and vision. For more information, check out the press release.
2024 Learning Forward Texas
Annual Conference
Keynote Speakers
Debbie Silver
Amber Teamann
Pre-Conference Sessions
Jim Knight
Joellen Killion
Cultivating Leadership
Registration is now open. The 2024 Learning Forward Texas Annual Conference will continue to focus on supporting adult learning. Connect and collaborate with other coaches, directors, and professional learning specialists. This year's conference will be held at the Hurst Conference Center in Hurst, Texas. The same great conference at the same price! We can't wait to see you again!
Sponsored Content
Webinar: Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners, Facilitated by Linda Diamond
Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners was released in January 2024. The book was inspired by Dr. Nancy Young's infographic "The Ladder of Reading & Writing." The features and words on this infographic illuminate for educators the wide range of ease in skill acquisition and instructional needs. It makes clear that every student deserves to grow in their reading and writing skills and that it is the responsibility of schools to provide the necessary instruction and support.
Join us for a virtual interview with Dr. Nancy Young and Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, who will discuss their new book and other contemporary issues surrounding teaching reading and writing with Linda Diamond.
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Need a few new tools for your toolbox?
Learning Forward Texas has curated a list of resources to help you plan your next meeting or learning session. The lists include Community Builders, Energizers, Engaging Processes, Reflection, and Grouping strategies. More ideas are added every month.
For more Toolbox Tips after you have taken Tips and Tools 1
March 22, in Crowley ISD
LFTX Blog
Crafting Inclusive Presentations: Quick Tips for Design and Delivery
Dive into this month’s blog for practical strategies and personal reflections on making your presentations more accessible and inclusive. Learn from real experiences and find actionable steps to enhance your presentation practices today!
Learning Forward Texas is looking for monthly guest bloggers for our newsletter. Email Lisa Ham at ed@learningforwardtexas.org if you are interested; include your name, title, topic, and the month you would like to contribute.
Regional Affiliates
The Learning Forward Texas Regional Affiliates are ready to go with meetings scheduled throughout the year. Regional affiliates are meetings hosted and planned by local school district professional learning leaders.
Invite a friend to these upcoming meetings!
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LFNTX - Thank you to Arlington ISD for hosting our February meeting with a Valentine themed cereal bar and afternoon candy bar. LFNTX will not meet in March, and the April meeting will be on April 12, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in Keller ISD. Click here for more information.
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LFCTX - Leander ISD will host the March Virtual meeting on March 22, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. Click here for more information.
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LFSETX - LFSETX is forming a steering committee to plan a fall meeting. Complete this form if you would like to be informed about upcoming meetings or if you would like to join the Steering Committee.
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LFWTX - LFWTX is forming a steering committee to plan upcoming meetings. Watch for more information.
Click here for more information from each of the regional affiliates.
Images from last month's Tips 1 in Irving ISD and the LFNTX meeting.
Shared Resources
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How to develop strategic, effective leadership - Edutopia - How can principals better understand and deal with anxiety and frustration when their leadership and day-to-day work responsibilities require skill sets that they have yet to develop? Managing this is crucial because when implementing schoolwide initiatives, anxiety increases throughout the staff when the principal, and others, are ill-equipped with the strengths needed to move things along. Read More.
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6 things to know about evaluating professional learning - The Learning Professional - Is your professional learning doing what it’s supposed to do? Check out this FAQ that spotlights six aspects you will want to know about evaluation. Read More
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Look beyond the satisfaction survey - The Learning Professional - Thomas Guskey explains how to go beyond participants’ reactions with an evaluation model that measures changes in teacher practices and student learning. Read More
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Free 1-Hour Online Workshop: Recruit & Retain Great Teachers - The Main Idea - Wednesday, March 20 at 11:30 am ET / 8:30 am PT We're losing great teachers! Join me for this interactive 1-hour online session to learn concrete strategies to RECRUIT & RETAIN GREAT TEACHERS. Register Here
2024 Professional Learning
Professional Learning Opportunities
Check out these professional learning opportunities for this spring and summer.
Tips and Tools 2 for Professional Learning
March 22, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium Community Room
9900 Hemphill St
Fort Worth, TX 76134
2024 Learning Forward Texas
Annual Conference
June 10 - 12, 2024
Hurst Conference Center, Hurst, TX
Contact Lisa Ham, Executive Director,
to discuss the benefits of Tips and Tools workshops
ed@learningforwardtexas.org 512-266-3086 ext. 1
Have you planned your spring and summer Professional Learning?
Contact us to help!
News from Learning Forward
Volunteer opportunity: Help us review the record-breaking number of proposals for 2024 Annual Conference
More than 830 proposals were submitted for the 2024 Annual Conference at the Gaylord Rockies, December 8-11, 2024 – the most ever received in our 50-year history! All proposals are scored by peers to provide the most compelling program for conference attendees, so we are looking for reviewers. You can help make this a strong program with just a few hours of your time. If you wish to be part of this prestigious review process, either remotely or in the host city, contact conferenceinfo@learningforward.org.
Last chance to secure Title II-A funding for FY24
Based on House and Senate versions of Fiscal Year 2024 Labor HHS Education Appropriations bills, Title II-A could see anywhere from zero funding (the House version would eliminate the program altogether) to level funding in the final legislation. Any cut – up to and including outright elimination – would deal a significant blow to our efforts to improve student academic achievement and ameliorate the teacher shortage crisis.
For these reasons, we are now calling on all Learning Forward stakeholders to make one final effort to convince your Senators and Representatives to support Title II-A before a final deal is completed.
It’s easy – just click here to send a pre-written or customized email.
Thank you in advance for leading with your voice on this vital issue.
Learning Forward Academy
Learning Forward is excited to announce that the next Academy cohort is forming! Becoming a member of the 2026 Academy will provide you with the opportunity to be on the ground floor of the newly revised Standards for Professional Learning that were recently released in Spring 2022. The Learning Forward Academy is a great way to increase your capacity as an educator and leader in the ever-changing education landscape. Application deadline is March 15, 2024
Learning Forward Texas
516 E. Byron Nelson Blvd., #1279
Roanoke, TX 76262
