Professional Learning Video Series · Inspired to Learn: Kansas Stories
Video 1: Why Professional Learning Matters | Video 2: What Is Professional Learning?
Video 3: HOW 1 – Learning and Leading Together
A Message from the LFKS President
Darla Smith
You won’t want to miss the Learning Forward Kansas Fall Institute, November 9, 2018 in Wichita at the Wichita State Metroplex. Toni Prickett is a Kansas educator and an international Training Associate for Thinking Collaborative, including Adaptive Schools and Cognitive Coaching and we are thrilled that she will be helping us gain The Right Stuff for Change. Her presentation includes building our skills in collaboration, leadership, and identity. As districts/schools in Kansas continue to focus on postsecondary success via KESA/Redesign, we are looking for new ways to “reboot” our systems to ensure the success of all our students. The tools Toni will share with us, include:
- heightened consciousness regarding the what, why and how of collaboration;
- awareness of “levels of learning;”
- new lenses on how leaders can create and support change;
- increased knowledge regarding two types of suspension required for conversation;
- enhanced tools and strategies…read more
Launching the first HOW Video, 3nd in the Series, Inspired to Learn: Kansas Stories
By Vicki Bechard, LFKS Secretary
Learning Forward Kansas (LFKS) is excited to announce that the the 3rd video in the series, Inspired to Learn: Kansas Stories, “Learning and Leading Together,” is on the website and ready for educator use! This new video helps educators understand Learning Communities – What It Takes and What They Look Like. Examining the characteristics and actions of learning communities clarifies our purpose and targets our efforts in collaborative professional learning experiences. This understanding will lead to more effective conversations as we seek to not only understand what works, but what works best. …read more
Professional Learning in the News
If Coaching is So Powerful, Why Aren't Principals Being Coached?
If instructional coaching is beneficial to teachers, shouldn't leadership coaching be beneficial to principals?
In most instructional coaching philosophies the teacher wants to be coached. Instructional coaching expert Jim Knight, someone I work with as a instructional coaching trainer, says that teachers should be the ones to choose to enroll with the coach. Additionally to that, those...read more
Connections in Kansas
Kansas Learning First Alliance Focuses on Redesign and Routes to Teaching at April Meeting
News Release from KLFA
•April 12, 2018•
The Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA) held the final meeting for the 2017-2018 academic year on April 12, 2018 at the KNEA building in Topeka, Kansas. KLFA Chair, Mark Farr, welcomed 15 representatives of 13 educational organizations committed to the KLFA vision of partnering to keep learning first….
read moreNews from KSDE
It’s Back to School Time
Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson, along with KSDE employees and Deputy Commissioners Brad Neuenswander and Dale Dennis, celebrate the start of the 2018-2019 school year with this back-to-school video.
Click here to watch the video.
read moreConnections with Learning Forward
Let’s Make the Most of Teachers’ Time Together
Stephanie Hirsh
Stephanie Hirsh
•May, 2018•
Research has shown that effective collaboration results in higher levels of learning and performance by educators and students. Yet we also know that merely setting aside time and room for teams to work together does not guarantee these benefits.
So what are the essential elements of effective collaboration? Many of the answers lie in the culture of the organization responsible for supporting collective learning.
Here are five things I have seen consistently in cultures that support effective collaboration.
- Clarity of purpose. Leaders support collaboration because they believe it is a key component of the vision for the school and/or school system. In many cases, that vision emphasizes a commitment to great teaching and learning for every student. As a result, these leaders are invested in collaborative professionalism to ensure learning for all adults and children. When leaders commit to authentic collaboration, they can promise all parents that the teacher responsible for their child is just one of many who are committed to the success of their children.
Article by Judy Beedles-Miller,
Assistant Superintendent,
Dodge City USD 443
Have you ever tried scheduling a book study? Selecting and providing a book is easy; finding a time for everyone to meet is difficult.
KESA Facilitation Guide
~New! KESA Facilitation Guide PDF
Learning Forward Kansas has developed a Facilitation Guide to promote dialogue that increases understanding of KESA and the rubrics.
This resource is full of strategies (also known as protocols) to organize and facilitate professional learning discussions with educators and stakeholders that lead to success for all.
Article by Vicki Bechard,
Secretary,
Learning Forward Kansas
Learning Forward Kansas debuts second professional learning video titled “What is Professional Learning?”