While school was out for the summer, Garland ISD campus staff continued holding classes to prepare for 2015-16. The district hosted its inaugural Leader Led Learning Academy in late July. This daylong conference—designed by principals, for principals—covered best practices for running a campus, managing staff, inspiring innovation and ensuring student engagement.
“The L3 Academy was an exciting opportunity for our leaders to learn from each other,” said Professional Development Specialist Melissa Hill. “We have so many fantastic principals doing amazing things in this district, but rarely do they have time set aside in their busy schedules to share, collaborate and learn from their peers. This event provided strategies they were able to take back and share with their teachers and students.”
Offering 25 sessions, the unique event focused on research-based components of highly effective instruction, known as the Fundamental Five, in addition to improving student achievement through Data-Driven Instruction, or teachers’ use of student assessment results to plan lessons. Session topics included Using Multiple Response Strategies to Solicit Engagement, Teaching Students to Write Critically, Making the Fundamental Five Come Alive in Small Groups and How to Build a Data-Driven Culture.
“This was one of the highest-quality, choose-your-learning conferences I have been to. The sessions were relevant and practical,” commented Liberty Grove Elementary School Principal Elisa Wittrock.
“I loved that we were able to hear from peers and learn from their mistakes and success,” wrote another attendee on a conference evaluation. “This is what true collaboration should be. We should be encouraging each other to make differences on our campuses.”
For more professional development activities occurring across GISD, visit the department’s website.
Information provided by Garland ISD.