The ACA Forum
Issue 4, May 2019
Continuous Professional Learning
Wow, it is hard to believe that we are at the end of the school year! Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the teachers and students on your campuses. For this issue, we want to recognize our 60 new certified coaches that completed the third cohort of the Advanced Coaching Academy! Since we are wrapping up the school year, we want to focus on continuous professional learning, and take a look at some resources that are available to you over the summer.
Advanced Coaching Academy Showcase - May 2, 2019
This year's Showcase was held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, where 60 coaches were celebrated for receiving their certification from the UF Lastinger Center. Dr. Harold Border, Chief of High Schools, kicked off the night as the Featured Speaker and shared that participating in ACA makes you stand out among your colleagues. Next, the coaches used a protocol to showcase their learning as a result of the Advanced Coaching Academy with principals and executive leaders. Dr. Phil Poekert, Director of the UF Lastinger Center, gave closing remarks to end the program. He inspired the coaches with thoughts on leadership, including "Find your North Star." He stated that we need a sense of where we are heading in order to make an impact. Special thanks to Tomicka Cadogan (Sun Blaze ES) and Samuel Murfee (Walker MS) for co-facilitating ACA with us this school year. Congratulations, coaches!
Stay Engaged Over the Summer!
Twitter Chats
One way to build your professional learning network (PLN), is by participating in Twitter Chats. Twitter Chats are a great way to engage in conversations centered around topics in education from the comfort of your own home! These chats occur regularly, usually at the same time and day of the week. Twitter Chats are followed by hashtags and are based around a specific topic. If you do not have a Twitter account already, now would be a great time to make one.
Some of our favorite chats to follow are:
- #OCPSChats - monthly on Mondays at 8 P.M.; look for these chats to start back up near the beginning of the school year! We will send out information regarding topics and specific dates. So far, we have had discussions around school culture and collective efficacy. Author of Collective Efficacy, Jenni Donohoo, joined our Twitter chat in April and interacted with participants!
- #satchat - Saturdays at 8:30 A.M.; this chat includes different educational topics; most recently, this chat was about school culture.
- #EduCoach - Wednesdays at 9:00 P.M.; this chat is specifically for coaches and teacher leaders. Resources and ideas are shared through discussion with others.
- #BookcampPD - Sundays at 7:30 P.M.; this chat highlights professional books and topics/trends in education.
In addition to Twitter chats, here are some accounts to follow on Twitter:
- OCPS News - @OCPSnews
- OCPS Professional Learning Department - @ocpsPL
- Susan Abbe (Executive Area Director, Professional Learning Department) - @susan_abbe
- Glenna Wyatt (Director, Instructional Development) - @GlennaEWyatt
- Kwani Woods (Senior Administrator, Instructional Development) - @kwani_woods
- Claire Steele (Program Specialist, Instructional Development) - @clairesteele24
- UF Lastinger Center - @LastingerCenter
- Jim Knight (his research is used throughout ACA) - @jimknight99
- Elena Aguilar (her research is used throughout ACA) - @brightmorningtm
- ASCD (professional organization) - @ASCD
- Learning Forward (professional organization) - @LearningForward
Professional Reading
Our department participates in a few book studies throughout the year. We are currently reading The Art of Coaching Teams, by Elena Aguilar. In this book, Aguilar discusses how to develop and lead a team to success. There are reflective questions to think about as an individual, or to discuss with your team. We have used many of the questions in Chat and Chews as we discuss leadership.
Conferences
Another great way to participate in continuous professional learning is by attending professional conferences. ASCD is hosting their 2019 Conference on Teaching Excellence: Building Resilient Schools in Orlando from June 25-27. There is a fee to register and attend. Please click here for more information regarding this conference.
Do you have a professional book you are currently reading? Are you participating in Twitter Chats? Are you attending any conferences or leading any professional learning sessions? We want to hear from you!
How are you going to engage as a continuous learner this summer? Please click here to share any resources or a commitment to what you will do this summer (you must be signed into your OCPS account).
Kwani Woods
Senior Administrator, Instructional Development
Professional Learning Department
Email: kwani.woods@ocps.net
Location: 445 West Amelia Street, Orlando, FL, USA
Twitter: @kwani_woods
Claire Steele
Program Specialist, Instructional Development
Professional Learning Department
Email: claire.steele@ocps.net
Location: 445 West Amelia Street, Orlando, FL, USA
Twitter: @clairesteele24