LFTX Awards
2025 Outstanding Professional Learning Awards
Learning Forward Texas annually recognizes teams, campuses, or districts that utilize high-quality professional learning to impact student achievement. LFTX wants to recognize the great work of educational leaders whose professional learning initiatives have impacted student learning. ​
Applications are now closed. Please check back next year.​​
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Review this year's winners submissions below.
The award winner(s) will be recognized at their local school board meeting and at the Learning Forward Texas Annual Conference in June. Learning Forward Texas will include photos and additional award information on its website. This award is available to Learning Forward Texas members only.
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Applicants must:​
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Develop a Google Slides deck or PowerPoint presentation using the 2025 Learning Forward Texas Award Rubric as a guide. The scoring has changed with an increased emphasis on the impact of professional learning. ​
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Complete the online awards application form and include a public link to the Google Slides deck or PowerPoint presentation.
​*Winners from the previous year are ineligible.​
If you have questions about the application process
Contact Arden McLean.
Professional Learning Award Winners
Click the links below to view the presentations submitted as their application.
2025 Learning Forward Texas Outstanding Professional Learning Award Winners
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Fort Sam Houston ISD, Dr. Mina Schnitta, Assistant Superintendent, Teaching & Learning​​​​​​
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​Application Presentation ​​​​​​​
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Northside Professional Learning Department, Natalie Gray, Director of Professional Learning​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
2024 Learning Forward Texas Outstanding Professional Learning Award Winners
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Birdville ISD, Dr. Jennifer Perry, Executive Director of Instruction and Advanced Academics
- Professional Learning Department Application ​​​​​​​​​​​
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Frisco ISD, Marci Corley, Director of Professional Learning
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Professional Learning Department​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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2023 Learning Forward Texas Outstanding Professional Learning Award Winners
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Ferris ISD, Jessica Cain, Elementary Instructional Technology Specialist
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Klein ISD, Monica Shallenberger, Director of Professional Learning Professional Learning and Development Department
2022 Learning Forward Texas Outstanding Professional Learning Award Winners
Learning Forward Texas Outstanding Professional Learning
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Humble ISD, Deborah Perez, and Carolyn Finley, Teaching and Learning Department​​
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Midway ISD, Dr. Becky Odajima, Innovation and Learning Department
2021 Learning Forward Texas Outstanding Professional Learning Award Winners
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District Excellence
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Keller ISD, Valerie Minor and Suzanne McGahey
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Klein ISD, Monica Shallenberger and Carrie Douglass
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2020 Learning Forward Texas Outstanding Professional Learning Award Winners
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Campus Excellence
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Clear Creek ISD, Wedgewood Elementary, Buffie Johnson
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District Excellence
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Frisco ISD, Professional Development, Sherri Wakeland
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Team Excellence
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Dallas ISD, Professional & Digital Learning Team, Shannon Terry​
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2019 Learning Forward Texas Outstanding Professional Learning Award Winners
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Campus Excellence
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Lewisville ISD, Degan Elementary, Vanessa Stuart
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District Excellence
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Keller ISD, Professional Development, Jennifer Love, Sarra Smith, Kristie Herald
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Plano ISD, Professional Learning, Ashley Helms, Edna Phythian, Marcus Miller, Michelle Ribeiro
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Team Excellence
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Huntsville ISD Intermediate, Ashley Murray, Johanna Ullrich, and Marlie Shepperd
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2018 Learning Forward Texas Outstanding Professional Learning Award Winners
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Campus Excellence
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Prosper ISD, Westlawn Elementary, Garry Gorman
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District Excellence
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Arlington ISD, Shannon Terry
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Superintendent Excellence
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Irving ISD, Dr. DeAnn Powell​
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Team Excellence
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Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, Professional Learning, Shea Stanfield-McGarrah
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Learning Forward Academy Scholarships
Terri Iles - LFTX Academy Scholarship
The Learning Forward Academy provides a forum for educators to analyze their practices and engage in dedicated, uninterrupted think tank-type experiences with individuals from all facets of the education. Learning Forward Texas annually provides a scholarship for a member of our Texas affiliate to participate in the Learning Forward Academy.
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In June of 2020, Terri Iles retired after 5 years as Executive Director of Learning Forward Texas. Terri has a passion for professional learning and she loves Texas. She wanted to ensure that LFTX supported the Academy by providing support and funding for a Texan to participate. At the June Board meeting, the LFTX board unanimously voted to name our academy scholarship the Terri Iles Learning Forward Texas Academy Scholarship.
Past LFTX Academy Scholarship Recipients
2025 Scholarship Winner
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Karla Martinez Quiroz, Bilingual Teacher/Leadership Team Member, Houston ISD
2024 Scholarship Winner
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Alana Trammell, Instructional Coach, Prairie Lea ISD
2023 Scholarship Winners
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Jessica Cain, Assistant Principal, Lucy Mae McDonald Elementary School, Ferris ISD, Academy Class 2025
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Kathryn Laster, Consultant, Academy Class 2025 - sponsored by Star Learner Academy
2022 Scholarship Winner
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Janie Stach, Director of Instructional Technology, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Academy Class 2024
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2020 Scholarship Winner
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Becky Odajima, Director of Innovation and Learning, Midway ISD, Academy Class 2022
2019 Scholarship Winner
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Joe Clark, Director of Performing and Visual Arts, Spring ISD, Academy Class 2021​
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2018 Scholarship Winner
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Marcus Miller, Coordinator for Employee Learning, Plano ISD, Academy Class of 2020
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Edna Phythian, Coordinator of Professional Learning, Plano ISD, Academy Class of 2020
LFTX Academy
The Learning Forward Academy is custom-built for each participant or team to match your needs.
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Are you ready to:​
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Construct knowledge and develop strategies to overcome challenges and improve educator practice?
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Join a vibrant and engaged learning community of fellow educators who are connected virtually and live?
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Become the professional learning subject-matter expert for your organization?
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Implement professional learning in your environment that ultimately increases student achievement?
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If you answered yes to any of the above questions, Learning Forward's Academy is right for you. Learning Forward Texas has several scholarship opportunities available each year.
