Core Projects

Our projects range across a wide variety of partnerships and models. Some of our core projects include:

Appalachian State University: Empowering Teacher Learning- Developing Micro-Credentials to Support Teacher Directed Learning
Juntos – Developing Sustainability Supports for Statewide Programming
New Hanover County Schools- Technology Plan Development
Rural LIFE Grant (Northeast Tennessee) – Regional Literacy Coaching and Planning Support Network
Rural Teacher Leader Network (RTLN) – Cohort of Teacher Leaders from Across North Carolina
Southeastern Education Alliance (North Carolina) – Multi-district Coaching Cohort
Utah Education Network – Custom Learning For Varying Leadership Roles in Supporting High Quality Teaching and Learning

Learn a bit more about them below.

Empowering Teacher Learning (ETL)

In partnership with Appalachian State University, Leading EDge Learning Supports the Empowering Teacher Learning Grant Planning and Implementation. Working closely with the grant team Leading EDge developed new and supported the curation of micro-credentials that support teacher directed learning in partner schools and districts in alignment with the NC Educator Effectiveness System (NCEES) standards. This grant empowers teachers in schools across Western North Carolina through:

Navigators who provide coaching support for teachers to:
- Self-assess their learning needs
- Identify aligned micro-credentials
- Identify learning pathways to develop mastery of competencies
- Demonstrate competency through 3 microcredentials annually
Summer Professional Development Convenings for Principals and Teachers

Utah Education Network (UEN)

Through a partnership with the Utah Education Network, Leading EDge has provided a multi-tier approach to supporting school and EdTech leaders with three programs. These programs include:

Leading Schools Summit – a 3 day summit for principals using a design thinking approach to help leaders solve unique problems of practice.
EdTech Endorsement- series of online modules working towards the UT Edtech endorsement for school leaders.
UT Tech Leaders Network – a community of practice for technology coaches and digital learning leaders from across the state.

Watch a UEN PDTV Episode to learn a bit more about the Summit; Leading Schools – John Hughes of Cottonwood Elementary

Watch the video to hear a bit about the work of the RTLN teacher leaders.

Rural Teacher Leader Network (RTLN)

In partnership with the Public School Forum of North Carolina and Appalachian State University. Leading EDge Learning developed and facilitated the Rural Teacher Leader Network with cohorts in both Eastern and Western North Carolina. These regional networks of approximately 40 teacher leaders in each region, consisted of 5 face to face sessions with virtual reconnect sessions strategically placed between in person events. Teacher Leaders engaged in learning across 18 months with a focus on the follow topics:

Teacher Leadership
Equity
Policy
Trauma Informed Instruction
Global Learning

Rural LIFE

Rural LIFE (Literacy Initiative Focused on Effectiveness) is a network of schools across Northeast Tennessee committed to improving literacy instruction through personalized learning. This work began while Nancy and Theresa were at The Friday Institute of Educational Innovation. Now as Leading EDge learning, Nancy and Theresa continue the partnership with the Niswonger Foundation to provide support for schools and coaches in the program and with AnLar to provide research and evaluation of the grant.

The video to the right provides an overview of the Rural LIFE grant professional learning support provided to school and district leaders, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders..
Review the Final Report from the Rural LIFE Grant – accessed from the Google Site Below

Take a deeper dive by exploring the 5 Years of Rural LIFE Website

Watch the video to hear a bit about the Rural LIFE project.

Southeastern Education Alliance (SEA)

The SEA Instructional Coaches Leadership Cohort brings together coaches from across 15 districts in Southeastern North Carolina. Across the year the cohort expands their leadership and advocacy skills while growing as a network community.