Joellen Killion

In 2008, I introduced the concepts of coaching heavy and coaching light as a way to think about the depth and impact of coaching practice (Killion, 2008). When I first wrote about this, the terms heavy and light were often misunderstood. Some readers perceived that heavy coaching is critical, directive, […]

Evaluation is essential for understanding whether professional learning works, for whom, when, and why. Experts Thomas Guskey and Joellen Killion discuss strategies and tools you can use to examine and improve your professional learning. The presenters break down the steps of evaluation to show how to make it feasible and […]

Each year, educators engage in hours of professional learning to enhance their practice. Those hours are limited, both by contract and the imperative of keeping teachers in classrooms as much as possible. It is essential that this professional learning time is well-spent and pays dividends toward the goal of all […]

Evaluating professional learning to measure its effectiveness and impact on student learning is an important process for those who design, lead, and facilitate educator learning. Evaluation demonstrates a commitment to accountability for investments in professional learning and a mechanism to ensure its continuous improvement. The Standards for Professional Learning (Learning […]

Joellen Killion Finding and prioritizing time for professional learning is a persistent challenge. This workbook provides a process and specific strategies for addressing this challenge, beginning with a time audit. The second edition shares new and updated sample schedules from schools across the U.S. that are prioritizing professional learning time. […]

Time is the No. 1 challenge educators report to engaging in high-quality professional learning. We can't make more time, but we can rethink how we use it. This webinar will share strategies for prioritizing and dedicating time to educator learning, making the most of the time you have, and ensuring […]

Ten years ago, as a part of Learning Forward’s Transforming Professional Learning initiative, I wrote a workbook on finding time for professional learning. A decade later, the topic is still a frequent one among the professional learning leaders I work with and a pressing challenge for schools everywhere. If there […]

Ask any educator what the major challenge is in providing effective professional learning and the answer is the probably the same: time. Many schools and districts, nevertheless, find ways to create schedules that provide regular, frequent opportunities for teacher collaboration and collaborative professional learning. Learning Forward’s workbook, Establishing Time for […]

I think of professional learning like the engine of an automobile. It powers movement forward and propels the whole automobile toward the desired destination. Periodically, we tune up that engine. We provide maintenance so that the engine keeps running smoothly, effectively, and efficiently and reliably delivers its drivers and passengers […]

The instructional coaches in Kildeer Countryside School District 96 (KCSD 96), outside Chicago, are like tugboats, a key part of a maritime navigation system. Just as tugboats nudge and guide barges and ships that need steering assistance to navigate tricky waters, the coaches nudge and guide educators to navigate toward […]