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December 2021 

What's New with LFTX

Check out the What's New with the 2022 Conference. 

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Before registration for the 2022 Learning Forward Texas Annual Conference opens you need to be aware of the fantastic changes we have made based on your feedback from the last in-person conference.  

  • New Format - The conference will be three days in 2022. It will begin Monday afternoon, June 20, and conclude at noon on Wednesday, June 22. This will allow adequate time for travel. 

  • Shorter Sessions -  This year the sessions will be shorter than in the past, which will allow you to have more options. There will be 3-hour and 1 1/2 hour options. 

  • Call for Proposals - Texas ISDs are full of professional development rock stars and we want to give them an opportunity to share their ideas and initiatives in breakout sessions.  The Call for Session Proposals will begin on December 15.

  • Register now, pick your schedule later - Since we are having more breakouts and more choices, no need for you to make your learning plan upon registration. You will be able to make your choices and plan your learning at a later time. 

  • Conference Celebration -  This year marks the 30th Annual Conference! Watch for more information about how we will celebrate this significant milestone. 

 

With all of these changes, there are key components that we have brought with us for the 2022 conference.

  • Featured Speakers - Many of our amazing speakers are returning this year and, along with them, will be some new faces - Ken Shelton, Jim Knight, Sue Chapman, and many more.   

  • Learning Strands - LFTX will continue to focus on relevant topics including Leadership, Professional Learning, Culture and Climate, and Digital Learning.

  • Great Location - Our 2022 conference will return to the Irving Convention Center. It is in the middle of the Metroplex, close to airports, hotels, and Loc Colinas entertainment district.

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Watch for more information about hotels, registration, and speakers

on our 2022 Conference website. 

 

We want to see you in ‘22! 

Summer Professional Learning Survey

 

Twenty-one districts completed the survey on Summer Professional Learning with 76.2% responding they offer professional learning in the summer but it is not required. 

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The seven districts that do require a specific number of hours in the summer, gave varied responses with 57.1% saying they require 12 hours. 

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We hope this information will be helpful in making your summer professional learning plans and we appreciate everyone who took the time to respond.

Accepting Applications for LFTX Board of Directors

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Learning Forward Texas is looking for educators that live in Texas, and are interested in serving on the Learning Forward Texas Board of Directors. We are passionate about adults who learn so students can learn. If you are interested in serving this organization, please visit our website, LearningForwardTexas.org to apply or use the link below.

Click here to find more information about Board of Directors Applications 

Application accepted through December 17, 5:00 pm

Partner Content

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Welcome to MathVentures, a powerful coaching and professional learning process for improving mathematics instruction and empowering students as math learners. The MathVentures classroom investigation process helps teachers learn to monitor the impact of their instruction on student learning and make strategic adjustments in their teaching actions to help all students succeed.

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Launch MathVentures in your learning organization and see how this classroom investigation process builds a culture of shared responsibility and collective efficacy within your teams and school community. Engage your teachers in an exciting, collaborative exploration of math teaching and learning where both students and teachers experience the joy of rigorous mathematics and come to recognize themselves as mathematicians!

Order MathVentures today at Amazon.com or email MathVenturesCoaching@gmail.com for more information.

LFTX Blog

Holiday To-Do List: Take Care of Self

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A commitment to our own self-care and wellness is a gift we give ourselves that benefits everyone we touch. Use the holidays to reset your personal well-being and design a plan to maintain wellness throughout the second half of the school year.  Click to read the December blog 

Regional Affliates 

What are Regional Affiliates?

All Learning Forward Texas Regional Affiliates meet regularly to discuss professional learning topics that are relevant to their context and leadership responsibility is shared among participants.  

 

Next Spring we are starting Learning Forward Central Texas for districts in the Austin and San Antoni areas including ESC Region13 and 20. Contact Lisa Ham, ed@learningforwardtexas.org, if you are interested in serving on the Steering Committee for the organization of this group. 

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LFSETX - For districts in the Houston area including ESC Regions 4, 5, and 6. 

Thank you to CYFair ISD for sharing information about their Leadership Institutes with Learning Forward Southeast Texas. The next virtual meeting will be on January 25, 10:00 am and Region IV will be presenting. Click here for more information about LFSETX.

 

LFNTX - For districts in North Texas including ESC Regions 10, 11, and 12.

Thank you to Arlington ISD for hosting the November meeting. They also shared how they facilitate adult learning experiences that are both differentiated and collaborative opportunities. Learning Forward North Texas will be meeting at ESC Region 10 on January 14, 2022.  Click here for more information about the LFNTX Meeting.

 

LFWTX -  For districts in West Texas including ESC Regions 14, 15, 17, and 18.

Learning Forward West Texas will meet virtually on January 19, from 11:30 - 1:00 pm.  Contact Anna Jackson at ajackson@learningforwardtexas.com to join the meeting. 

Board Member Spotlight

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We are continuing our series to help “connect” you with our board members. We asked each board member to complete a survey that revealed some fun facts about them.

 

Arden McLean is this month’s featured Board Member. Arden is a Professional Learning Specialist at Northside ISD in San Antonio.   She is serving as an ex-officio member this year and has presented at both the Learning Forward Texas and National Annual Conferences. 

What is the most unusual job you have had? What did you learn from that experience?
Teaching is my second career.  Before that, I worked in MIS for my family's wholesale electronics distribution company.  And, yes, that is exactly as exciting as it sounds!  
 

If you could win an Olympic medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be?
Toss up between Pool Floating or Netflix Binging
 

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
Not really hidden - but does collecting unicorns count as a talent?
 

What's one hobby you would love to get into? 
Cooking - I have been doing Hello Fresh for about a year so I am getting better!
 

What is one thing that you include in every meeting or professional learning session you design?
Opportunities for participants to process new learning.

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Learning Forward Texas is better because of dedicated board members like Arden McLean! Follow her on Twitter @arden_mclean
 

LFTX Resources 

  • Professional Learning is self-care - Learning Forward Blog - Caring for ourselves is vitally important, but we should work to redefine self-care. We should focus on finding meaning and real satisfaction in our work and personal lives instead of covering up our stress and discontent.​

  • Hiring and Supporting New Teachers - Edutopia - Teachers are essential for student success, so it’s important for administrators to develop processes for selecting and supporting new faculty members.

  • Coaching during “other duties as assigned” Webinar - Learning Forward  December 16, 2 - 3 pm CST Join us for this informative and practical webinar to hear from coaches who are living in this tension but have found ways to cope, manage, and even thrive while coaching during “other duties as assigned.”

Upcoming Learning Events 

​In-Person Workshops 

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Virtual Synchronous

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Online Asynchronous

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Registration Opens January 3!

Learning Forward Texas Annual Conference June 20 - 22, 2022, Irving Convention Center

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District or Campus In-Person Workshops
Book Now for Spring and Summer 2022

Contact Lisa Ham with questions or to book a workshop in your district.

ed@learningforwardtexas.org

512-266-3086 ext. 1

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