Do you have one or two educators that could benefit from a particular training? Or maybe you want to attend a session to see about bringing it to your district or campus? Open sessions provide an opportunity to get the lead4ward professional learning experience you depend on. All open sessions are in Central time zone and most are offered virtually. Questions? Email [email protected] or call us at 512.201.2999 ext. 5.
Looking for help planning your sessions? Download now!
open sessions for leaders and teachers
This class helps teachers and leaders make the most of PLC planning time by using lead4ward field guides to unlock ideas for approaching and addressing the content and process standards.
what you’ll learn:
- how to dig into the field guide components to leverage the field guide content
- how to use the field guides to drive instructional conversations and collaboration in PLCs (we’ll practice with sample scenarios and guiding questions)
- how to connect learning objectives to the implications for instruction
- how to examine common misconceptions and error patterns to plan proactive instruction and intervention
- how to use the latest and greatest features in the lead4ward field guides, including subject-specific process rubrics and instructional strategies
your solution for:
- improving planning and PLC discourse while spending less time figuring out what kids need most
- helping teachers understand the context in which each student expectation fits into the big picture, as well as the specifics that inform instruction
- building content knowledge with explanations, stimulus identification, and essential vocabulary
open sessions for principals and leadership teams
What are we learning from STAAR 2.0 … and how can we use the data and lead4ward tools to strategically inform our instructional leadership? Let’s thoughtfully analyze released items, frequency distribution, and statewide and local performance data to discover practical insights and identify actionable takeaways!
In this session, we’ll:
- explore lessons learned from the redesigned STAAR tests
- model and rehearse specific strategies that directly support the cognitive demands of the new item types, including:
- unpacking and clarifying the question/prompt
- making connections and layered thinking
- effectively engaging with vocabulary
- building fluency and flexibility with stimuli
- responding to open-ended items such as constructed response, equation editor, text entry, fraction model, graphing, and number line
- comprehending text, various item types, and visuals
Through engaging and structured activities, we’ll use a variety of data to determine the implications of STAAR 2.0 and our priorities for effective instruction that target growth, student thinking, and engagement. Together, we’ll connect the lessons we can glean from the data so we know where to take action!
Leaders know that hiring and retaining high-quality teachers is extremely important. Leaders also know that the demands on an early-to-career teacher can make this an especially difficult endeavor. Equally challenging can be establishing the right mindset, priorities, expectations, and support to develop effective, committed, and confident teachers. So how do we become the leaders our new teachers want and need?
New teachers have specific needs. They also bring much-needed energy, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas to the campus and classroom. An intentional and supportive leader can make the difference between success and frustration for early-to-career teachers. During this class, we’ll explore what new teachers need from an effective leader and how to prioritize support for two essential goals for new teachers, making the first years on your campus the first of many successful years to come!
open sessions for special educators
The research is clear on what works in teaching students with disabilities: specially designed instruction should be intensive, strategic, supportive of foundational skills, and focused on generalization. How do we provide proactive rather than reactive instruction for students with disabilities across settings, but particularly in the inclusive classroom?
This session will re-imagine specially designed instruction by introducing practical, streamlined routines that prioritize high-impact curriculum standards. These routines create opportunities to learn without disrupting classroom instruction, help us know more about what our students can do, and support meaningful progress in the TEKS and the IEP. Through this context, we’ll begin to explore evidence-based interventions in reading language arts and math that have been found to improve student independence and learning outcomes for the diversity of students we serve.
Special Educators will learn how to help students:
- get started with rigorous content
- build independence in learning the content
- focus on what is important
- apply their learning
- make connections
- monitor their own progress and develop self-determination
How can we influence the mindset of educators and students in all settings to create an engaging and enriching classroom environment that fosters positive student behavior, cultivates willingness to take risks, and fuels remarkable student achievement?
In this interactive session, we’ll dive into the power of a growth mindset and its profound impact on student learning as well as the importance of educators AND students building resilience, persistence, and a love of learning. Together, we’ll explore ways to encourage struggling students to embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and develop a belief in their abilities to grow and successfully learn. Additionally, we’ll discuss proactive approaches that foster respect, responsibility, and cooperation among students; methods to address challenges; and ways to create an inclusive learning space where every student feels valued and supported.
Participants will:
- learn effective strategies that emphasize a growth mindset and establish a positive and engaging classroom culture
- gain practical insights and lead4ward tools to create a supportive classroom environment for diverse learners
- examine real-world case studies and success stories
- collaborate with fellow educators to share best practices and innovative ideas
- develop a plan of action for implementing strategies effectively in your school/classroom
Through actionable methods that integrate behavior management and growth mindset principles into teaching practices, we can motivate and inspire students to set and achieve personal and academic goals and establish a culture of continuous improvement and academic success!
open sessions for literacy educators
going from HOW? to WOW!
How can we use our lead4ward tools with district curriculum and literacy instructional materials to get the most from all available resources, including state-identified HQIMs? Increasingly, educators have multiple resources they are expected to internalize, vet, and implement with integrity. When preparing Tier 1 instruction, educators must ensure instructional materials:
- tightly align with the TEKS and STAAR
- enable ongoing progress monitoring and reflection
- provide universal access for all learners
- support transfer of learning from instruction to STAAR and local assessments
In this session, we’ll explore how instructional materials can be built upon and enriched to provide opportunities for:
- student engagement and collaboration
- vocabulary development and reading comprehension
- oral and written response
- critical thinking and application of learning
- cross-curricular and real-world connections
Let’s connect the dots in literacy by using lead4ward tools to support and enhance your instructional materials. Together, we can improve instructional delivery that takes us from HOW? to WOW!
What are we learning from STAAR 2.0 … and how can we use the released items to drive effective Tier 1 instruction in the literacy classroom? Let’s analyze released items, frequency distribution, and statewide performance data to discover practical insights and identify actionable takeaways!
In this session, we’ll model and apply specific strategies that support the cognitive demands of the new item types, including:
- comprehending texts using layered thinking
- unpacking and clarifying the question/prompt
- synthesizing information to create new understanding
- using formal and informal writing to monitor and assess comprehension
- building fluency and practicing with vocabulary
- responding to open-ended items such as text entry, short constructed response, and extended constructed response
Through engaging and structured activities, we’ll determine the implications of STAAR 2.0 and our priorities for effective literacy instruction that target student growth, thinking, and engagement!
2024-25 hosted literacy academies
The lead4ward Literacy Academy hosted by Belton ISD engages educators from multiple districts in interactive, standards-based learning to strengthen their literacy practices. The Academy includes year-long support through four (4) face-to-face professional development sessions, virtual support, and optional instructional coaching. Using a learn-practice-reflect model, educators gain the confidence and competence to set in motion meaningful change to improve outcomes for all students. Hands-on practice, collaboration, and resources empower educators with the knowledge and skills to elevate teaching and allow learning to continue beyond the academy.
Essential Components & Outcomes:
- Reading and Language Arts TEKS Analysis
- Establishing Clear Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Effective Lesson Planning
- Aligning Standards, Instruction, and Assessment
- High Impact Instructional Routines and Strategies
- Engaging Learners, Developing Critical Thinkers, and Inspiring Writers
- Reading and Writing Integration
- Prioritizing Reading Comprehension and Writing Proficiency
- Strategic Review for STAAR 2.0
- Implementing Rockin’ Review Framework
The lead4ward Literacy Academy hosted by Belton ISD engages educators from multiple districts in interactive, standards-based learning to strengthen their literacy practices. The Academy includes year-long support through four (4) face-to-face professional development sessions, virtual support, and optional instructional coaching. Using a learn-practice-reflect model, educators gain the confidence and competence to set in motion meaningful change to improve outcomes for all students. Hands-on practice, collaboration, and resources empower educators with the knowledge and skills to elevate teaching and allow learning to continue beyond the academy.
Essential Components & Outcomes:
- Reading and Language Arts TEKS Analysis
- Establishing Clear Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Effective Lesson Planning
- Aligning Standards, Instruction, and Assessment
- High Impact Instructional Routines and Strategies
- Engaging Learners, Developing Critical Thinkers, and Inspiring Writers
- Reading and Writing Integration
- Prioritizing Reading Comprehension and Writing Proficiency
- Strategic Review for STAAR 2.0
- Implementing Rockin’ Review Framework
The lead4ward Literacy Academy hosted by Lubbock-Cooper ISD engages educators from multiple districts in interactive, standards-based learning to strengthen their literacy practices. The Academy includes year-long support through four (4) face-to-face professional development sessions, virtual support, and optional instructional coaching. Using a learn-practice-reflect model, educators gain the confidence and competence to set in motion meaningful change to improve outcomes for all students. Hands-on practice, collaboration, and resources empower educators with the knowledge and skills to elevate teaching and allow learning to continue beyond the academy.
Essential Components & Outcomes:
- Reading and Language Arts TEKS Analysis
- Establishing Clear Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Effective Lesson Planning
- Aligning Standards, Instruction, and Assessment
- High Impact Instructional Routines and Strategies
- Engaging Learners, Developing Critical Thinkers, and Inspiring Writers
- Reading and Writing Integration
- Prioritizing Reading Comprehension and Writing Proficiency
- Strategic Review for STAAR 2.0
- Implementing Rockin’ Review Framework
The lead4ward Literacy Academy hosted by Lubbock-Cooper ISD engages educators from multiple districts in interactive, standards-based learning to strengthen their literacy practices. The Academy includes year-long support through four (4) face-to-face professional development sessions, virtual support, and optional instructional coaching. Using a learn-practice-reflect model, educators gain the confidence and competence to set in motion meaningful change to improve outcomes for all students. Hands-on practice, collaboration, and resources empower educators with the knowledge and skills to elevate teaching and allow learning to continue beyond the academy.
Essential Components & Outcomes:
- Reading and Language Arts TEKS Analysis
- Establishing Clear Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Effective Lesson Planning
- Aligning Standards, Instruction, and Assessment
- High Impact Instructional Routines and Strategies
- Engaging Learners, Developing Critical Thinkers, and Inspiring Writers
- Reading and Writing Integration
- Prioritizing Reading Comprehension and Writing Proficiency
- Strategic Review for STAAR 2.0
- Implementing Rockin’ Review Framework
The lead4ward Literacy Academy hosted by Port Arthur ISD engages educators from multiple districts in interactive, standards-based learning to strengthen their literacy practices. The Academy includes year-long support through four (4) face-to-face professional development sessions, virtual support, and optional instructional coaching. Using a learn-practice-reflect model, educators gain the confidence and competence to set in motion meaningful change to improve outcomes for all students. Hands-on practice, collaboration, and resources empower educators with the knowledge and skills to elevate teaching and allow learning to continue beyond the academy.
Essential Components & Outcomes:
- Reading and Language Arts TEKS Analysis
- Establishing Clear Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Effective Lesson Planning
- Aligning Standards, Instruction, and Assessment
- High Impact Instructional Routines and Strategies
- Engaging Learners, Developing Critical Thinkers, and Inspiring Writers
- Reading and Writing Integration
- Prioritizing Reading Comprehension and Writing Proficiency
- Strategic Review for STAAR 2.0
- Implementing Rockin’ Review Framework
The lead4ward Literacy Academy hosted by Port Arthur ISD engages educators from multiple districts in interactive, standards-based learning to strengthen their literacy practices. The Academy includes year-long support through four (4) face-to-face professional development sessions, virtual support, and optional instructional coaching. Using a learn-practice-reflect model, educators gain the confidence and competence to set in motion meaningful change to improve outcomes for all students. Hands-on practice, collaboration, and resources empower educators with the knowledge and skills to elevate teaching and allow learning to continue beyond the academy.
Essential Components & Outcomes:
- Reading and Language Arts TEKS Analysis
- Establishing Clear Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Effective Lesson Planning
- Aligning Standards, Instruction, and Assessment
- High Impact Instructional Routines and Strategies
- Engaging Learners, Developing Critical Thinkers, and Inspiring Writers
- Reading and Writing Integration
- Prioritizing Reading Comprehension and Writing Proficiency
- Strategic Review for STAAR 2.0
- Implementing Rockin’ Review Framework
open sessions for math educators
going from HOW? to WOW!
How can we use our lead4ward tools with district curriculum and math instructional materials to get the most from all available resources, including state-identified HQIMs? Increasingly, educators have multiple resources they are expected to internalize, vet, and implement with integrity. When preparing Tier 1 instruction, educators must ensure instructional materials:
- tightly align with the TEKS and STAAR
- prioritize high-impact concepts and skills
- enable ongoing progress monitoring and reflection
- provide universal access for all learners
- support transfer of learning from instruction to STAAR and local assessments
- offer opportunities for:
- student engagement and collaboration
- comprehension
- oral and written communication
- rigorous thinking and application of learning
- real-world connections and multiple representations
- options for loopback
In this session, we’ll explore how your lead4ward tools can help you think through these considerations and enhance your instructional materials. While instructional materials provide support to address challenges such as scarce planning time and varied levels of teacher content knowledge or experience, they can be enriched for maximum alignment with the standards, student engagement, and learning! Together, we can improve instructional delivery in math that takes us from HOW? to WOW!
What are we learning from STAAR 2.0 … and how can we use the released items to drive effective Tier 1 math instruction? Let’s thoughtfully analyze released items, frequency distribution, and statewide performance data to discover practical insights and identify actionable takeaways!
In this session, we’ll:
- explore lessons learned from the redesigned STAAR tests
- model and rehearse specific strategies that directly support the cognitive demands of the new item types, including:
- unpacking and clarifying the question/prompt
- making connections and layered thinking
- effectively engaging with vocabulary
- building fluency and flexibility with stimuli
- responding to open-ended items such as equation editor, text entry, graphing, number line, and fraction model
- comprehending text, various item types, and visuals
Through engaging and structured activities, we’ll determine the implications of STAAR 2.0 and our priorities for effective math instruction that target growth, student thinking, and engagement!
more sessions coming soon
more sessions coming soon
open sessions for educators new to the profession
Helping first-year teachers grow and flourish is at the heart of this professional learning experience.
New teachers will work collaboratively to explore important beginning-of-year topics common to first-year teachers. Learn and experience engaging, low-prep ideas and strategies that can be used and applied with your own students and classrooms so you can confidently start the year off strong and be set up for success!
We’ll focus on:
- becoming an effective teacher
- getting ready for the first days
- managing time, space, and materials