Learning Forward
Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.
FOCUS
Learning for all is Maryland district’s priority
By Peter Carpenter
Categories: Career pathways, Coaching, Collaboration, Learning communities, System leadershipDecember 2023
When we think of professional learning, we usually mean growing educators’ knowledge base, abilities, and mindsets for the purpose of benefiting students. But Harford County Public Schools in Maryland has reframed it with a much broader scope. Professional learning is now called organizational development, reflecting the district’s aim for everyone in all positions and levels to learn, grow, strive, and be the best that they can be. To do this, we create learning opportunities for all staff. It’s been a process to reach the point where we are now, and even though we’ve made many strides in creating educational spaces for everyone, our work is not done. We are still creating learning opportunities where few existed before. The growth and development of all staff is
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.
Cross-departmental teams
Harford County Public Schools’ cross-departmental teams work to determine and support professional learning and growth needs across the whole system.
Administrator professional development advisory team: This team includes members from schools, central services, and the enterprise side, facilitated by the supervisor of leadership development. The team’s goals are to determine the needs for each level of leadership and project the proposed professional learning impact on each office. Designs for professional learning are brought to the team for feedback as are calendar items.
Teacher professional development advisory team: This group of instructional staff from across the system is facilitated by the supervisor of teacher induction and professional development. The team’s goal is to determine the instructional needs for each school level and assess the impact of proposed professional learning for teachers. This team also reviews designs for professional learning.
Clerical professional development advisory team: Facilitated by the director of organizational development, this team’s goal is to determine clerical professional learning needs and impact. New for our district, these offerings have been wildly popular. Typically, we provide virtual choice sessions twice a year.
Enterprise advisory team: The director of organizational development facilitates this team, which is a cross-section of enterprise staff. In its beginning stages, we are excited to see where our needs assessments will take this team. We are looking to equip our enterprise leadership with skills that will support succession planning and build leadership capabilities with our current staff.
References
Guidara, W. (2022). Unreasonable hospitality: The remarkable power of giving people more than they expect. Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group.
Kegan, R. & Lahey, L.L. (2016). An everyone culture: Becoming a deliberately developmental organization. Harvard Business Review Press.
Kouzes, J.M. & Posner, B.Z. (2017). The leadership challenge (6th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Senge, P.M. (2006). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. Broadway Business.
Peter Carpenter (pcin2teaching@gmail.com) is a veteran educator with a 30-year track record of positively impacting public education in Harford County Public Schools, Maryland. During this time he has served in numerous roles, from teacher to coach; from principal to Director of Organizational Development. No matter the role, Peter's focus remains to joyfully equip and empower educators to better serve their students. Now residing in Clermont, Florida, Peter has launched his own company, Leadwise Coaching and Consulting whose mission is to help educators and leaders take their leadership or instructional vision to victory. An ICF and Gallup certified coach, Peter is also a past president of Learning Forward, Maryland, and has served Learning Forward national as a member of their Conference Planning Committee, Host Committee Chair in 2023, and is currently a member of the class of 2026 Learning Forward Academy. He has presented at the national conference three times; twice as a pre-conference presenter.
Categories: Career pathways, Coaching, Collaboration, Learning communities, System leadership
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...
