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 ● Video 4: How 2 – Better 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
6 K-12 Trends to Watch in 2019
by Roger Riddell, Linda Jacobson, Jessica Campisi
With the events of the past year as prologue, school climate and culture, new leadership models, and accountability, among others, will dominate the industry in the coming year.
In the past year, the remainder of states finalized their Every Student Succeeds Act accountability plans, the Trump administration's Federal Commission on School Safety held a number of listening sessions...read more
Connections in Kansas
Kansas Learning First Alliance Has First Meeting of 2019
News Release from KLFA
•January 10, 2019•
The Kansas Learning First Alliance met on Jan. 10, 2019 in Topeka. There were 19 membership organizations represented.
Kansas Department of Education Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Brad Neuenswander, offered an update on the state ESSA (federal law) implementation plan, the KSEA statewide accreditation framework and school redesign and how they dovetail with the State Board of Education’s Vision for student success…
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
Equity Drives Learning Forward’s Vision
Stephanie Hirsch and Frederick Brown
•October, 2018•
At Learning Forward, we fundamentally believe every child deserves access to excellent teaching and learning every day, regardless of his or her ZIP code or family income. Socioeconomic conditions, race, ethnic background, and other factors should not be predictors for educational attainment.
We believe school systems and other learning environments have to be relentless in addressing the issue of expanding learning opportunities for each and every student while building on the strengths all children bring to the classroom.
These beliefs are fundamental to our approaches to achieving equity. They underlie the decision the board of trustees made earlier this year to explicitly include equity in Learning Forward’s vision statement: Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
We recognize that districts and schools have many tools to address their equity challenges, and we believe effective professional learning can play a crucial role. How a district defines equity will determine the role professional learning can play in helping the
read more
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,
LFKS Secretary,
Dayna Richardson, Executive Director
LFKS to release Video #4 – Learning Designs and #5 – Learning Leaders as part of their grant award from Learning Forward.