Sonoma Leadership Network

The Sonoma Leadership Network, now in its sixth year, brings together district teams to study and implement the research, best practices, and effective strategies used by high-performing, gap-closing schools. The goal of this initiative is systems change – creating urgency, intensity, coherence, and focus on student learning system-wide.

With meetings scheduled throughout the school year, the Network is an ongoing professional development opportunity for teams of district leaders, principals, and teacher-leaders. Each session is dedicated to the study and implementation of research-based strategies that improve student achievement and narrow the achievement gap. Participants will leave every session with tools, strategies, and protocols they can use immediately. Time for teams to create action plans and next steps for implementation is incorporated into each scheduled meeting.

2011-12 Network

Next Steps in the PLC Journey:
Better Learning Through Structured Teaching, Part 2

The Sonoma Leadership Network brings school/district teams together to deepen their understanding and implementation of the essential foundations and structures for sustaining highly effective professional learning communities (PLCs) and improving learning for all. Each session is dedicated to the study and implementation of research-based strategies that improve student achievement and narrow the achievement gap. Every session provides tools, strategies, and protocols that can be used immediately

This year, the Network will feature Douglas Fisher, Ph.D., and Nancy Frey, Ph.D., professors of language and literacy education at San Diego State University. Dr. Fisher and Dr. Frey will provide four interactive sessions focused on teaching practices that promote stronger learning skills by ensuring that instruction moves from modeling and guided practice to collaborative learning and independent tasks. Through the use of videos, lesson planning, and instructional rounds, participants will learn and practice strategic teaching to help meet critical challenges, including differentiating instruction and making effective use of class time.

Dr. Fisher and Dr. Frey have published numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design, as well as books such as Creating Literacy-Rich Schools for Adolescents, Improving Adolescent Literacy: Strategies at Work, and Teaching English Language Learners: A Differentiated Approach. They team-teach at a public school in San Diego.

Meeting Schedule
Meetings are scheduled for October 10, November 16, January 11, and March 16. Participating teams should also plan four additional in-district meetings to be held between sessions to gauge progress on action plans, problem-solve, and identify needs.

Registration
The attached Sonoma Leadership Network, 2011-12 flier (pdf) provides additional information and includes a registration form. Online registration is not available.