Imagine a summer where teachers don’t just take a break but also gain the freedom to learn at their own pace, blending relaxation with professional growth. This vision came to life in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District (BWSD) with its innovative “Summer Flex-PD” program. Now in its second year, this initiative is revolutionizing how educators experience professional development (PD), offering them the flexibility to balance work and personal life while engaging in targeted learning.
Presented by Dr. Amanda Patterson, Senior National Director, Innovations and Insights, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Dr. Jessica Huizenga, Associate Partner, Center for Model Schools; and Anthony Colannino, Senior Fellow, Center for Model Schools, President, Leading and Teaching for Growth, LLC, and Author, Leading with Head and Heart
Moderated by Tyler Schlagenhauf, M.Ed., Director of Product Marketing, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Presented by Daryl Michel, Ph.D., Author, Founder, and Innovator, Be A Change, LLC; and Amy Allen, Sr. Manager, Professional Learning Services, Learning A-Z
During the edLeader Panel “Redefining PD: Strategies that Amplify Math & Literacy Achievement,” educational leaders were introduced to a shift from conventional professional development to high-impact professional learning, aimed at reversing the trend of stagnating or declining test scores.
Teacher retention is one of the most difficult challenges faced by districts today. “Half of teachers leave teaching within five years,” said Hillary Greene Nolan, Education Researcher at Digital Promise. It raises the question: How do we retain experienced teachers and welcome new educators? One answer just might be “Teacher Leadership in a Union-Led Program Designed to Support and Retain Early-Career Teachers.”
Presented by Steven Mendoza, Senior District Impact Manager, Carnegie Learning; and Jimmy Brehm, Senior Vice President of Academic Partnerships, Carnegie Learning
Presented by Purnima Chopra-Vohra, Director of Programs, Lavinia Group; Lydia Cuomo, Instructional Consultant, Lavinia Group; and Ambrosia Johnson, Instructional Consultant, Lavinia Group
Presented by Tasha Osten, School Counselor, Raymond Central Public Schools (NE); Kristina Pittman, High School English Teacher, Farmington Public Schools (MI); Jeremy Gold, High School History Teacher, Farmington Public Schools (MI); Shelly Rosene, Q-Comp Coach & SPED Teacher, Anoka-Hennepin School District (MN); and Hillary Greene Nolan, Education Researcher, Digital Promise
Presented by Kari Kurto, National Science of Reading Project Director, The Reading League; Jessica Farmer, Literacy Advocate and Content Creator, Farmer Loves Phonics; and Julie Harris, Director, Language and Literacy Curriculum, Lexia
Moderated by Cassandra Wheeler, Director of LETRS State Success, Lexia
New teachers face unique challenges, and their success largely depends on the structure and systems schools have in place for their support. Three academic leaders shared their strategies and advice in the edLeader Panel “How to Smooth the Transition and Speed the Effectiveness of Beginning Teachers.”