Overview

Professional learning initiatives in schools come and go, and the constant cycling through programs can resemble fad diets--hype and hope followed by crash and burnout. In this timely book, professional learning providers Kasia M. Derbiszewska and T. Nicole Tucker-Smith share concrete strategies that will help you design professional development sessions that are compelling, convincing, and sustainable using the framework of Universal Design for Learning. Learn to recognize and reduce common barriers to effective PD. In each chapter, the authors clearly address the Purpose, Preparation, Implementation, and Benefits to Learning for each aspect of professional learning, as well as UDL Tidbits that help ensure the health and longevity of the initiative. If you are ready to take the leap toward creating healthy and sustainable professional learning, jump into the chapter that is most relevant to your needs. Get ready to consider the whole adult learner and apply practical strategies for cultivating and maintaining healthy, vibrant professional development that has a track record of success.

Full Product Details

9781930583740

Table of Contents

Reviews

[The authors] weave a powerful analogy of high-quality professional learning as a refueling station for the brain. As educators, we all crave time for inspiration, growth, and reflection, and we know these cravings cannot be satisfied with 'one-size-fits-all PD' and 'sit-and-get. This book is the ultimate menu to support a transition to 'supercharged PD.' With concrete, evidence-based 'a la carte' options that would improve the design of professional learning immediately, the text also provides a vision for why we must transform adult learning environments if we want to increase the outcomes of all learners. If you are a PD provider, you need this in your toolbox. - Katie Novak, Author, Assistant Superintendent of the Groton-Dunstable School District in Massachusetts and a leading expert on Universal Design for Learning implementation. With this book, you will be empowered to transform your school's professional development so that it engages educators in meaningful, productive learning opportunities. Explore dozens of resources and relatable analogies to ensure your professional development supports best practices for adult learning. This book models UDL in its design and every page is filled with examples that have a clear purpose and that benefit learning. - Allison Posey, Author and UDL Specialist

Author Information

Kasia Derbiszewska (pronounced Kah-shah Der-bih-sheh-ska) is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer for Learning Key, LLC. She specializes in the field of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and has a passion for designing inclusive and supportive environments that help all learners excel. Kasia designs and delivers keynote speeches, workshops, and offers one-on-one consulting support to school districts, universities and other organizations both nationally and internationally. A former high school English teacher and project manager at Harvard University's Causal Cognition in a Complex World Laboratory, Kasia earned her Ed.M. in Mind, Brain, and Education from Harvard University. She also has a B.A. in Secondary English Education and Slavic Languages and Literature from Indiana University. T. Nicole Tucker-Smith, founder and CEO of Lessoncast, helps schools implement professional learning initiatives focused on inclusive leadership and teaching practices, culturally responsive pedagogy, and equity best practice. Tucker-Smith was an assistant principal charged with planning professional development (PD) for a turnaround middle school in the Baltimore County Public Schools when she quickly realized that traditional PD methods were not going to lead to transformational results. This PD redesign led to the Lessoncast process - providing customized teacher learning experiences that capture the impact on classroom practice. Founded in 2011, Lessoncast offers its platform technology to schools, districts, consultants, and teacher education programs. With the unique lessoncast video format and interactive PD modules targeting specific teaching practices, educators engage in professional learning that is tailored for their individual needs and aligned with their community's goals. Tucker-Smith also leads the Jumpstart PD Network, a community of educators who access flexible PD options to engage in high-quality professional learning experiences that fit their needs, budget, and capacity. She has served as a teacher, supervisor of parent support services, principal, and systemwide coordinator of professional development and training for Baltimore County Public Schools and as a faculty member for Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Nicole is an international presenter on Universal Design for Learning, a member of the CAST National Faculty, and she provides her professional development expertise to support implementation of UDL in P12 and higher education learning environments. Tucker-Smith earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching from the University of Virginia and her Graduate Certificate in School Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University. Her awards and achievements include a Baltimore City Genius Award for Women Entrepreneurs and Visionaries and a Johns Hopkins University School of Education Society of Excellence Award. Nicole is a frequent speaker for education and entrepreneurship conferences. In addition, she has led state-level initiatives for Johns Hopkins University Center for Technology in Education and taught in the JHU Administration and Supervision program.

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