Curriculum-Based Professional Learning Symposium
Join Learning Forward for a two-day event that will help you integrate curriculum-based professional learning into instructional practice. Through hands-on experiences, attendees will adopt strategies to support implementing high-quality instructional materials with integrity to an instructional model. Collaboration and reflective practice are key components of this symposium, as participants will assess their current use of curriculum-based professional learning, engage in meaningful dialogue with peers, and create action plans for improvement.
Symposium Overview
Through collaborative learning within and across district and state teams, participants will explore how high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) impact student engagement and achievement; examine the essential components of curriculum-based professional learning that support effective use of HQIM; experience instructional materials as a learner to help shape their practice as educators; and collaboratively reflect to help improve their use of HQIM and enhance instructional practices.
Learning from this symposium will reflect the professional learning from Learning Forward’s Curriculum Based Professional Learning (CBPL) Network, launched in 2023 with three districts: School District of Philadelphia, Montgomery County (Maryland), and Metro Nashville Public Schools. Learning from expert network facilitators as well as participants in the CBPL Network, you will work toward a shared goal with districts from across the country to increase the effectiveness of curriculum-based professional learning and positively affect teaching and learning.
Participants in this Symposium will:
- Enhance their expertise in analyzing, describing, and delivering Curriculum-Based Professional Learning;
- Experience curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL) gaining insights from both the learner and educator perspectives; OR Gain insights from both the learner and educator perspective by experiencing curriculum-based professional learning (CBPL);
- Hear from practitioners who will highlight the systems change, professional development and processes for supporting teachers' use of high-quality curriculum, designing student-centered instructional practices, and fostering a collaborative adult learning community;
- Engage educators in collaborative activities and reflective discussions to assess their current use of HQIM and plan for improvement in their instructional practices.
- Implement strategies for providing CBPL through a network model.
Who is this for?
District-level professional learning leaders; district directors/technical service providers supporting instruction and curriculum; superintendents, assistant superintendents, and chief academic officers; regional and state agency leaders, including instructional, curriculum implementation specialists, are encouraged to attend. Team participation is strongly encouraged.
Why should I attend?
This event will help you align the practices of high-quality professional learning and collaborative continuous improvement in all learning environments, and provide you with concrete, evidence-based next steps to demonstrate shared responsibility for improving learning for all students.
Hotel Recommendations:
Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown
201 N 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-448-2000
0.3 miles (7 minute walk) from Parkway Central Library
Click here for more info
The Logan Hotel
1 Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-963-1500
0.3 miles (8 minute walk) from Parkway Central Library
Click here for more info
The Windsor Suites
1700 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-981-5678
0.4 miles (9 minute walk) from Parkway Central Library
Click here for more info
Facilitators:
Michelle A. Bowman is senior vice president of networks and continuous improvement at Learning Forward. She engages in and executes cross-organizational strategic thinking, especially through the strategy of networks and communities of practice, that supports state and local education agencies committed to professional development redesign and oversees the development of content and learning designs that support organizations capacity to engage in continuous improvement processes. With more than 30 years in public education, she has her doctorate in Learning and Organizational Change. Prior to joining Learning Forward Michelle served in leadership at the district, campus, and classroom levels.
Nick Morgan serves Learning Forward as a senior consultant, where his responsibilities focus on networked communities and other strategic initiatives. Nick is also a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, where has taught since 2007. Until 2015 he served as Executive Director of the Strategic Data Project, part of Harvard University’s Center for Education Policy Research, where he also continues to serve as a consultant. Nick was previously a Managing Director with the District Management Council (DMC), where he worked with school districts on strategic planning, human capital, and resource allocation issues.
Shannon Bogle is the senior director for networks and the Academy at Learning Forward. She designs networks and content, builds capacity in state and district educators through network coaching, and manages the strategy and operations for the Academy. A 2019 Learning Forward Academy graduate, Shannon is also a certified as an instructional coach through the Lastinger Center for Learning at the University of Florida. She has more than twenty years in K-12 education as a teacher, instructional coach, and supervisor in Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida. Most recently, Shannon served as a professional development supervisor for the Transformation Network.
Elizabeth Foster is the senior vice president of research and strategy at Learning Forward. She leads the organization’s research efforts for partnerships, programs, and fundraising. Elizabeth co-wrote the Standards for Professional Learning (2022) and facilitates learning sessions about the standards and develops resources that support their use and implementation. She contributes to the design, facilitation, and evaluation of networks. Prior to Learning Forward, Elizabeth was the vice president of strategic initiatives at the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future (NCTAF). Her published work includes studies on teacher recruitment, preparation, and professional learning; teacher shortages; and professional learning communities.
Melinda George is Learning Forward’s chief policy officer, serving on the Learning Forward leadership team and overseeing Learning Forward’s policy and advocacy work. Melinda has been integral to developing strategy and facilitating networks as well as leading the Learning Forward fundraising team. Prior to joining Learning Forward, Melinda was the president of the National Commission on Teaching & America’s Future (NCTAF). From 2006-11, Melinda served as the senior director of Education Strategic Relations at PBS, where she developed national partnerships and oversaw the development of PBS TeacherLine, an online professional development service. Melinda began her career as a 4th- and 5th-grade teacher in D.C. Public Schools.
