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Webinar Highlights: LF Academy + KickUp on Sustained Professional Learning

KickUp and Learning Forward Academy brought together Peter DeWitt, Hanna Schramm, and Ming Shelby for a conversation on how district leaders can design summer professional learning with the full year in mind, and build the follow-through structures that keep that investment alive in October, January, and May.

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Teacher Mentorship & Induction

Instructional Leadership

Teacher Retention

News & Announcements

Teacher Evaluation

Instructional Coaching

Webinar Highlights: What's Working in New Teacher Mentorship

KickUp and Learning Forward Academy hosted a conversation on what's working in New Teacher Mentorship programs. Here are some of the key moments and takeaways.

Before you recruit next year's mentors, answer these 3 questions

Before you recruit next year's mentors, pause. These three questions will determine whether your program actually works or just checks boxes.

Mid-tear check-in: Supporting new teachers through the critical January moment

First-year teachers have made it through the fall, but January brings a different kind of challenge. This is the moment when retention is won or lost.

The Best of Us 2025: The year's most valuable leadership lessons

This year, The Best of Us podcast featured leaders who've built teacher pipelines that work, redesigned professional learning, and created systems that reduce burnout. Find the conversation that solves your biggest challenge.

What district leaders can be thankful for: the expertise already in your buildings

District leaders often focus on thanking teachers during the holiday season, but what if the greatest form of gratitude was actually leveraging their expertise? The most sustainable professional learning happens when we recognize and activate the knowledge already present in our buildings.

The multi-coach dilemma: When teachers have too many helpers

When teachers have multiple coaches pulling them in different directions, good intentions can create overwhelming chaos instead of meaningful growth. Discover three practical steps to coordinate your support systems so teachers get unified guidance that actually moves the needle—without adding more meetings to your calendar.

Personalized pathways: Meeting new teachers where they are

Professional learning leaders have a unique opportunity to move beyond one-size-fits-all orientation programs for new teachers. The key is recognizing that today's diverse teaching workforce—from career changers to recent graduates—requires differentiated onboarding that meets each educator where they are.

Beyond compliance: Building induction programs that actually retain teachers

As new teacher induction kicks off across districts this month, professional learning leaders face a critical question: Are we simply checking compliance boxes, or are we building programs that genuinely keep teachers in the profession?

Building and sustaining an impactful coaching program: Fairfax County’s growth from 24 to 100+ coaches

Building a lasting culture of instructional coaching doesn’t happen overnight. In Fairfax County Public Schools, it took years of intentional partnership, clear vision, and a belief that every educator deserves a partner in their growth.

Building out coaching cycles

We get it! Starting your first coaching cycle can be overwhelming. The most important thing to remember is to start small. Read about the importance of Coaching Cycles, their impact on transferring professional development into the classroom, and how to get started with replicable success.

Research to Practice: 3 principles for new-teacher mentoring programs

As education leaders, how do we retain our experienced teachers and leverage their support for new teachers? With the prospect of a “great resignation” — and the associated costs to replace them — well documented, that question has never been more important.

New Teacher Induction: Data for supporting early-career teachers

Taking charge of a classroom for the first time is no small task. So how to ensure new teacher induction programs are working across the district? Good data practices that keep administrators informed, coaches aligned, and educators clear on their next steps.

5 Tips for Creating an Effective Professional Learning Plan

Drafting a professional learning plan is a critical step for districts who want to set their teachers up for success. We've gathered resources for making sure your plan is coherent and actionable, including tips from two Missouri district leaders.