Navigating the Complexities of Change with High-Yield Leadership Strategies with Jim Knight

Jim Knight

Join us on June 6th as Dr. Jim Knight shares high-value leadership strategies to help us navigate the complexities of change. Participants are encouraged to think of themselves as change leaders—people who lead themselves, other adults, and students through inevitable change by getting clear on what they are trying to accomplish and how to make that happen, and how to navigate through the complexities of change.

The workshop addresses the following questions:

What is leadership, and what kind of difference am I making as a leader?
Am I clear on my purpose?
Do I put others ahead of myself?
Do I spend time on the most important activities?
Am I confronting reality and leading with hope?
How do I make sure I lead through change in a way that creates trust?
Am I a multiplier or a diminisher?
What is the GROWTH Coaching System and how might it help?

Participants will:

Identify their beliefs about leadership and the kind of leader they want to be
Learning and explore strategies for leading themselves and others
Leave with a plan for implementing leadership strategies to better lead their own live and lead others
Become familiar with the elements of the GROWTH Coaching system

This session is designed for all educational leaders who help guide others through change. We encourage Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Building Administrators, District Administrators, Service Center Personnel, and other leaders to join us for this impactful day of learning.

Cost: $300 (lunch included)

Date: Thursday, June 6, 2024

Time: 8:30-3:30

Location: WSU MetroPlex, 5015 East 29th St N, Wichita, KS 67220

College Credit: One half (.5) college credit through Wichita State University will be available for purchase for those who are interested.

Bonus Content!!

Better Conversations Virtual Book Study

Description:

Think about how many times you’ve walked away from school conversations, sensing they could be more productive, but at a loss for how to improve them. Better Conversations honors our capacity for improving our schools by improving our communication. Asserting that our schools are only as good as the conversations within them, Jim Knight shows us how to adopt the habits essential to transforming the quality of our dialogues.

What makes this virtual book study special? Dr. Jim Knight will kick off the first session for us on April 2nd from 4:00-5:00pm CST. We hope that you will join us for this three part virtual book study as we explore Better Conversations together. Register below and you will receive a copy of the book as well as directions for accessing the virtual sessions. One hour of college credit through Wichita State University will be available for purchase for those who are interested and participate in all three sessions.

Cost: $100 (includes a copy of the book)

Dates: three sessions online

⇒Session #1: April 2 from 4:00-5:00pm Book Study Kick Off with Dr. Jim Knight

⇒Session #2: April 16 from 4:00-5:00pm Facilitated book study conversation

⇒Session #3: April 30 from 4:00-5:00pm Facilitated book study conversation

College Credit: One hour of college credit through Wichita State University will be available for purchase for those who are interested and participate in all three sessions.

Location: Online: A link will be sent to participants prior to the sessions.

Register Today!

You can register for the conference, book study or both!

*Note our Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received one week prior to an event to avoid being billed for the full registration amount.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Jim Knight

Jim Knight, Founder and Senior Partner of Instructional Coaching Group (ICG), is also a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He has spent more than two decades studying professional learning and instructional coaching. Jim earned his PhD in Education from the University of Kansas and has won several university teaching, innovation, and service awards. The pioneering work Jim and his colleagues have conducted has led to many innovations that are now central to professional development in schools. Jim wrote the first major article about instructional coaching for the Journal of Staff Development, and his book Instructional Coaching (2007) offered the first extended description  of instructional coaching. Jim’s book Focus on Teaching (2014) was the first extended description of how video should be used for professional learning. Recently, writing with Ann Hoffman, Michelle Harris, and Sharon Thomas, Jim introduced the idea of instructional playbooks with their book on that topic. Jim has written several books in addition to those described above, including Unmistakable Impact (2011), High-Impact Instruction (2013), Better Conversations (2015), The Impact Cycle (2018), and The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching (2021). Knight has also authored articles on instructional coaching and professional learning in publications such as Educational Leadership, The Journal of Staff Development, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, and Kappan. Jim is also a columnist for Educational Leadership.Through ICG, Knight conducts coaching workshops, hosts the Facebook Live series, “Coaching Conversations,” and provides consulting for coaching programs around the world.

Collective Leader Efficacy and De-Implementation

Peter DeWitt, Ed.D

Collective Leader Efficacy and De-Implementation:

Focusing Our Work on What Makes a Difference

How Do Leadership Teams Come Together?
What are the keys to Collective Leader Efficacy?
How do we Harness the Power of our School Leadership Teams!
How do we Stop Doing Stuff that isn’t Making a Difference?
How long does it take?

Conference Details

Presenter:

Peter DeWitt

Date: June 13, 2023

Where: Wichita Metroplex

Conference Registration: $225

Audience

These are questions from Kansas school leaders as we continue focusing on STUDENT SUCCESS! No matter where we are in the KESA/Redesign process, we know the keys to success are Collective Leader Efficacy (CLE) and learning communities.

Peter DeWitt’s work focuses on Collective Leader Efficacy, which is a shared conviction among a school team that they can and will improve the learning environment for all students. When leadership teams lack this conviction, it is often the result of failing to be intentional about their focus.

We all know that teachers and leaders are being spread too thin by well-intentioned, but often low value practices that keep piling up. When it comes to school initiatives, more isn’t always better. To address this issue, DeWitt also focuses on de-implementation, which is the abandonment of low value practices. He will explore the different forms de-implementation can take and when it makes sense to use a formalized process to lessen waste, increase results, and support major school improvement efforts.

During this all-day session on Tuesday, June 13 2023, Peter DeWitt, E.D. will provide the research, explain the drivers and engage participants in a cycle of inquiry that will help leadership teams develop collective leader efficacy as a team as well as learning to stop doing the “stuff” that makes our plates so full!!

This session is perfect for teams (PLC, department, School-based, district). During the day, teams will create 3 drivers, 2 roles for their team, and 1 goal as a team that they develop during a cycle of inquiry. There will be ample time for teams to engage in learning with Peter and one another, as well as work collaboratively around protocols. At the end of the day, teams will have established actionable steps they will engage in when they go back to school.

Participants will

Define collective leader efficacy (CLE)
Explore de-implementation as it relates to low value practices
Understand how our focus on control impacts our decision making
Understand how leadership teams function and shine
Identify the drivers necessary to develop collective leader efficacy as a team
Engage in a cycle of inquiry to define a theory of action, including de-implementation

Engage in the process of de-implementation that will move us forward

Register Today!
*Note our Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received one week prior to an event to avoid being billed for the full registration amount.

About the Facilitator

Peter DeWitt (Ed.D) is a former teacher (11 years) and principal (8 years) who facilitates workshops and provides keynotes nationally and internationally focusing on leadership, collective efficacy, coaching, fostering inclusive school climates, and de-implementation.

Peter is the author of several books including Collaborative Leadership: 6 Influences That Matter Most (Corwin Press/Learning Forward) and School Climate: Leading with Collective Efficacy (Corwin Press/Ontario Principals Council. 2017), Coach It Further: Using the Art of Coaching to Improve School Leadership (Corwin Press. 2018), Instructional Leadership: Creating Practice Out of Theory (Corwin Press. 2020), Collective Leader Efficacy: Strengthening Instructional Leadership Teams (Corwin Press/Learning Forward. 2021), and The De-Implementation Handbook: Decluttering Our Low Value Practices (Corwin Press. 2022).

His articles have appeared in education journals at the state, national and international level, and he has presented at forums, conferences, and panel discussions at state, national and international conferences.

Workshop Flyer:

Download Flyer (PDF 114 KB)

Yes, We Can!! Tips, Tools, & Protocols to Engage Your Team/Staff in Meaningful Learning

Yes We Can!!!

Tips, Tools, & Protocols to Engage Your Team/Staff in Meaningful Learning

A one-day workshop provided by Learning Forward Kansas and Smoky Hill Education Service Center

Workshop Details

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

8:30 am – 3:30 pm

Facilitators: Vicki Bechard & Dayna Richardson

$125.00 Registration for 1 LFKS Member
$100.00 Registration for Teams of 2 or more LFKS Members
$150.00 Registration for 1 Non LFKS Member
$125.00 Registration for Teams of 2 or More Non LFKS Member

Includes light breakfast, lunch, light snack

Location: 605 E. Crawford, Salina

About the Facilitators

Vicki Bechard
Email: bechardv@hotmail.com
Phone: 913-796-6241

Dayna Richardson
Email: daynarichardson45@gmail.com
Phone: 620-921-5775

Vicki Bechard is the secretary for Learning Forward Kansas (LFKS) and owner/lead consultant of Teaching and Learning Consulting Network, LLC. In addition, she is an adjunct instructor for the graduate program at Baker University.

Dayna Richardson is the Executive Director of Learning Forward Kansas (LFKS) and President of Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA). She is actively involved in education and promoting professional learning, serving on Learning Forward’s State Affiliate Committee at the national level and on the Kansas Education Commissioner’s Professional Learning Task Force for KSDE. In addition, she is an Educational Coach and Consultant.

Workshop Description:

JOIN US as we learn together! This session targets any educator who leads professional learning with their team, building or district. During this interactive session, participants will experience protocols (strategies) that lead to greater engagement and deeper conversations while doing relevant work and creating teams/schools where ALL learners flourish. These protocols will focus on specific tools that can be used with any topic/content being presented as we “walk our talk” by increasing the kind and quality of professional conversations around new learning, data analysis, studying student work or learning new content/strategies.

During the transition from a “checklist” accreditation to a continuous school improvement accreditation model with true collective responsibility, many leaders are hungry for tools/strategies/protocols that will allow all educators to EXPERIENCE LEARNING. No longer will individual teaching excellence be sufficient to produce critical gains for ALL learners. Teachers working in isolation lack the collective resources for spreading good ideas and refining patterns of practice within their buildings and across their districts. We learn in a community of practice.

This session will demonstrate protocols (walking our talk) that all leaders can use. We will make connections to the Standards for Professional Learning, especially Learning Designs. Each participant will leave with resources to use with a team, building or district. Again, JOIN US as we learn together!

Workshop Flyer:

Twitter Chats

Learning Forward Kansas (LFKS) is excited to have you join us for great conversations and collaboration as we embark on the exciting journey of Twitter Chats!

Our monthly Twitter Chats will be led by experts from the field focusing on a different topic that supports “Excellent Teaching and Learning Every Day.” We hope you will join us each month for some great conversation through Twitter.

Chats begin at 8:30 p.m.

Twitter Chat Dates:
September 25-Making Magic in our Classrooms
October 23-Facilitated by Toni Prickett
November 27-Facilitated by Robin Fogarty
January 22-Facilitated by Jo McFadden
February 26-Facilitated by Jerri Kemble and Phil Hintz
March 26-CANCELLED
April 23-Facilitated by Jill Lachenmayr

April Twitter Chat Focus-Poolside Professional Development

Have an idea for a future Twitter Chat? Click here to share your ideas.

Kansans Can: Making It Happen! LFKS Annual Leadership Conference

Kansans Can! Making It Happen!
Developing Leaders, Inspiring Educators, and Transforming Schools through Better Conversations
LFKS Annual Leadership Conference
February 1-2, 2017
Wichita, Kansas

Graphic-for-LFKS-Annual-Conference-2-transparent

Join Learning Forward Kansas (LFKS) as we learn practical ideas for implementing KESA (Kansas Education Systems Accreditation), and other initiatives, by creating sustainable change for system success. We can help you plan for the implementation of KESA through the Kansans Can: Making It Happen Conference and The Roadmap to Understanding KESA Facilitation Guide.

LKFS is thrilled to have Kansan and internationally known author Jim Knight on Wednesday, February 1st. Dr. Knight will focus on effective communication. All educators make an impact by communicating their message clearly, building connections with others, and creating a culture of success. Participants will learn powerful communication habits and practice each strategy during experiential learning activities. Dr. Knight’s book, Reflection Guide to Better Conversations, is included free with registration for Day 1. Participants also have the option to buy Better Conversations at a discounted rate of $25. Better Conversations are the KEY to Student Success!

Commissioner Randy Watson, KTOY Justin Coffey, and Kansas colleagues will continue the learning on February 2nd. Commissioner Watson and KTOY Justin Coffey will both inspire and challenge us. Kansans Can! During the breakout sessions, Kansas colleagues will share their journey to Student Success, through these topics:

Kindergarten Readiness
Individual Plans of Study
Social, Emotional Character Development (SECD)
Walkthroughs
Civic Engagement
Effective Instruction and Technology Integration
Professional Learning that Changes Practice

As a bonus, Kansas authors, Marceta Reilly and Kelly Gillespie, will be conducting breakout sessions around their recent books, which will support the implementation of KESA.

This conference has value for all educators: classroom teachers, teacher leaders, coaches, building and district leaders…All Leaders. Participants will experience collaborative learning that leads to greater engagement and deeper conversations, creating a culture where all learners flourish.

1 hour graduate credit available through Baker University for fully attending both days of the conference. $65/credit hour

Mark your calendars for Feb. 1-2, 2017.

Additional information may be found here.
Download Flyer (PDF 287 KB)

Schedule At a Glance

Conference Brochure and Breakout Sessions

Download PDF (862 KB)

Breakout Sessions

Please select the sessions you plan to attend

Tips, Tools, & Protocols to Engage Your Team/Staff in Meaningful Learning

KSDE Pre-Conference

Tips, Tools, & Protocols to Engage Your Team/Staff in Meaningful Learning

A one-day workshop provided by Learning Forward Kansas in conjunction with the KSDE Pre-Conference

Workshop Details

Monday, October 24, 2016

8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Registration Deadline: October 19, 2016

Facilitators: Vicki Bechard & Dayna Richardson

$125.00 Registration for 1 LFKS Member
$100.00 Registration for Teams of 2 or more LFKS Members
$150.00 Registration for 1 Non LFKS Member
$125.00 Registration for Teams of 2 or More Non LFKS Member

Includes light breakfast, lunch

Location: Hyatt Regency/Century II, Wichita

About the Facilitators

Vicki Bechard
Email: bechardv@hotmail.com
Phone: 913-796-6241

Dayna Richardson
Email: daynarichardson45@gmail.com
Phone: 620-921-5775

Workshop Description:

Workshop Flyer:

On-Site Support for Professional Learning

Change is coming to YOUR school! … and WE CAN TOO !

LFKS is now available to come to your school! We can facilitate a one-day work session that is based on the initiatives you want to implement.

Download PDF (1 MB)

Bruce Wellman Conference

Co-sponsored by Learning Forward Kansas and Southwest Plains Regional Service Center

November 9, 2015

DoubleTree (Airport) Hotel
2098 Airport Road, Wichita

7:30 am – 8:15 am Registration
8:30 am – 4:00 pm Conference

Seating is Limited! Register Today!

For More Information

Visit the Event Website – Download Flyer

$150/person for members of SWPRSC or Learning Forward
$175/person for non members
Team Pricing is Available

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:

The focus of the supervisory process is shifting from fulfilling contractual obligations to promoting opportunities for growth. The ability to structure and facilitate powerful learning-focused conversations lies at the heart of both one-to-one and collective work. This session develops shared understandings of both problems and possible solutions to increase confidence and success in working with data and one another.

How can we use feedback to create a culture of continuous improvement for individual, building, or district growth? Research says feedback and growth are keys to success. This session will provide the rationale, tools, and protocols to move all educators forward.

Skillfully using data (multiple measures, student data, evaluation data, building data) keeps interactions learning-focused and student-centered. This interactive session links data to positive outcomes for students and educators, developing shared ownership of important questions and collaborative answers that make data meaningful and applicable to improving program and classroom practices.

Teaching and learning standards provide the what to talk about; learning-focused supervision and/or evaluation offers the how.

WHO CAN BENEFIT:

Administrators will use data to promote growth in a non-threatening, positive manner.
Instructional Coaches will apply skills for facilitating feedback interactions and strategies.
Mentors will use data as they support new teachers.
Learning Communities, District & Building Teams and Teacher Leaders
will establish a framework to guide their conversations around the data that drives their work.
Evaluation Committees will embed the concept of learning focused feedback in their system.
EVERYONE will expand their toolkit/strategies/protocols.

KSDE Pre-Conference

KSDE Pre-Conference

On the Right Track:
Determining Your Road for Success

A one-day workshop provided by Learning Forward Kansas in conjunction with the KSDE Pre-Conference

Workshop Details

Monday, October 26, 2015

8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Registration Deadline: October 19, 2015

Facilitators: Vicki Bechard & Dayna Richardson

$125.00 per person

Includes light breakfast
Lunch included

Location: Hyatt Regency/Century II, Wichita

About the Facilitators

Vicki Bechard
Email: bechardv@hotmail.com
Phone: 913-796-6241

Dayna Richardson
Email: daynarichardson45@gmail.com
Phone: 620-921-5775

Workshop Description:

In this day-‐long session, participants will explore the complex changes facing our schools today (accreditation [5 Rs], educator evaluations, 1 to 1 initiatives, PLCs, etc,) and experience strategies that support district and building leaders in implementing desired changes.

Are you on the right track? Keys to successful implementation begin with understanding change and its effect on your building/district, plus the design and delivery of effective professional learning (HOW) that supports your change. Bring issues relevant to your school and leave with new insights and tools to make change happen! JOIN US!!

Acquire skills, strategies, and resources to USE as agents of change,
Work with team members on current, local situa0ons involving complex change in your organization, and
Study and apply change models and Standards for Professional Learning as a framework for leading change.

Who should attend:

Teacher leaders, administrators, instructional coaches, and building/district leadership teams.

Workshop Flyer:

Leaders Matter Institute

Leaders Matter: Leading Change for Success

This one-day institute is a partnership between LFKS and KELI

Kansas Educational Leadership Institute (KELI)

Date: ~~December 2, 2015~~ We hope to reschedule for Spring 2016
Location: Central Community Church, 6100 West Maple, Wichita, KS
Facilitators: Vicki Bechard and Dayna Richardson

View and Download Flyer

Online Registration OR Printable Mail-in/FAX Registration

A challenge for principals, superintendents, and other district administrators is prioritizing the changes they are responsible for leading and facilitating during the coming school year. These include KESA, Educator Evaluations, Instructional Frameworks, 1 to 1 Initiatives, Construction and Building Projects, and other initiatives that are specific to an individual district.

For this workshop session, please bring your change challenge and then learn and experience strategies to plan and implement for success.

Explore Change information including Models, Best Practices, and Strategies
Use Change Strategies to Inform/Shape Practice
Learn from Kansas Practitioner Leaders from the Field
Create a Plan to go from Knowing to Doing

About the Facilitators

Vicki Bechard
Email: bechardv@hotmail.com
Phone: 913-796-6241

Dayna Richardson
Email: daynarichardson45@gmail.com
Phone: 620-921-5775

Dayna Richardson is the Executive Director of Learning Forward Kansas (LFKS) and Chair of Kansas Learning First Alliance (KLFA). She is actively involved in education and promoting professional learning, serving on Learning Forward’s State Affiliate Committee at the national level and on the Kansas Education Commissioner’s Professional Learning Task Force for KSDE. In addition, she is an Educational Coach and Consultant.