Our 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
Leading Schools Summit
Leading Schools Summit – a three (3) day summit for principals using a design thinking approach to help leaders solve unique problems of practice.
Our signature Leading Schools Summit experience engages school leaders in a multi-day event that brings principals and assistant principals together in a community of practice. Using a human-centered approach, leaders engage in a learning experience paired with tangible examples of innovation and reimagined professional development with tailored field trips, guest speakers, digital tools, and strategies for a renewed mindset.
It’s Three Days to … Energize, Imagine, Connect, Iterate, Move to Action
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
Utah Tech Leaders Cohort
Instructional coaches play an integral role in our schools. As a change agent, they help teachers shift their thinking and instructional practices. The Utah Education Network (UEN) recognizes coaches' vital role and is excited to announce the UT EdTech Leaders Network (UTTLN). UTTLN brings passionate and committed education leaders, including instructional coaches and instructional technologists from across the state, for a year-long learning opportunity to meet for five (5) sessions during the year.
Program Pillars
Leadership and Culture: To develop a culture based on trust and a growth mindset in which educators are willing to take risks to improve teaching and learning.
Effective Coaching and Advocacy: To support the needs of educators within the school building, participating coaches develop coaching mindsets and advocacy skills.
Content and Curriculum: To strengthen their understanding and knowledge of high-quality instruction and personalized competency-based learning (PCBL).
Change Management: The goal is to ensure that the participants develop strategies and skills to build and sustain the effective use of digital learning in their schools.
Empowering Teacher Leaders Project
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 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 three micro-credentials annually
Summer Professional Development Convenings for Principals and Teachers
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. During each session coaches examine their coaching practices and identify areas for growth.
LEL also works with Beginning Teacher Coordinators across this region to develop professional learning curricula and facilitator guides for use in supporting the onboarding and continuous learning of incoming residency teachers in all districts in the SEA region.
UT Edtech Endorsement For Leaders
Leading Edge Learning, in partnership with Utah Education Network, designed four courses that together comprise the Utah EdTech Endorsement for School Leaders. Leaders who successfully complete all four courses will earn the full Utah EdTech Endorsement.
Today, Utah School Leaders interested in earning the Utah EdTech Endorsement can enroll in the four different, six-week online courses, designed specifically for school leaders to support their growth toward the EdTech Endorsement.
Rural LIFE
Rural LIFE (Literacy Initiative Focused on Effectiveness) supported 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. As Leading EDge Learning, Nancy and Theresa continued their partnership with the Niswonger Foundation to support schools and coaches in the program and with AnLar to provide research and evaluation of the grant.
What do the participants say?
“Love the setup of this PD. The reflection piece and getting time to talk through ideas with others is very helpful.”
“This program constantly hits my needs right where they are most needed. Keep up the great work. What you facilitate is making a difference, which is desperately needed.
“Thank you! I cannot say that enough. I felt empowered, respected, and truly poured into these past few days. The speakers touched on topics that were realistic and relevant to me, and they did an AMAZING job balancing ALL learning styles. I also really loved the "out of the box" learning experiences the ETL team created at the summit. I have never felt so poured into and respected at a professional development...EVER in my 8 years of teaching. The ETL team did a great job in making me, and I am sure other teachers, feel empowered to return to our schools and make the needed change. I felt empowered to be a leader as "just a teacher" at my school. For that, thank you! This has been the BEST PD I have been part of!”
