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The Professional Learning Organization for Educators
September 2023
Upcoming events, resources, and information to support leaders of professional development.
What's New with LFTX
The 2023 Learning Forward Needs Survey is now open for participation until September 29. This biennial survey plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction of our organization and tailoring our offerings to meet the evolving needs of our members. Your input is invaluable, and we encourage all of you to take a few moments to share your insights.
Why Participate in the Needs Survey?
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Shape Our Initiatives: By participating in the survey, you have a direct influence on the initiatives we undertake. Your feedback helps us prioritize areas requiring attention, ensuring our efforts align with your professional development needs.
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Enhance Professional Learning: Your responses guide us in crafting high-quality professional learning opportunities tailored to your specific requirements. This survey is a direct channel for us to understand what matters most to you.
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Strengthen Our Community: We are dedicated to growing our membership base and fostering a vibrant, supportive community. Your feedback aids in creating a more inclusive and responsive environment for all members.
How to Participate:
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Access the Survey: The 2023 Learning Forward Needs Survey can be accessed by visiting this link.
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Share Your Thoughts: Take a few moments to provide your honest insights and suggestions. Your responses are confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of improving our services.
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Deadline: The survey will remain open until September 29. Please ensure your voice is heard before this date.
We encourage you to share this survey with your colleagues and fellow professionals who may benefit from our association's offerings. Together, we can continue to drive our successful organization forward, create more relevant content, and nurture a thriving professional learning community.
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Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our mission. Your input is instrumental in shaping the future of our association. If you have any questions or require assistance with the survey, please feel free to reach out to our Executive Director at ed@learningforwardtexas.org.
Sponsored Content
Science of Reading Resource Guide for Leaders and PLCs
Whether you’re new to the Science of Reading or deepening your knowledge, this complimentary 65-page guide will support you on your journey.
Collaborative Conversations about the Science of Reading features:
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Articles on topics including phonological and phonemic awareness, orthographic mapping, comprehension, and knowledge-building
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White papers that unpack the research
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Interviews with experts including Dr. Louisa Moats
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Reflection questions for individual learning or team discussion
LFTX Blog
Facilitating a Collaborative Inquiry Culture
This month's post is from a new contributor, Dr. Rob Thornell and he makes a case for Collaborative Inquiry by looking at the research behind teachers working together and things to consider when implementing effective inquiry cycles.
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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. More information about Regional Affiliates! Regional affiliates or meetings hosted and planned by local school district professional learning leaders.
Bring a friend to these upcoming meetings!
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LFNTX - September 22, 2023, ​Dallas ISD will be hosting the first LFNTX meeting of the school year on Friday, September 22, at 9400 North Central Expressway, Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75231. During the morning session, 9:00-11:30 am, participants will collaborate around problems of practice, and Dallas ISD will showcase their professional learning initiatives from 1:00-3:00 pm. To assist Dallas ISD with planning, please RSVP. We hope you will invite a friend and join us!
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LFCTX - September 15, 2023, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Northside ISD Activity Center, San Antonio. Click the link to RSVP for the meeting.
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LFSETX - Has not planned meeting dates for this fall.
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LFWTX - We are still looking for a leader to schedule and facilitate several virtual meetings for the West Texas group. Contact Lisa Ham if you are interested in facilitating their meetings.
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Click here for more information from each of the regional affiliates.
Shared Resources
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Webinar: Finding time for professional learning Thursday, September 21, 3-4 PM ET - Learning Forward - Time is the number one challenge educators report to engaging in high-quality professional learning. We can’t make more time, but we can rethink how we use it. This webinar will share strategies for prioritizing and dedicating time to educator learning, making the most of the time you have, and ensuring learning time is well spent. Presenters Joellen Killion and Rafaela Espinal will draw on articles from the August issue of The Learning Professional and from the workbook Establishing Time for Professional Learning. Read More
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ChatGPT Is Everywhere in This District. Here’s What It Looks Like- EdWeek* - From newsletters to lesson plans, Wichita Public Schools is all in with AI. (May have additional cost if you have read more than three free articles per month.) Read More
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Instructional Coaching Group newsletter - Instructional Coaching Group - Sign up to receive Jim Knight's The Instructional Coaching Group's newsletter! This weekly email typically includes content like interviews, articles, helpful tips, and upcoming events. It's a great free resource for instructional coaches, administrators, and teachers.. Read More
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5 ways to make teacher professional development effective - Prodigy - When teachers have access to continuous learning opportunities and professional development resources, they're better equipped to become good teachers — especially if their students have learning needs or are performing below or above grade level. Read More
Important Dates
Important Dates for Fall 2023
Summer break has come and gone. While the temperatures are still high, students and teachers prepare to return to school. Social media feeds overflow with new teacher orientation, professional learning, and classroom preparation.
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Learning Forward Texas has dates to add to your calendar. More information about each event will be added to the website in the coming weeks.
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2024 Outstanding Professional Learning Awards
October 18, 2023 - November 28, 2023
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Learning Forward Texas Board Member Application
November 8, 2023 - December 15, 2023
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2024 Learning Forward Texas Annual Conference
June 10 - 12, 2024
Hurst Conference Center, Hurst, TX
Have you planned your 2023 - 2024 Professional Learning Calendar?
Contact us to help!
Click here to request information for district-purchased workshops.
Call now to book your workshops with current pricing.
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
2023 Annual Conference: Announcing Tuesday's panel keynote
Learning Forward is pleased to announce the final selection of panelists for our 2023 Annual Conference keynote on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Jackie Owens Wilson, Jen Lara, and James Thurman will join Learning Forward’s Senior Vice President Sharron Helmke for a lively panel discussion exploring how successful educators in various roles use coaching skills to foster autonomy, efficacy, and growth for other educators.
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Panelists will explore when and how they choose coaching interactions over other modes of leadership, including how to embed coaching into both collegial and supervisory conversations. The panelists will discuss the power of coaching to sustain learning, bolster collaboration and collaborative organizational cultures, and engender equity among the educators they support. They will also share how they’ve deepened their own professional expertise through being coached themselves and by coaching others.
...Read More
2023 Annual Conference: Select Your Sessions!
Learning Forward’s 2023 Annual Conference, December 3-6, 2023, is the place for education leaders to deepen their understanding of the professional learning systems essential to implementing ongoing, evidence-based changes to teaching and learning.
Register early to ensure your participation in this highly anticipated event in Washington, D.C., that includes four days of ideas, insights, inspiration — and fun!
*Register for all four days to receive a $100 discount.*
Learning Forward Texas
516 E. Byron Nelson Blvd., #1279
Roanoke, TX 76262