Future-Proofing Education

January 15, 2025 (In-Person 8:30-1:00 TBD)

Focus: We kick off our condensed journey by understanding the unique challenges and needs of our educational communities. This session brings together teachers, leaders, and administrators to start conversations about what matters most in our schools. We'll make connections, support each other, and begin building practical, context-specific solutions that make sense for our unique situations.

Session II ~ Prioritizing Teaching and Reflective Practice
February 5, 2025, VIRTUAL (4:00-5:30 PM)

Focus: This session combines the essence of "Heart of the Matter" and "The Unexamined Class." We reaffirm our commitment to great teaching and learning amidst diverse demands from our constituents. Explore strategies to keep teaching and learning at the forefront of our school cultures. Emphasize the pivotal role of introspection and inquiry in cultivating a rich culture of learning, empowering educators to act as experts within their local contexts.

Speaker:

• Dr. David Daniel: Professor Emeritus at James Madison University and Program Director at the National Science Foundation, guiding us in creating cultures of investigation.

Session III ~ Infinite Horizon—Exploring the Boundless Possibilities (and Pitfalls) of Artificial Intelligence in Education
March 5, 2025: VIRTUAL (4:00-5:30 PM)

Focus: This session opens minds to the vast opportunities offered by artificial intelligence and asynchronous learning models. Presenting AI and online learning as complementary tools, we'll explore how these technologies can enrich and diversify the learning experience. Addressing skepticism, we invite educators to envision a future where technology enhances human connection, creativity, and pedagogical effectiveness.

Speaker:

• Sohan Choudhury: Co-founder of FlintK12, a leading AI platform for schools.

Session IV ~ The Social Fabric of Learning: Weaving Connections in Education
April 16, 2025 VIRTUAL (4:00-5:30 PM)

Focus: This session underscores the pivotal role of social connections in enriching the educational journey. We'll focus on establishing a strong sense of community within our schools, recognizing that a supportive and inclusive environment is key to effective learning. Exploring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives, we'll examine how these efforts contribute to building vital connections.

Speaker:

• Professor Alison Cook-Sather: Introducing the concept of pedagogical partnerships to transform classroom environments and make them more responsive to the needs and strengths of all learners.

Session V ~ Forward Together—Envisioning and Celebrating Educational Futures
May 14, 2025, IN-PERSON (8:30-1:00 PM) TBD

Focus: Our journey culminates with a reflective pause and a springboard into the future. We'll gather insights and experiences from the past months to envision the future of education. Facilitating forward-thinking discussions, we'll explore emerging trends, technologies, and pedagogies that will shape the landscape of learning.

In addition to future-gazing, this session celebrates our progress and partnership. Participants will share successes and learnings in a showcase of projects and innovations developed throughout the cohort. By sharing these artifacts of learning, we contribute to a shared repository of knowledge to inspire future educational endeavors.