Spring 2025
Network Professional Learning Opportunities
Welcome to Leaders Connect’s 2025 Professional Learning hub! This year, we’re excited to offer a diverse range of opportunities designed to inspire collaboration, empower leadership, and provide actionable solutions to today’s educational challenges.
These offerings are designed with your feedback in mind—thank you to everyone who shared their ideas and insights. Your input has been invaluable in shaping the network's programming.
Explore our offerings below and take advantage of the Pre-Registration Process to secure your spot in spring Communities of Practice and Impact Institutes sessions.
A Note About 2025 Offerings
As we finalize our list of participating districts, these offerings remain in draft form. The number of members will determine our capacity to provide these opportunities. Look for final schedules to be available in early January 2025!
Interested in joining or renewing your district’s membership?
LEADERS CONNECT SPRING 2025
Offerings Overview
Each offering is crafted to meet the unique needs of educators and school leaders across our network.
Communities of Practice
Collaborate, Connect, and Grow Together
Join Job-Alike Groups to connect with peers in similar roles, addressing challenges specific to your position.
Explore critical educational challenges in Topic-Based Groups that focus on actionable solutions.
Meet 3-4 times between January and April, with schedules and discussion topics determined collaboratively by members.
Impact Institutes
Flexible, Virtual Professional Learning
Learning Lab Series: Multi-session deep dives on transformative topics like instructional coaching, data-driven leadership, and deeper learning.
Power Hours: New this year! One-time, workshop-style sessions on timely topics, offered weekly for maximum flexibility.
Led by experts from across the network, with insights designed for immediate application.
Empowering Leadership Summit
An In-Person Event to Inspire and Connect
Join us in late Feb / early Mar 2025 for a day of inspiration, collaboration, and innovative thinking - free registration for all network members
Celebrate successes and leave with actionable ideas to take back to your school or district.
Network with colleagues and thought leaders while exploring solutions to pressing educational challenges.
Peer Connect Network
Connect with Colleagues, Share Insights
Pair up with educators from other districts through our Collegial Matchup feature.
Discuss shared interests, explore challenges, and exchange strategies in a flexible format.
Meet 3-4 times between January and April, with schedules and discussion topics determined collaboratively by members.
Leaders Connect: On Air
Podcasts for Flexible Learning
Tune in to our new podcast series featuring expert insights and member stories on key educational topics.
Learn on your schedule with episodes tied to our Impact Institute content.
Discover fresh ideas and actionable strategies from voices across the Leaders Connect network.
Resource Hub
Share, Discover, and Collaborate
Access tools, templates, and best practices shared by network members.
Use the discussion platform to connect with peers and exchange ideas for school success.
Contribute your own resources to help others and build collective knowledge.
Bi-Weekly Email Newsletter
Stay Connected and Informed
Receive bi-weekly emails packed with updates on network events, upcoming professional learning, and opportunities to grow.
Access curated resources and effective practices tailored to the needs of our network.
Celebrate the great work happening across our partner districts, with highlights of success stories and initiatives.
Grant Writing Opportunities
Expand Your Resources with Leaders Connect
Join funding proposals spearheaded by the Leaders Connect team to grow the network’s scope or size.
Benefit from full-service grant writing and submission support for federal and non-profit funding opportunities.
Collaborate with peers on projects like the recent STEM-focused EIR federal grant developed with 8 partner districts.
Support for Principal Supervisors
Empowering Those Who Lead Principals
Strengthen your coaching skills with personalized feedback and support from the Leaders Connect team.
Get help pre-planning or refining your coaching sessions to maximize impact.
Focus on supporting principals as a key lever for school success while building your own leadership capacity.
LEADERS CONNECT SPRING 2025
Communities of Practice
Collaborate, Connect, and Grow Together
Join a Leaders Connect Community of Practice (CoP) to collaborate with educators and leaders tackling real-world challenges in education. These dynamic, network-led spaces are facilitated by experienced educators and designed to foster meaningful discussions, share strategies, and explore actionable solutions. Each CoP creates a supportive environment where participants can dive deeply into challenges they face in their roles or focus on key topics shaping today’s schools.
Each CoP meets 3-4 times between January and April, with schedules developed collaboratively by group members.
This spring, we’re offering two types of Communities of Practice to meet your needs:
Job Alike Groups
Collaborate with peers in similar roles to address challenges specific to your position. From superintendents to school counselors, these groups create space for shared understanding and problem-solving, with discussion topics determined collaboratively by the group.
Superintendents
Assistant Superintendents and Chief Academic Officers
Principals
Assistant Principals
Instructional Coaches
English Learner (EL) Leaders
Leadership and Professional Development Support Leaders
Operations Leaders
Human Resources (HR) Leaders
Athletics Leaders
School Counselors
Topic-Based Groups
Explore critical educational topics such as rethinking school safety, addressing chronic absenteeism, or scaffolding deeper learning for diverse learners. Topics evolve based on participants’ needs, ensuring that discussions are both relevant and impactful.
Rethinking School Safety
Learning about innovative approaches to creating safe, supportive learning environments.
Building and Sustaining Collaborative Teams
Exploring strategies to develop and maintain effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) or grade-level teams.
Engaging Families and Communities in School Success
Addressing challenges in building authentic, sustainable partnerships with families and community stakeholders.
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and Student Attendance Issues
Examining root causes of absenteeism and designing interventions to ensure every student feels connected to school.
Scaffolding Deeper Learning for Diverse Learners
Addressing how to ensure all students, including those with additional needs, access and succeed in deeper learning experiences
Supporting Struggling Readers Across All Grade Levels
Diving into evidence-based practices for literacy instruction, including the Science of Reading.
Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being for Students and Staff.
Sharing effective approaches to address the rise in anxiety, stress, and mental health needs in schools.
Integrating STEM and Career-Connected Learning
How to design and implement interdisciplinary STEM units that connect classroom learning to real-world applications.
Creating Systems of Support for English Learners
Sharing strategies to ensure English learners receive the support they need to thrive academically and socially.
Using Instructional Coaching to Drive Teacher Growth
Exploring ways to make coaching more impactful, whether through modeling, observation, or data-driven feedback.
Designing Student-Centered Classrooms for Deeper Learning
Exploring strategies to shift from teacher-led instruction to student-driven inquiry and collaboration.
Project-Based Learning for Authentic Engagement
How to create and sustain high-quality projects that connect learning to real-world challenges.
Developing Critical Thinking Skills Across the Curriculum
Sharing best practices to embed analysis, problem-solving, and evaluation in daily instruction.
Assessment for Deeper Learning
Moving Beyond Tests. Collaborating on ways to use performance tasks, portfolios, and other authentic assessments to measure deep understanding.
Be part of a vibrant learning community committed to continuous growth and shared success!
LEADERS CONNECT SPRING 2025
Impact Institutes
Flexible, Virtual Professional Learning
Our Impact Institutes are thought-provoking virtual sessions designed to address the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in education. Led by experts from across the Leaders Connect network, these sessions provide actionable strategies and fresh perspectives to enhance your leadership and teaching practices.
This spring, we’re offering two flexible options to meet your schedule and learning preferences:
Learning Lab Series
Engage in multi-session deep dives on transformative topics like building continuous improvement cultures, data-driven decision-making, and trauma-informed leadership. These 3-4 part series allow for sustained learning and collaboration, with session schedules determined by participant availability.
Creating Conditions for Deeper Learning Through Classroom Culture
Exploring how collaboration, reflection, and a growth mindset create an environment where deeper learning thrives.
Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement in Schools
Exploring strategies to develop and maintain effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) or grade-level teams.
Effective Data-Driven Decision Making for School Leaders
Gain tools to analyze and act on data to improve instructional quality and student outcomes.
Transformative Instructional Coaching: Moving Beyond Compliance
Discover how to build coaching systems that inspire teacher growth and prioritize impactful practices.
Innovative Scheduling for Maximizing Learning Time
Examine creative scheduling strategies to support intervention, enrichment, and collaboration within the school day.
Trauma-Informed Leadership: Supporting Student and Staff Well-Being
Learn how to lead with empathy and structure systems to address the impacts of trauma on learning and workplace culture.
Integrating AI and EdTech into Instructional Practices
Explore practical applications of emerging technologies to enhance teaching and learning.
Rethinking Student Engagement: Strategies for Active Participation
Explore innovative methods to captivate students’ interest and sustain engagement in learning.
Navigating Challenges in Family and Community Engagement
Learn how to build meaningful relationships with families and communities to enhance school support and collaboration.
Building Strong Home-School Partnerships with Multilingual Families
Explore strategies to engage multilingual families in their children’s education, fostering collaboration and trust. Gain tools to address language barriers and cultural differences while promoting family involvement in school success.
Power Hours
New this semester, these one-time workshop-style sessions offer quick, impactful learning on a variety of timely topics. Offered weekly at different times, Power Hours make it easy to join discussions that align with your interests without a long-term commitment.
Safety and Crisis Management in Schools
Explore best practices for preparing, preventing, and responding to emergencies, ensuring a safe environment for students and staff.
Building a Culture of Sportsmanship and Leadership
Explore how athletic programs can develop student-athletes as leaders and role models within their schools and communities.
Integrating SEL in Athletics
Discover how to use sports as a platform to teach social-emotional skills like teamwork, resilience, and goal-setting.
Mastering the Essentials of Inquiry-Based Learning
How to craft essential questions and facilitate inquiry that leads to deeper student engagement and understanding.
The Science of Reading: Implications for School Leaders
Understand the key principles of the Science of Reading and how to lead its implementation effectively.
Balancing Accountability and Support in Teacher Evaluations
Explore ways to ensure evaluations are constructive, growth-oriented, and aligned with teacher and student success.
Reimagining Professional Learning Communities for Results
Learn how to refocus PLCs on meaningful collaboration that drives instructional improvement.
Leveraging Local Partnerships to Enhance Career-Connected Learning
Discover strategies to connect students with community resources and real-world learning opportunities.
Using Instructional Rounds to Build a Collaborative School Culture
Explore how instructional rounds can create shared understanding and a culture of learning among staff.
Effective Practices for Supporting New Teachers and Staff
Learn strategies to create welcoming, supportive environments that help new educators thrive.
Enhancing SEL Through Leadership Practices
Examine how to integrate social-emotional learning into your leadership practices to support staff and students.
Preparing for State Assessments Without Losing Focus on Real Learning
Learn to balance test preparation with deep, meaningful instruction that supports student growth.
Fostering Innovation Through Design Thinking in Schools
Explore how design thinking principles can spark creativity and problem-solving among staff and students..
Using Technology to Amplify Deeper Learning
Leveraging tools like AI, digital simulations, and collaborative platforms to support deeper learning experiences.
From Rigor to Relevance: Strategies for Deeper Learning
Practical approaches to make learning more meaningful by aligning tasks to real-world contexts and problems.
Hot Topics in Education
A Mid-Year Policy and Practice Update. Stay informed about the latest educational trends, policies, and practices shaping the field.
Quick Wins for Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
Discover practical strategies to improve attendance and reconnect students to their learning communities.
Managing Change
Tips for Leading Through Transitions. Gain insights into navigating organizational change with resilience and clarity.
Mastering Difficult Conversations with Staff and Families
Learn techniques to handle challenging conversations while maintaining trust and respect.
Maximizing Impact in Short Observation Cycles
Explore how to make the most of brief classroom visits to support teacher growth.
Unpacking the New Trends in AI and Student Learning
Examine how artificial intelligence is influencing education and how to harness its potential in schools.
Addressing Teacher Burnout and Boosting Morale
Identify strategies to support teacher well-being and foster a positive school culture.
Rethinking School Safety in a Post-Pandemic World
Learn about innovative approaches to creating safe, supportive learning environments.
Understanding the Latest Research on Effective Feedback
Dive into evidence-based feedback strategies that drive meaningful improvement.
Celebrating Success: How to Share Wins and Build Momentum
Discover ways to highlight achievements and foster a culture of positivity and progress.
Language Development Across the Curriculum
Learn how to embed language objectives into all content areas to support English Learners in developing academic and social language. Examine practices for integrating speaking, listening, reading, and writing into daily instruction for all disciplines.
Whether you choose a Learning Lab Series or drop into a Power Hour,
you’ll leave with practical insights and actionable ideas to tackle today’s educational challenges.
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