DALLAS—December 6, 2010—Learning Forward and Corwin announced Rocklin Academy, from Rocklin, California, as the winner of the first ever Shirley Hord Learning Team Award. This award is given to a team of teachers who demonstrate Learning Forward’s definition of professional development in action.
Seventeen teams from schools in both Canada and the United States submitted nominations. Each school submitted a video and documentation. A team of 18 reviewers, which included Learning Forward Scholar Laureate Shirley Hord and Learning Forward and Corwin staff, reviewed the submissions using Learning Forward’s Learning School Innovation Configuration Map. Three finalists, Adelphia Elementary School, Freeport, New Jersey; Belmont Elementary, Lincoln, Nebraska; and Rocklin Academy, Rocklin, California, were named finalists. A vote of Learning Forward members determined the winner.
Rocklin Academy is a core knowledge school whose teachers are committed to student success. Teachers work together in collaborative learning teams to study and implement research-based instructional strategies to ensure high levels of student academic success.
Learning Forward’s annual awards program recognizes individuals for their commitment to improving student achievement through effective professional learning. Corwin President Mike Soules and Learning Forward Deputy Executive Director Joellen Killion joined Shirley Hord in presenting the first Shirley Hord Learning Team Award at the Learning Forward 2010 Annual Conference Monday, December 6 in Atlanta. Corwin generously sponsored the award, which included funds to support a team of three educators from Rocklin Academy to participate in Learning Forward’s 2010 Annual Conference. Rocklin Academy will also receive a $2,500 gift to the school to support collaborative professional learning and a gift of Corwin books for the school’s professional library.
