Conversation #28 explores a district strategy for leveraging foundation relationships to fund partnerships with innovative professional learning organizations. Julie Moore is an energized and thoughtful district leader who has launched incredible programming with funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and others. As Assistant Superintendent of Innovation & Learning at Liberty Public Schools, outside of Kansas City, Missouri, Julie has her partners on speed dial, always on the lookout for opportunities that advance her district's 2030 vision.

"Our approach to innovation and learning is deeply rooted in collaboration – both within our district and through strategic external partnerships. Our internal capacity was showcased beautifully on Valentine's Day when we hosted a district-wide professional learning (PL) event centered around five hubs:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
2. Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
3. Real-World Learning
4. MTSS
5. Our Graduate Profile

Each hub featured a community keynote speaker and sessions led by our teachers. We had an impressive 79 presentations, making sure to include our paraprofessionals by soliciting their learning interests. The planning for this large-scale PL day is a collaborative effort starting in August. I typically set the vision for the day and our talented innovation and learning coaches bring it to life, shaping the program for each hub and identifying rockstar teachers to lead the workshops.

Our innovation coaches are a vital part of our professional learning ecosystem throughout the school year. Their role evolved from focusing on in-depth unit work with individual teachers, now they actively participate in early release Wednesday Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) at each building, supporting teachers in data analysis. They facilitate 'Bright Spots' visits between schools, where teachers observe effective practices in action, creating a safe space for honest conversations about challenges. They also lead our comprehensive new teacher induction program and provide ongoing support throughout their initial years.

Our Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Michelle Schmitz, is leading our district's exploration into AI. She spearheaded the AI hub on our February PL day and is collaborating with the Agile Network on studies with our teachers. Working with our curriculum council, they’re developing competency-based lessons and at the middle school level, we’re exploring tools like SchoolAI and Chat GPT.

As the sole K-12 representative in the Education Reimagined cohort, we have networked with a diverse group of nonprofits and partners. We hosted Katie Martin as a keynote speaker after engaging with her insightful work. I visited Forney School District with 20 other districts to explore the future of high school. And our partnership with Michael McDowell & Core Collaborative has been instrumental in embedding high-impact instructional strategies across our district."