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    Are conferences and workshops valid and effective?

    By Michelle Bowman
    October 2017
    Vol. 38 No 5
    Question In our district we have been redefining what professional learning looks like, transitioning to more job-embedded, school-based learning supported by coaches or in some cases school leaders or lead teachers. Given how the Standards for Professional Learning describe effective professional learning, not to mention the definition of professional development in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), I’m wondering whether conferences and workshops still have a role in how we support educators? What can we do to make sure that learning from such standalone experiences has an impact? As the organization that established the Standards for Professional Learning at the same time that we offer a conference and institutes, this is a question we compel ourselves to examine periodically, particularly when we’re designing the program

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    Authors

    Michelle Bowman King

    Each issue, we ask a learning professional to answer your professional learning questions. This issue’s response comes from Michelle Bowman King (michelle.bowman@learningforward.org), Learning Forward associate director of communities.

    Michelle Bowman King (michelle.bowman@learningforward.org), Learning Forward associate director of communities.


    Michelle Bowman
    Senior Vice President, Networks & Continuous Improvement | + posts

    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. She also oversees the development of content and learning designs that support organizations' capacity to engage in continuous improvement processes. With 30 years in public education, Michelle served in leadership at the district, campus, and classroom levels before joining Learning Forward. Michelle has an Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. Her dissertation investigated how school district leaders engaging in a community of practice impacts their professional learning efficacy. She also co-authored Teacher Professional Development in the Digital Age: Design and Implementation of Learning without Limits in Technology in the Classroom: How It Can Improve Teaching and Student Learning in American Schools (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017) with Learning Forward Executive Director (retired) Stephanie Hirsh. Michelle refreshes her soul, mind, and body by singing songs of worship and spending time with family and friends. She enjoys great coffee and long walks.


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