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About Us
Leaders in Texas Professional Learning
Learning Forward Texas is a nonprofit organization committed to providing high-quality professional learning FOR professional learning to educators across Texas and beyond. Our mission is to connect and empower practitioners, ensuring every student is served by educators who engage in profound, high-impact professional learning as part of their daily routine. Our approach is rooted in the rigorous, research-based Learning Forward Standards that ensure learning for adults translates into learning for students. Through our workshops, regional affiliate networks, webinars, and consulting services, we provide districts with the evidence-based support they need to ensure those designing and delivering professional learning are equipped with the confidence and expertise to make it impactful for students.
Mission and Values
Our Mission
Connect, inspire, and empower educators through quality professional learning to positively impact classroom practice.
Our Vision
Every student is served by educators who engage in profound, high-impact professional learning daily.
Our Values
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Collaboration
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Continuous Improvement
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Learning
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Passion
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is Learning Forward Texas’ decision-making body and consists of three state-wide officers: president, vice president, and finance officer. The officers and executive committee work closely with LFTX’s Executive Director and staff to leverage the power of professional learning to affect positive and lasting change in K-12 education. Numerous professional educators steer the association, prioritizing the needs of our members and keeping us in step with the realities educators face today. LFTX's leaders are active advocates for professional learning who contribute their time and expertise to ensure members have the support they need to be successful.
Dr. Chris Summers
President
Montgomery ISD
Donna Shillinglaw
BOD Member
Tyler ISD
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Dr. Marcy Corley
BOD Member
Frisco ISD
Dr. Nicole Zwahr
President-Elect
Katy ISD
Hanna Schramm
BOD Member
Comal ISD
Dr. Rob Thornell
BOD Member
NWEA
Dr. Glenda Horner
Past-President
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Ivan Cantu
BOD Member
Plano ISD
Valerie Minor
BOD Member
AVID
Jennifer Hiser
Financial Officer
Mesquite ISD
Katie Bazzani
BOD Member
Northside ISD
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Annice Garza
BOD Member
Los Fresnos Consolidated ISD
Dr. Kristina Feldner
BOD Member
Irving ISD
Dr. Becky Odajima
BOD Member
Midway ISD
LaCrisha Lewis
BOD Member
Prosper ISD
Consultants
Our facilitators have diverse backgrounds in training all areas of education to best meet the needs of our educators--superintendent to the paraprofessional. These influencers understand what drives student achievement.
Elita Driskill
Independent
Dr. Karen Nix
Independent
Diana Ely
Northside ISD
Janelle Persall
Independent
Denise Gonzalez
Indepenedent
Tim Persall
Independent
Trish Hinze
Independent
Terri Iles
Independent
Arden McLean
Northside ISD
Business Office
Wendy Cavett
Business Manager
(512) 266-2086, ext. 1
Debi Tanton
Director of Business Operations
(512) 266-2086, ext. 2
Lisa Ham
Director of Marketing
(512) 266-2086, ext. 3
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Janet Corder
Conference Coordinator
(512) 266-2086, ext. 4
Andrew Summers
Website Content Manager
Professional Learning Research
Learning Forward Texas offers engaging workshops developed using research-based strategies to boost adult learning and strengthen instructional leadership. Some of the research and resources that inform our work are listed below.
History
The Texas Staff Development Council (TSDC) was established in 1989 as an affiliate of the National Staff Development Council (NSDC) to provide networking opportunities and to promote quality staff development. We recognize that high-quality staff development is essential to creating schools in which all students and staff members are learners who continually improve their performance. TSDC’s practices are research-based and learner-centered. The Board of Trustees and staff of the National Staff Development Council announced as of September 1, 2010, NSDC is Learning Forward. In 2011, at the annual conference, Learning Forward Texas was officially unveiled as the organization's new name.
Looking for an opportunity to join the Learning Forward Texas team?
There are currently no openings for team members. Stay tuned for future openings!