Brian Sepe believes everyone deserves a thought partner, especially teachers. When an instructional influencer becomes an effective thought partner, teacher voices are amplified, decision-making is empowered, and teacher agency skyrockets. Brian will lead participants in developing a strategy for making a positive difference all year long. From goal setting to reflection routines, conversational stems, feedback loops, and intentional mindsets, Brian will develop the skills and confidence instructional influencers need to become the kind of thought partner who will increase teacher efficacy, and uplift student success.

Primary Audience: Instructional influencers, principals, assistant principals, curriculum directors, department heads, teacher leaders

September 7, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Wawasee High School | Syracuse, IN

You’re the coach, now what? In this introduction to instructional coaching, you will develop the mindset and skills to empower adult learners. The focus is on practical and effective factors that will allow you to uplift teacher agency. No matter the goals of your school, we’ll help you get organized, prepared, and confident to work alongside of colleagues. You will have the opportunity to participate in live observations of a coach-in-action with guided reflections and personalized feedback.

The academy is led by Ruth Ayres, a long-time instructional coach, three-time author, and national speaker. 

Primary Audiences: New instructional coaches

You’ve likely heard that feedback is the breakfast of champions, a quote attributed to Ken Blanchard, but it seems that effective feedback is more nuanced than simply offering it. The 2023-2024 Instructional Influencers Academy is guided by five instructional coaches from across the country. We will dig deep into discovering ways to offer feedback to transform ho-hum, difficult, or tense professional conversations into joyful, meaningful, and transformative interactions.

Meet two times during the school year to stay sharp with your mindset and skills to inspire and empower adult learners. Participate in live observations of a coach-in-action with guided reflections and personalized feedback.

The academy is led by Ruth Ayres, a long-time instructional coach, three-time author, and national speaker. Special presentations by Stephanie Affinito, David Pittman, and Hannah Tills and Josie Stewart will help build our repertoire on meaningful, intentional, and practical ways to deliver feedback. 

Primary Audiences: Instructional Influencers, principals, assistant principals, curriculum directors

Experienced literacy coaches unzip their bags and totes to share what they carry into classrooms. We open up our coaching notebooks to show you the pages and lessons we can’t live without. We share what hasn’t worked int he past, and how our schedules and plans have evolved over time. You’ll finish this study group with sample calendars, templates, checklists, and insider tips for launching your coaching year with confidence and enthusiasm. This a self-paced study group with four videos by Ruth Ayres and many additional resources.
Primary Audience: Instructional coaches
Registration will open May 15, 2023.

All of the resources you need to lead a book study in your school are included in this virtual study group. Additional guided reflection resources are provided for those reading alone.

Primary Audience: Book club facilitators
Registration will open May 15, 2023.

Are you looking for a way to nurture conversations about reading between departments in your middle or high school? The Lead Learners recommends Why Do I Have to Read This? by Cris Tovani. This is a digital resource that includes a book club plan, information about facilitating a book club in your school, and resources to support reflective practice for those reading in a group or alone.

Primary Audience: Book club facilitators
Registration will open May 15, 2023.

Are you feeling frustrated by a commitment to small group instruction, but the data is not showing substantial growth in your readers? Join three national presenters as we dive into the nitty-gritty of small group instruction and responding to students’ needs. This workshop is designed for those who have a strong understanding of small group instruction and a commitment to regular and meaningful small group instruction. This workshop will help participants learn to tackle the unique needs of some students. 

September 19, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Location TBD
September 27, 2023 |9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Central Time) | Region 6 ESC

Spend the day with Ruth Metcalfe, a first grade teacher, and learn the specifics to making small group instruction gel. It takes more than a checklist, it is about noticing students needs, intentionally developing the next teaching points, and then offering feedback in ways that are accepted and applied by young students. See first-grade small group in action. 

October 23, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM |Mentone Elementary School | Mentone, IN

Did teaching writers used to be your superpower, but now it feels like you’ve lost your magic? Are you out of ideas for how to inspire students to write? Have you turned to canned resources in a desperate attempt to get students to write, but it still isn’t working? Teaching post-pandemic writers is a new game. Learn how to nourish writers by offering both choice and structure. Understand why writing is challenging for kids of hardship, and learn specific and practical ways to motivate students to write. 

April 30, 2024 (T) | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Location TBD

Are you exhausted trying to figure out how to bridge your core literacy program and Science of Reading information? You don’t have to figure it out alone! Join The Lead Learners for a day filled with the best aspects of professional learning designed to inspire and lead participants in determining the next steps for literacy instruction at their schools. 

June 8, 2023|9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Region 7 ESC

Our local workshops are led by area educators and include live student observations. When we see concepts in action with students, it is easier to envision how to use the same strategies in our own work. 

Writing is power, and too often students stop growing as writers in middle and high school. That stops today! Join five national presenters as we offer practical ways to ensure all students continue to grow as writers. The conversations will include lifting the level of grammar and conventions, structure, voice, and details in both narrative and non-narrative writing.

January 18, 2024 (Th) | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Location TBD

What happens if middle and high school students don’t develop a scholarly voice? How will they be taken seriously in the world? How will they be prepared for postsecondary communication? Too often students graduate without sharpening their scholarly writing skills, which puts them at a disadvantage in the world. Learn intentional and practical ways to support students in becoming sophisticated and standard communicators in any content-area. You don’t have to be an English teacher to help students build skills and confidence as writers…students need all of their teachers working together so they can become stronger communicators.

November 29, 2023 (W) | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Location TBD

Let’s face it: there are very few places to find authentic information for teaching middle school readers and writers. We’ve gathered presenters from across the United States who carry full-time contracts with schools. They show up day after day to engage their students as readers and writers. Some days it is brilliant; some days leave a bit to be desired. This is the reality of working with teen readers and writers.

You’re not going to find gimmicks, and you are definitely not going to get packets with empty promises for engaging students. Instead, you’ll find practical ideas for procedures and routines so that you can start strong as a middle school language arts teacher. We’ll help you think through how to use the ideas with your own students, and you’ll see a live demonstration.

Day 1: September 1, 2023 (F) | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM |Tippy Valley Middle School 

Day 2: October 4, 2023 (W) | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Tippy Valley Middle School