Strengthening Foundations for Success...

Becoming an effective teacher is a journey. This two-day intensive workshop offers early career and experienced teachers alike a chance to focus on skills and topics that will have a high-leverage impact on instruction, achievement, teacher satisfaction, and teacher retention. We focus on the practical application of strategies that can impact classroom practice from the first days of the school year and remain durable across a career. 

The workshop may be offered in two consecutive or non-consecutive days. Packages will be differentiated for district needs; pricing is commensurate with the level of customization required. 

Topics may include: 

Teaching and Learning

• Utilizing learning targets in lesson construction to support and synthesize learning 
• Implementing high-impact, engaging instructional strategies
• Make effective use of formative assessment to inform instruction and planning
• Establishing core approaches to unit planning
• Employing data-informed practices to improve student outcomes

Classroom Culture

• Building a strong, learning-centered culture in the classroom
• Developing core strategies for classroom engagement and management 
• Considering how a growth mindset can support a positive learning environment and achievement
• Partnering with families

Self Care

• Practicing self-care
• Staying anchored to the heart and joy of teaching

Teacher Observation, Collaboration, and Support...

The demands and constraints of school administrators often limit the amount of time for instructional support and leadership. Supporting teachers to grow beyond their current skill level to the next level takes time that is often unavailable. Yet, we know that the most important school-based factor in student achievement is the quality of the instruction students receive. Tom works to support schools by working with teachers individually and in small groups. Services range from helping novice teachers to increase capacity in fundamental best practices to assisting veteran teachers to examine their practice and make adjustments to facilitate continuous improvement. Tom will differentiate tools, supports, and frameworks to complement school and district initiatives.

"With a talent for asking good questions, a keen eye for classroom observation, and an ability to be directly challenging while still being supportive, Tom is able to coach his teachers to a higher level of performance.” 

~  Kate Gardoqui, Great Schools Partnership 

Breathing new life into the heart of teaching...

For years the educational best practices have espoused the power of helping students find their voice, make informed choices as they seek to meet standards, work collaboratively, assess themselves, and lead their own learning. Simultaneously, too often, schools have remained rooted in a professional development system that is top-down driven and is not differentiated for teachers’ most critical needs. 

With scaffolded support, Tom works with schools to develop Professional Learning Communities that are structured to collaboratively support teachers’ needs to become more effective with their craft. Tom’s goal is to help schools build PLC's that teachers are enthusiastic about attending. 

"I appreciate the support and positive feedback that you have provided staff."

~  Workshop Participant

How can we help our community with our learning? 

As we emerge from the pandemic, students need, perhaps more than ever, meaningful ways to connect with their communities.  Also,  educators need, perhaps more than ever as well, engaging strategies that will inspire students. When we ask, “How can we help people with our learning?” classroom culture can be transformed, and standards-driven, durable learning can happen. This workshop provides teachers and administrators with the fundamentals of this strategy and the great potential it offers in every school.   

How do we create lessons and classes in which kids forget about their phones for a while?

This workshop focuses on helping teachers expand the tools they can use to engage students actively in their learning. Strategies presented vary from more traditional methods that require a high degree of student engagement to physically active strategies that get students moving and physically interacting with each other. 

We can't hit what we can't see...

Under the weight of school curriculums and institutional inertia, it is all too common for classrooms to be Activity-Based vs. being Learning-Based. Learning Targets (LTs) are a high-leverage instructional tool required to provide a foundation for a myriad of best instructional practices. Most importantly, LTs provide a pivot point to move learning from a set of teacher goals to students taking ownership of their learning progress. This workshop helps teachers see how the effective use of Learning Targets throughout lessons and units can revolutionize classrooms and supercharge student learning. 

"I appreciate the information that you provided; it gave me a lot to think about."

~  Workshop Participant