Leading for Rigorous Learning Conference
March 14-15, 2024
Description of the Conference
You are invited to join school and system leaders from around the world to explore and deepen your practices in leading rigorous learning in your school and system. Based on the latest research and practices, this two day session offers an overview of Rigor Redefined, an approach that centers on fostering a generation of learners who are not only well-equipped to handle the academic challenges of school but also empowered to become independent, collaborative problem solvers in any real-world context.
This program is anchored by a set of key leadership practices that support leaders in implementing, broadening, and sustaining high impact teaching and learning practices across systems and schools. Sessions extend beyond personal leadership practices and provide tangible approaches to building systems to ensure effective teacher capacity building.
In addition, the session focuses on introducing a set of teaching and leading habits that have been carefully curated to provide leaders, teachers, and students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need to thrive in today’s complex and ever-changing educational landscape. From critical thinking to effective collaboration, from independent learning to adaptability, these habits serve as guiding lights, illuminating the path to success for both students and educators.
Who Should Attend?
Our theme for this year is “Developing Small Habits and Ensuring Impact on Teacher Practice and Student Learning”. Those that connect with this theme should join us. This conference is not just another event; it’s a unique opportunity and intimate experience for education leaders like you to come together from across the globe. Here’s what you can expect:
- Network with Visionaries: Connect with forward-thinking education leaders, creating a global community of innovators dedicated to improving education.
- Explore Innovative and Impactful Methodologies: Dive into the latest research and methodologies that are shaping the future of education, equipping you with powerful tools to lead your institution into a new era of learning.
- Engage in School Tours: Gain exclusive insights into the practices and philosophies that have made Napa New Technology High School a beacon of innovation in education.
- Identify Tangible Leadership Practices: Learn from experts and fellow attendees, and discover practical strategies for advancing rigorous teaching and learning within your school and across your districts and systems.
Agenda
March 14, 2024
| 8:45-9:00 am | Coffee & Mingle |
| 9:00-9:30 am | Principal Welcome and Introductions |
| 9:30-10:30 am | Session 1: Decoding Rigor: Unlocking Surface, Deep, and Transfer Learning – The following session takes participants through the research behind the SOLO taxonomy, the powerful research on what substantially enhances student learning, and debunking and showing a path forward regarding myths associated with rigor that prevent high quality educator practice and impact for learners. |
| 10:30-11:30 am | Tour/Debrief |
| 11:30-12:30 pm | Session 2: Mastering Small Habits, Big Impact – The following session focuses on 10 powerful habits that enable students to develop complex thinking as well as cultivate the habits for taking responsibility over their own learning. In addition, the session focuses on the small and doable routines that teachers can implement to ensure that such practices thrive in every classroom. |
| 12:30-1:15 pm | Lunch |
| 1:30-2:30 pm | Session 3: Leading the Way Part 1: From Pockets of Excellence to Communities of Practice – The following session focuses on specific leadership systems and structures that create collective teacher efficacy to ensure development, implementation, and inspection of the 10 Rigor Redefined habits. |
| 2:30-3:15 pm | Small Group Planning Sessions/Q&A |
March 15, 2024
| 8:45am-9:00 am | Coffee & Mingle |
| 8:50am-10:30 am | Session 4: Leading the Way Part 2: Small Acts to Lead from the Middle – This session focuses on the specific personal leadership habits that catalyze teacher professional learning to flourish. |
| 10:30-11:30 am | Session 5: Community Engagement: Sharing Powerful Steps for Future Impact – This session provides time and space for leaders to assess their current realities, determine next steps, and give and receive feedback from professionals that have similar aspirations and a diverse wealth of experience and knowledge. |
| 11:30-12:00 pm | Closing |
Cost and Registration
In registering for the conference each participant will receive a copy of Dr. McDowell’s latest book Navigating Leadership Drift as well as a set of digital resources for supporting teachers in this work. In addition, the registration fees include coffee and light breakfast each morning and lunch (on the first day). We are excited to have you as a participant and attend our day and a half session with Dr. Michael McDowell here on our campus in Napa California. The cost is $375 per participant. We encourage you to bring a team to learn and reflect together in your journey.
