Conversation #23 shows the power of professional learning frameworks and strategic partnerships when supporting teachers to scale deeper learning practices and AI innovation. I really appreciated hearing about the great work happening in Roanoke County Schools in Virginia from Michael Riley, Executive Director of Secondary Instruction.

"Our Professional Learning Community (PLC) model, established in 2013, remains central to our success. We operate with a clear vision, guided by our C-Change Framework, developed collaboratively with teachers, parents, and students to outline the district conditions necessary for deeper learning. Maintaining the integrity of our PLC model requires ongoing support for principals to lead effective PLCs that yield actionable outcomes. Our approach integrates deeper learning with content. We've seen examples where a project-based learning focus can overshadow content, and we believe there’s a path where both are integrated coherently for students.

Our Opportunity Ready Profile (ORP) initiative is another key focus. We’re developing a system to quantify growth skills for high school seniors, creating a competency framework that complements graduation requirements. We're rethinking our school calendar, incorporating virtual learning days so our entire staff has dedicated time for senior defenses and calibration. This broadens teacher exposure to culminating performance tasks, fostering deeper commitment to the ORP model. We're also laying the foundational skills for ORP at elementary and middle school levels through pilot programs like student-led conferences, preparing students to articulate their competency and content mastery from an early age. We utilized Title funds to build this work in alignment to our C-Change model through partnership with Envision Education.

Early on we saw the need for a strategic approach to AI adoption. We worked with Advanced Learning Partnerships and a group of Virginia division heads to build our organization policies. We then partnered with T.E.A.C.H., a local LLC, who provided professional learning for content supervisors, focusing on practical teacher facing applications like readily accessible GPTs for lesson planning and differentiated instruction. This collaboration, coupled with our network of early adopter AI classroom educators, recruited by our District Supervisors, helps us remain ahead of the AI curve.

We understand the importance of bringing everyone along on this journey, striving to avoid a scenario where some classrooms have the support to advance while others stay behind. We aim to strike a balance between encouraging early adopters to innovate and ensuring system-wide fidelity. We provide support for early adopters through stipends, substitute coverage, and professional development led by our division heads. Ultimately, our core mission is to provide a high-quality learning environment for all students."

Thank you Lori McEwen for making the connection!