Harness the power of teacher collaboration and engagement to see real results for students!
Welcome to Transform Academy, where committed teachers become teacher leaders, empowered to revitalize learning cultures while keeping the future in mind. This boundary-breaking professional-learning process—centered on teacher voice and grounded in foundations of collaboration and data-informed planning—challenges schools to move beyond accountability standards and toward innovative learning that ignites student engagement.
As you follow the story of Transform Academy, you’ll find accompanying action steps to help you implement the process, along with strategies to inspire personalized instruction and redesign learning environments. Other supports include:
- Detailed and inspiring vignettes
- Relevant research connections
- Questions for discussion
- Activities and prompts for individuals and teams
- Links to professional-learning standards
Follow Transform Academy’s journey of discovery, and see the results for yourself.
Minding the Future outlines a very clear framework for how a school might reimagine professional learning in support of results for students. What’s especially helpful are the tools and resources that will help educators through every step of the process. Thank you for bringing this great resource to the field!
Frederick Brown, Deputy Executive Director,
Learning Forward
If you’ve been searching for proven strategies on creating a vision, planning, and establishing a learning culture ready for transformation, this is it. Written with knowledge only gained from experience, Minding the Future presents readers with clear plans, brought to life with anecdotes and stories, to lead their own professional learning transformations. This book is for educators wishing to embrace the future head-on and hand in hand!
Linda Macias, Associate Superintendent,
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Houston, TX
İçerik tablosu
PREFACE
Professional Learning to Inspire Vision and Voice
Audience
Transform Academy Design
Who We Are
Organization of This Book
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Introduction to the Transform Academy
Scope, Purpose, and Goals
Transform Academy Design: Informing Our Driving Vision
Participant Selection
Transform Academy at a Glance
Becoming Comfortable With the Unknown
CHAPTER 1. Is Your Learning Culture Ready to Transform? Academy Pre-Session
Ask the Teachers
Establishing Your Vision for the Future
Essential Aspects of a Learning Culture Ready to Transform
Framework for Transforming a Learning Culture
Planning and Chronicling Your Transform Academy
Differentiated Approaches for Professional Learning
Key Ideas
Discussion Questions
Transform Academy Pre-Session Activities
Suggested Action Items
CHAPTER 2. Developing Collaborative Innovators: Session 1
Culture of Innovation: How Do You Define It?
Becoming a Collaborative Innovator
Professional Learning for Transform Academy Session 1
Key Ideas
Discussion Questions
Transform Academy Session 1 Activities
Suggested Action Items
CHAPTER 3. Teacher Voice: Session 2
Celebrating Teacher Innovation
Three Components of an Emerging Vision
Inspiring Teacher Voice
Teacher Leadership
Collaborative Innovator Mindset
How Mindsets Influence Teacher Voice
Professional Learning for Transform Academy Session 2
Developing Teacher Voice
Tapping Student Potential: It’s Time!
Key Ideas
Discussion Questions
Transform Academy Session 2 Activities
Suggested Action Items
CHAPTER 4. Open Permission to Dream: Sessions 3–6
If Only We Could . . .
Opening the Doors to Dreaming
Research and Risk Taking
Field Trips, Conferences, and Experts
Implementing New Learning Standards
Professional Learning for Transform Academy Sessions 3–6
Key Ideas
Discussion Questions
Transform Academy Sessions 3–6 Activities
Suggested Action Items
CHAPTER 5. Flexible Learning Environments: Session 7
Now Ask the Students
Promoting Differentiated Innovative Ideas
Encouraging Student Voice and Choice
Student Learning Communities and Personalized Learning
Classrooms Growing Toward Flexible Learning Environments
Professional Learning for Transform Academy Session 7
Key Ideas
Discussion Questions
Transform Academy Session 7 Activities
Suggested Action Items
CHAPTER 6. Student-Led Learning: Session 8
Teachers Learn to Code
Fostering Student-Led Learning
Essentials for Implementing Student-Led Learning
Professional Learning for Transform Academy Session 8
Key Ideas
Discussion Questions
Transform Academy Session 8 Activities
Suggested Action Items
CHAPTER 7. Sustaining the Momentum: Session 9
Welcome to the Learning Fair
Multi-Year Planning Cycle
The Significance of the Learning Fair
Key Ideas
Discussion Questions
Transform Academy Session 9 Activities
Suggested Action Items
CHAPTER 8. Parting Thoughts
Open Doors and Minds
Building Your Transform Academy
REFERENCES
INDEX
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Stephanie Edgar, M.Ed. is currently an associate at N2 Learning, an educational consulting company. She is formerly the Director of Campus Instructional Support in a large suburban school district in Texas. Her team provided direct support to campuses through professional development, specialist training, video production, adaptive and benchmark assessments, campus planning, and embedded technology. Mrs. Edgar has provided in-depth training in the areas of planning, professional learning communities, assessments for learning, collaborative consultations, critical conversations, instructional best practices, student and teacher portfolios, and online professional development. She has served students and teachers for 38 years as a teacher, instructional specialist, and district administrator. Her presentations at state and national conventions focus on leading innovative professional learning, student engagement, and opportunities for transformative teacher leadership.