DALLAS—May 8, 2013— Learning Forward and Corwin announced the eighth-grade math team at Santa Fe Junior High School in Santa Fe, Texas, as the winner of the Shirley Hord Learning Team Award. This award is given to a team of teachers that demonstrates Learning Forward’s definition of professional learning in action.
Ten teams from schools across the United States submitted nominations. Each school submitted a video and documentation as evidence of their professional learning work. A team of eight reviewers, which included Learning Forward Scholar Laureate Shirley Hord and Learning Forward members, reviewed the submissions using Learning Forward’s Learning School Innovation Configuration Map.
According to Santa Fe Junior High Principal Rachel Blundell, “All of our learning teams have been using job-embedded professional learning tools to identify specific student challenges and have set goals that will raise our students’ achievement levels. The eighth-grade math team is one great example of that ongoing work.” Through an analysis of data from student achievement tests, walk-throughs, and teacher observations, the team identified their problem of practice and outlined specific goals. Through their collaboration, the team has developed instructional strategies and uses meeting time to discuss successes and challenges. The learning team includes teachers, Blundell, and an instructional coach and curriculum specialist.
“The eighth-grade math team at Santa Fe Junior High exemplifies collective commitment to student learning. We know that collaborative learning, when it includes critical elements of our definition and standards, leads to increased student achievement,” said Learning Forward Executive Director Stephanie Hirsh. “This award honors the research Shirley Hord has conducted on the attributes and effects of successful professional learning communities.”
Learning Forward’s annual awards program recognizes individuals for their commitment to improving student achievement through effective professional learning. Learning Forward and Corwin will present the Shirley Hord Learning Team Award at the Learning Forward 2013 Summer Conference Monday, July 22, in Minneapolis. Corwin generously sponsored the award, which includes funds to support three representatives of the winning team from Santa Fe Junior High to participate in Learning Forward’s 2013 Summer Conference. The winning school will also receive $2,500 to support collaborative professional learning and a gift of Corwin books for the school’s professional library.
“We know that the progress this team is making on behalf of students would not be possible without the time they dedicate to their ongoing learning. Corwin is proud to sponsor the Shirley Hord Learning Team Award with Learning Forward as part of our mission to ‘help educators do their work better,'” said Mike Soules, president of Corwin.
To view the video submission of the winning team and learn more about the award, visit https://learningforward.org/get-involved/awards/2013-hord-award-winner.
