Professional Learning Series

Explore strategies that bridge classroom learning with real-world experiences. Discover how work-based learning can reshape education, preparing students for success in high-demand career fields. During the session, examples will be shared, gleaned through conversations with various agencies nationwide as part of the ESC’s involvement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Career Z Challenge. Additionally, specific examples of Ohio programs, such as internships, pre-apprenticeships, and teacher externships, will be shared.

Register: January 16

Collaboration, data review, assessment sharing, student services ~ all of these elements are critical for student success...but WHEN can they happen?  Carrie Sanchez revisits some of the critical considerations for Master Schedule creation in this very popular session.  Successful Master Schedules begin with the mindset of the leader.  Only the school leader can truly understand the unique nuances of the entire school - and with that comes powerful leadership opportunities!  This session correlates to the Ohio Improvement Process (OIP) by helping school leaders Identify critical needs, Plan for implementation (it is so much more complex than just publishing a schedule!) and Implement and Monitor in order to fully determine the success or struggles within your school.  Don't get stuck in "this is how we have always done it" and open your thinking to new alternatives.  Innovation and resourcefulness have never been more necessary or more important.  It IS possible to design school operations that will invigorate staff and engage students.

Register: January 17

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the educational landscape, offering innovative opportunities to enhance the inclusion of all learners. Explore the transformative potential of AI tools in creating more effective and available learning environments. Gain insights into effective strategies that support the integration of AI, such as personalized learning pathways, adaptive assessments, and data-driven instructional planning. Additionally, discover essential frameworks that foster the purposeful use of AI, including Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), ensuring that AI applications are thoughtfully aligned with principles of inclusivity. Leave equipped with actionable approaches to harness AI for meeting diverse learner needs, promoting student engagement, and driving academic success for all.

Register: February 06

It is one thing to care for your people, but who cares for the leaders? Mere survival should not be indicative of success. In this session, school leaders will learn how to preserve their own passion, as well as their own well-being. Longevity is more than self-care—it is rooted in a deep understanding and practice of disciplined behaviors that support. Join this community of support, learn from each other, and leave prepared to tackle the challenges that await.

Register: February 12

Marlington Local administrative team under the direction of Superintendent Dan Swisher and Curriculum Director Renee Kaley. Hear how Marlington Local Schools is using OLAC’s evaluation crosswalks with their district and building leadership teams to guide the evaluation process and professional discussions with principals and teachers. Learn tips and strategies for how to use this resource to foster consistent, focused conversations around instructional practices, leadership, and professional growth. The team will also share how providing a clear framework has helped to ensure that feedback is aligned across all levels of the district and how promoting transparency and coherence have been instrumental in the evaluation process.

Register: February 21

Explore how purposeful discourse can strengthen literacy instruction and how leadership makes a difference and learn how to leverage classroom discussions to support the strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope for a more cohesive approach to literacy implementation. Participants will have the opportunity to consider and collaborate on how these components could impact a learning environment. 

Register: March 05

This webinar provides participants with a foundational understanding of language development in children from birth to age five. Grounded in the science of reading, the session explores key milestones in early literacy and emphasizes the importance of oral language for future reading success. Participants will discuss optimal practices that support language growth, including rich conversations, dialogic reading, and playful literacy activities. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of language development and its impact on lifelong learning in young children.

Register: March 19

Paraeducators are vital in early childhood settings, supporting children with developmental disabilities and complex needs, yet they often lack sufficient training. This session introduces participants to the Ohio Partnership for Excellence in Paraprofessional Preparation (OPEPP) and highlights strategies for onboarding and professional development to help paraeducators address social-emotional development, behavior management, and interventions in literacy, sensory regulation, communication, and physical positioning. It also emphasizes equipping educators to coach and collaborate with paraeducators, empowering them to excel as key members of early childhood multidisciplinary teams.

Register: April 04

From the beginning, the Ohio Leadership Advisory Council’s goal has been to provide educators – no matter their role – with the structures and resources they need to develop shared and effective leadership at every level. OLAC is proud to offer free resources to support your personal or team’s professional learning. By becoming a certified OLAC facilitator, you will be able to share these resources with others and demonstrate how to integrate them into their leadership and instructional practices. Become familiar with and gain working knowledge of:

• The OLAC website, including new features and enhanced functionality
• How to support superintendents, principals, and teachers in developing a professional growth plan
• How to use module, webinar, podcast, and video content to enhance the effectiveness of district and building leadership teams and teacher-based teams (DLTs, BLTs, TBTs)
• Ohio Evaluation Crosswalks for superintendents, principals, and teachers
• NEW assessments tools for DLTs and BLTs
• Credit options

Register: May 09