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The Professional Learning Organization for Educators
May 2024
Upcoming events, resources, and information to support leaders of professional development.
What's New with LFTX
Terri Iles Academy Scholarship Announced
Learning Forward Texas annually provides a scholarship for a member of our Texas affiliate to participate in the Learning Forward Academy. The LFTX board renamed the scholarship the Terri Iles Academy Scholarship to honor Terri's years of dedicated service as Executive Director, Board Member, and Consultant. The scholarship covers tuition and travel expenses for the three-year program, which includes face-to-face meetings, virtual coaching, and annual conference participation.
The 2024 Terri Iles Academy Scholarship recipient is Amanda Johns, principal at Blue Ridge Elementary in Blue Ridge ISD. Amanda has over 25 years of education experience, including administration, instructional coaching, and as a teacher in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. When contacted about the scholarship, Amanda said, "I am honored to be the recipient of the Terri Iles Academy Scholarship. As an elementary principal, I am excited to dive into all the academy has to offer, knowing it will deepen my understanding of the processes needed to assist my campus in taking the next steps in growth and achievement for all students. This new knowledge will strengthen my capacity to lead our teaching and learning community in response to the needs of our campus."
Applicants applied to the Academy and were accepted after interviews by cohort leaders. The Learning Foward Texas board selected the academy scholarship recipients based on need and application responses. Congratulations to Amanda and the other Texas members of the Learning Forward Academy Class of 2026.
Learning Forward Texas has had over 50 educators participate in the Learning Forward Academy. Current LFTX Executive Director Lisa Ham and board members Dr. Kelly Hastings, Valerie Minor, and Dr. Becky Odijma are all graduates of the Academy. Click here for a complete list of Texas Academy participants.
Visit the Learning Forward Academy web page for more information, including benefits, timeline, and cohort details. Applications for the Class of 2026 are closed. Applications for the next cohort will be available July 1, 2024.
Five Reasons to attend the
2024 Learning Forward Texas
Annual Conference
Keynote Speakers
Debbie Silver
Amber Teamann
Pre-Conference Sessions
Dr. Jim Knight
Joellen Killion
Trish Hinze Diana Ely
Cultivating Leadership
Registration is now open through May 24.
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!
2024 Conference Scholarship Winner
The Board of Directors selected Lexi Marks as the 2024 Learning Forward Texas Annual Conference Scholarship winner. Lexi is the Secondary Math Curriculum Specialist for Lamar Consolidated ISD in Rosenberg, Texas. The 2024-2025 school year will be the start of her 13th year in education, and her 3rd year as a Curriculum Specialist. Prior to working in LCISD, she taught 6th grade math in Houston ISD. She earned her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from Sam Houston State University with a desire to help change the stigmas surrounding math.
This will be Lexi's first LFTX Conference. She said about attending, "I am constantly looking for innovative ways to engage adult learners, as well as differentiate for their variety of needs. This conference sounds like a great way to fill my toolkit with ideas for planning professional learning for the 2024-2025 school year!" She can be found on social media using the handle @AKMarksMath.
PL Where You Belong
Survey
This summer, professional learning specialists will be able to join a session during the Learning Forward Texas Summer Conference in June, called PL Where Everyone Belongs. You are invited to share your previous learning experiences and the small actions that make you feel included and welcomed in professional learning environments, in addition to the ones that have not helped you to feel welcomed and valued. Your stories and examples will help professional learning facilitators identify practices that have the potential to cultivate learning where all adults feel a sense of belonging.
Sponsored Content
Introducing SEEDS of Learning:
Ensure Early Literacy Success for Children Ages 3–5,
Presented by Emily Grunt, Program Director, SEEDS
Join us on May 7th for an informational webinar about SEEDS, a relationship-based training and coaching solution based on the science of reading and proven through rigorous research.
In the webinar, learn how SEEDS:
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Aligns with the the latest research on child development, the brain, and early literacy learning
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Has been proven through randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies
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Focuses on the Big Five Early Literacy Predictors
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Embeds the art and science of sensitive, responsive
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relationships in every interaction
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Provides fun, meaningful activities that are easily incorporated in daily routines
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Ensures equity through training, coaching, and tiered interventions
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Works with any early childhood curriculum
Click to Remain a Subscriber
Let us know you're enjoying the Straightforward Newsletter, click on any link to stay on our mailing list. If you don't click, you'll be removed from the list. 😢
Community Building Strategies
As you plan for next school year, you might need a good community-building activity. Learning Forward Texas has curated a list of resources to help you plan your next meeting or learning session. The lists include Energizers, Engaging Processes, Reflection, and Grouping strategies.
LFTX Blog
Fostering Deliberate Optimism
Discover insights and inspiration from Dr. Debbie Silver in our exclusive interview, where she shares wisdom, humor, and practical advice for educators. Get a sneak peek into her keynote and session that she'll be sharing at this summer's Learning Forward Texas conference!
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.
Sponsored Content
JOIN FORCES FOR
LEARNING EXCELLENCE:
806 LEARNING SUMMIT
OFFERS ONE FREE REGISTRATION FOR TEAMS OF 5!
Transformational Leadership
Continuous Improvement
State & Federal Programs Leadership
Instructional Leadership
Mental Health/Wellness
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 - The next meeting will be held on May 10 in Richardson ISD. The April meeting was held in Keller ISD. Thank you to Janet Corder, who presented various AI resources. Click here for more information.
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LFCTX - LFCTX has no other meetings this year. Watch for more information about meetings this summer.
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LFSETX - LFSETX would like to hear from you. Please respond to the attached survey to join us for the 2024-2025 school year. Your feedback will help us plan our September 20, 2025, Kick-Off event in Cy-Fair. Watch your email for an invitation in late July. Click here to respond to the survey.
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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 the LFTX Board Meeting. Welcome New Board Members!
Shared Resources
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806 Learning Summit- Connecting the Dots - June 5 - 7, Omni Frisco Hotel - 806 Technologies - Participate in an exceptional boutique conference meticulously curated to facilitate learning from esteemed educational leaders across the nation. This event is thoughtfully structured to equip attendees with actionable strategies specifically tailored for implementation within schools or districts. These strategies aim to bolster participants’ ability to CONNECT THE DOTS, resulting in heightened efficiencies and enhanced effectiveness. Read more
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Calendarizing: The New Principal’s Superpower – 5 Reasons to Calendarize - Teaching Channel - As a new principal, stepping into the leadership role of a school can feel like embarking on a journey with countless twists and turns. With so many responsibilities vying for your attention, it’s easy to become overwhelmed and lose sight of your priorities. However, there’s one tool that can serve as your guiding light through the complexities of school management: calendarizing. Read More
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Nominate a Changemaker - Learning Forward - A changemaker is an educator whose professional learning leadership is making a positive difference in a school or educational system, leading to benefits for staff and most importantly, students. Click the button below to nominate a teacher, coach, administrator, superintendent, or other learning leader. Read More
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What does the National Educational Technology Plan say about the digital divides? - EdTech magazine - By addressing inequity through the lens of the National Educational Technology Plan's three newly defined digital divides, states, districts, and schools can create systems that enable all students, regardless of their background, to benefit from ed tech's opportunities. Read More
2024 Professional Learning
Professional Learning Opportunities
Check out these professional learning opportunities for this spring and summer.
Tips and Tools 3 for Professional Learning
May 6, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Mac Bernd Professional Development Center - Arlington ISD
1111 W Arbrook, Arlington, TX 76015
Tips and Tools 1 for Professional Learning
June 3, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Granbury ISD Administration Building
217 N. Jones St. Granbury, Texas 76048
2024 Learning Forward Texas Annual Conference
June 10 - 12, 2024
Hurst Conference Center, Hurst, TX
Have you planned your spring and summer Professional Learning?
Contact us to help!
Contact Lisa Ham, Executive Director,
to discuss the benefits of Tips and Tools workshops
ed@learningforwardtexas.org 512-266-3086 ext. 1
News from Learning Forward
Annual business meeting
Learning Forward recently held its annual meeting to present a snapshot of the state of the association at the end of 2023 and where we're going in 2024. Watch the video to hear CEO Frederick Brown's overview and staff updates that chronicle the work Learning Forward is doing to improve professional learning and positive outcomes for students.
Standards Week 2024 is over, but the learning lives on!
Standards Week 2024 featured 30-minute webinars showcasing practitioners from Georgia, Maryland, and Florida, who packed in valuable tips and insights about how they are working to create comprehensive professional learning systems that change educator practice and lead to success for students.
The full collection of Standards Week 2024 webinars is now available!
2024 Learning Forward Annual Conference
Registration is open - Learning Forward Annual Conference
Learning Forward’s Annual Conference will be at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Denver, CO, December 8-11th! The theme for 2024 is Reach New Heights for Students.
Learning Forward Texas
516 E. Byron Nelson Blvd., #1279
Roanoke, TX 76262
