LSDC Academy IX

"Coaching for Coaches: In-Depth Professional Learning for School-Based Staff Developers"
Baton Rouge and Woodworth, Louisiana
North Group: Woodworth September 27, & 28 2010
South Group: Baton Rouge, October 4 & 5, 2010

This 5-day learning opportunity focuses on skills, attitudes, & dispositions including:
· Principles of Coaching;
· Conducting  a pre-conference, observation, and post-conference process;
· Communicating  with others to build trust and positive rapport;
· How to gain “entry” into classrooms;
· How to use a design tool for creating a professional development plan;
· Using the NSDC Standards as a tool for improving professional development; and
· Understanding, supporting, and assisting individuals in the change process.

Registration is $950.00. This  includes 2 books, a notebook, all print material, continental breakfast and lunch on 5 days. Academy space is limited to 25 persons per academy.

Contact Betty Kraft at 225.654.5371 or blkraft@cox.net or
Amy Allen at 225.205.4297 or agallen@cox.net for further information.

Download the Academy IX registration form.

LSDC provides the initial component of building a collaborative professional learning team: conducting effective outcome-driven team meetings. This work session sets the foundation for interactive learning with intentional scaffolding that guides the construction of a take-away team meeting tool box. Each participant will leave the ses-sion with the background knowledge and protocols to facilitate team meetings with confidence. LSDC will provide opportunities for healthy discourse about the value conflict brings to the team with learning strategies designed to resolve conflict productively. School teams are encouraged to attend. Situational learning makes for meaningful, results-driven implementation. LSDC is committed to making a difference in the lives of children and teachers.

North Group: Monday, October 18, 2010
Download the NORTH SESSION registration form.

South Group: Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Download the SOUTH SESSION registration form.

How do teachers, coaches, and school leaders start a conversation that leads to reflection and improved practice based on data?  The book, Tools and Talk:  Data, Conversation, and Action for Classroom and School Improvement, by Michael Murphy (NSDC, 2009), provides structures and suggestions to answer that critical question for anyone who works with classroom teachers to find new ways to improve student learning. 

Ready-to-use tools, gathering accessible and understandable data, kick start discussions around how to build learning-centered classrooms.  In addition to the tools and data, Murphy provides frameworks for conversations around the data, lending guidance to coaches and school leaders so they can discuss the findings in a collegial, collaborative, "meaning-seeking" way that encourages teachers to think critically about their own practices. 

With an emphasis on strengthening supportive relationships rather than evaluation and a "gotcha" interaction, Murphy shows principals and coaches how to gather and use data to improve teaching and contribute to school wide change.  Study two of the tools in this book, the Engagement Visit tool and the Instructional Management tool.  Learn how to use the tools and deliver powerful "side-by-side" conversations with teachers which will result in positive changes in practice.  See how teachers, when presented with non-evaluative data through easily-understandable tools, become eager for classroom visits and subsequent conversations.  View video clips and use these tools to practice gathering data.  See case studies and experience the "exchange" conferences after the tools to become comfortable developing these powerful conversations resulting in real, lasting change!  Leave with two tools you can immediately use so your conversations with teachers are real, meaty, and get to the "heart" of the relationship of teacher practices to student learning!

Contact Gypse Bryan at 225.922.5528 or gbryan@ebrschools.org for more information.

Download the Fall 2010 Learning Institute registration form.