Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
In a district with 211 schools and over 12,000 teachers, providing meaningful professional learning that helps all teachers strengthen their practice is no easy feat. But in Montgomery County, Maryland, which borders Washington, D.C., we knew that’s exactly what we needed to do to change the trajectory of student performance. In 2024, our district was not seeing the gains we had hoped for in our math or reading scores, especially for students of color and, even more significantly, for our emerging multilingual learners and students receiving special services. We were looking to go beyond a superficial initiative, and we understood our challenges couldn’t be solved by the next greatest thing. We also knew our work would require a strategic and coherent vision of change, intentionality,
Read the remaining content with membership access. Join or log in below to continue.
Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem.
References
Fullan, M. & Quinn, J. (2015). Coherence: The right drivers in action for schools, districts, and systems. Corwin; Ontario Principal’s Council.
Grissom, J.A., Egalite, A.J., & Lindsay, C.A. (2021). How principals affect students and schools: A systematic synthesis of two decades of research. The Wallace Foundation. learnfwd.org/490fc1
Leithwood, K. & Jantzi, D. (2005). Transformational leadership. In B. Davies (Ed.), The essentials of school leadership(pp. 31-43). Corwin.
Willingham, D.T. (2009). Why don’t students like school? A cognitive scientist answers questions about how the mind works and what it means for the classroom. Jossey-Bass.
Margie Lope Moutsatsos is the Director of Professional Learning for Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland and oversees the professional learning program for all employees of the school system. She is committed ensuring that all employees have the resources and support to grow with high-quality professional learning that is guided by evidence-informed approaches and ultimately positively impacts teaching and learning so that all students have the opportunity to reach their greatest potential.
CURRENT ISSUE
Recent Issues
LEARNING WITH AI
February 2026
Generative AI can be a powerful tool for professional learning design and...
WHAT STUDENTS NEED NOW
December 2025
For all students to thrive, we need to understand who they are and what...
LEARNING COMMUNITIES FOR LEADERS
October 2025
Leaders need opportunities to connect, learn, and grow with peers just as...
MAXIMIZING RESOURCES
August 2025
This issue offers advice about making the most of professional learning...
