This past week we were blessed to take part in the International Learning Forward Conference again in person! It was great to see over 5,000 educators back in-person learning and networking together. This conference focuses on professional development, student empowerment, and equity. The learning that our Kaneland staff does at this conference has created many of our district structures, such as MTSS, Kaneland Connects, our IgKnight Keynotes, Learning Walks, and so many more! Although for the next year you will see much more depth in topics we will be bringing back to our district, the team that attended wanted to share initial ideas and take away lessons from the amazing sessions. Here are a few briefs on our learning:
-Be sure your bookcases represent your students and the world around you. Students need to see themselves!
-The graphic below shares the diversity in text.
-Student need and deserve: the ability to see themselves modeled in literature, and learning, adults that are committed to changing learning and culture to meet their needs, and to learn how to celebrate the world and create it to what they deserve!
-Inquiry circles provide educators opportunities to hear actions and needs through the student lens.
-Mood Meter. Not only does it help the teacher understand how each student is feeling as they enter the learning space, but it also gives students the vocabulary they may not have for naming their emotions.
-Powerful sharing and quotes:
-Perseverance in researching and developing actions around a problem of practice is accomplished through the LF Academy. Congrats to Carrie and Laura!
Thank you to the 14 staff members who attended and took time out of their weekend to attend. Your dedication to professional learning and making personal time sacrifices do not go unnoticed! We value you!
Learning Forward Kaneland by the Numbers:
14 staff attended from Kaneland
Over 16 hours of fun road trip collaboration while driving down and back
2 Academy Graduates
273 hours of learning
Over 200 pages of notes taken
Over 60 sessions attended
Connections made in and outside of sessions…..NUMEROUS!
