Dawn Wilson
All Articles
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My most memorable moments from Learning Forward’s 2017 Annual Conference
By Dawn Wilson When I attended my first Learning Forward conference in Vancouver several years ago, I made a commitment to attend every year, and have. Although the topics and technologies have changed, the culture of learning has remained constant. During this year’s closing, Stephanie Hirsh shared her favorite conference moments and invited audience […] -
Lessons from La La Land
Finally, I saw La La Land, a movie about pursuing your dreams and the power of perseverance. The La La Land plot parallels, in many ways, what educators experience every day. It’s a story of hope, hard work, disappointment, resilience, creativity, and learning. La La Land takes viewers on a […] -
Charting a course for the change process: Learning strategies for sails, surfers, and anchors
Leading change can be like trying to pilot a ghost ship. How can a leader get the crew on board, guide the vessel and successfully navigate the turbulent waters of change? Understanding where educators are on the change continuum and personalizing their learning are important first steps for the success […] -
Learning Forward Academy - A participant's perspective
How many of you have a “professional junk drawer"? This is where you keep the miscellanies you are not quite ready to discard. A junk drawer reveals a lot about a person. It’s much like a time capsule that reflects your life. What’s in your professional junk drawer? My junk […] -
10 strategies to develop teacher agency in 2017
Welcome to 2017. Are you ready to make a resolution to make 2017 a better year for professional learning than 2016? If we have learned anything from our last spin around the sun, it’s that teachers are the “learning whisperers” of education…if we will only listen. A recent post from […] -
Blogging: Learning beyond boundaries
Have you ever thought about writing a blog? Blogging can elevate your professional practice and expand your virtual Professional Learning Network. Through blogs you can connect with colleagues and learn beyond boundaries. Blogging can also contribute to creating a culture where educators improve their practice. Blogs promote the concept of […] -
Learning from Olympians: One school’s journey to success
What can educators learn from Olympians? Olympians model a playbook for success. Fenwick Academy in Salem, New Jersey, is an example of a school that grows champion learners. Fenwick transformed its school culture, professional practice, and increased student achievement with its own playbook for success. Because of that, student reading […] -
Wild and wonderful learning: Lessons from Nature
Nature offers a unique perspective on learning. Taking time to observe nature’s finned and feathered friends can spark creative thinking and elevate our professional practice. The world of nature is outside our doors to teach us. Educators often learn through spoken and written words. Animals learn by observation and action. […] -
Lessons on professional learning from Star Wars
What can educators learn from Star Wars? You do not have to inhabit a galaxy far, far away to learn lessons about effective professional learning. In fact, the most effective professional learning occurs within your own educational sphere, so here are six lessons to transform learning in your own universe. Lesson […] -
The power of words to spark positive change
How do you use the power of words to spark positive change? How are words being used in your setting to create a culture of caring? In a YouTube video, a blind man sits by a busy city street hoping for some spare change. Beside him is a sign, “I’m Blind. […]