2025-26 PD Catalog 2025-26 Professional Development Offerings
25/26 Professional Development Catalog
All Professional Development Offerings are Remote A minimum of 10 participants is required for each session to run. Registration will close two weeks prior to session offering with the exception of MAP Growth Basics for New Teachers and the Book Study.
Academics – Instructional Support Teachers
NWEA- Foundations Online
Descriptor: MAP Growth Foundations Online provides asynchronous learning pathways based on your role. Whether you’re proctoring the assessment, teaching using the data, or leading using the MAP Growth reporting suite—Foundations Online meets your needs on your schedule. LSSU has purchased the Foundations Online for each public school academy allowing proctors, teachers, and leaders to have access to pertinent training regarding NWEA depending on their specific role.
Format: NWEA website (you will have access using your NWEA login credentials)
Audience: Proctors, teachers, and leaders
SCECHs: N/A
Date/Time: Self-paced
NWEA- MAP Growth Basics for New Teachers
Descriptor: Designed for new teachers.This session explores what makes MAP Growth unique and meaningful and the key features that support teachers. Steps needed to test your class with MAP Growth are covered, including the proctoring of the assessment.
SCECHs: 2
Date: September 4, 2025
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. (Proctoring 4:00 – 5:00; Growth Basics 5:00 – 6:00)
Deadline to Register: N/A – please register as soon as possible
NWEA- MAP Growth Applying Reports for Teachers
Descriptor: This session explains how to make student-centered decisions that are informed using MAP Growth data. Participants will learn to access, interpret, and apply MAP Growth data. Additionally, utilizing data to inform ongoing work and goal setting will be discussed.
SCECHs: 2
Date: October 21, 2025
Time: 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Deadline to Register: October 7, 2025
NWEA- Instructional Planning and Strategies: Triangulating Data
Descriptor: Designed for teachers and instructional staff, this session explores how to effectively leverage multiple sources of student learning evidence—including MAP data—to inform instructional planning. Participants will examine key strategies for triangulating data to identify trends, personalize instruction, and determine practical next steps that empower student learning.
SCECHs: 2
Date: February 10, 2026
Time: 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Deadline to Register: January 27, 2026
NWEA- Instructional Planning and Strategies: Responsive Planning
Descriptor: Designed for teachers seeking to use MAP Growth data and other assessment results to identify trends in student needs. Participants will learn the responsive planning process, consider pacing, differentiation, scaffolding, and available resources.
SCECHs: 2
Date: February 26, 2026
Time: 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Deadline to Register: February 12, 2026
Academics – Instructional Support School Leaders
Marzano’s New Art & Science of Teaching: Supporting Novice Teachers
Descriptor: This session empowers school leaders with actionable strategies to support early-career teachers through Marzano’s The New Art & Science of Teaching framework. Participants will explore research-based practices for observation, coaching, and feedback—focusing on growth and development rather than evaluation. The training emphasizes the vital role of teacher support in overall school success and provides practical tools such as self-reflection protocols, structured feedback cycles, and instructional rounds.
SCECHs: 12
Date(s):October 1st, November 5th, December 3rd
Time: 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Deadline to Register: September 24, 2025
NWEA- MAP Growth Applying Reports for Leaders
Descriptor: Participants will learn how to use MAP Growth data to identify school or grade-level trends in achievement data. This session discusses how to monitor testing and completion rates through operational reports to identify next steps for implementation.
SCECHs: 2
Date: October 14, 2026, 4-6 p.m.
Time: 4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Deadline to Register: September 30, 2025
NWEA/Center for Model Schools- Targeted Coaching
Descriptor: This coaching is designed for school leaders at academies demonstrating the greatest need for academic growth. Facilitators from the Center for Model Schools will work with leaders, lead teachers, and instructional staff to apply data-driven strategies, translate insights into action, and plan next steps using MAP and other student data.
SCECHs: 5
Date/Time: TBD
Registration: LSSU will contact eligible academies. The Center for Model Schools will directly contact the academy leader and schedule individualized coaching hours.
Special Education – School Leaders
Navigating Special Education: A Strategic Roundtable for School Leaders
Descriptor: This professional learning opportunity is designed to support school leaders in navigating special education through a lens of strategy and collaboration—not compliance. Sessions will include a roundtable format where school administrators can share experiences and insights with one another, guided by a special education consultant. Topics will focus on key areas such as discipline, IDEA, and Child Find, with an emphasis on building awareness and strengthening implementation practices. All materials will be shared with participants for continued reference and application.
SCECHs: TBD
Date(s): Registered participants will be contacted to determine cadence and scheduling preferences.
Deadline to Register: October 1, 2025
Crisis Response – School Leaders
I Love U Guys: Crisis Is Not a Choice, Response Is
Descriptor: The “I Love U Guys” Foundation training equips school leaders with practical tools, protocols, and resources to effectively respond to school-based crises. Led by trainers with firsthand experience in emergency situations, the sessions blend compelling real-life stories with clear, actionable strategies. Participants will learn standardized, easy-to-implement protocols that promote a common language for crisis response and preparedness. This training supports leaders in achieving school safety goals through clarity, consistency, and actionable planning.
SCECHs: 6
Date: February 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Deadline to Register: February 3, 2026
Additional Offerings – School Leaders
Leadership Lunch & Learn Series: Varied Topics
Descriptor: As an extension of monthly leadership meetings, charter school administrators are invited to participate in a series of informal Lunch & Learn sessions. These sessions provide an additional opportunity for school leaders to engage with timely, relevant topics that support their professional growth and day-to-day leadership. Each session will feature a peer facilitator and focus on a specific area of interest. Held immediately following the scheduled leadership meetings, these sessions are designed to be both engaging and practical, offering valuable insights in a relaxed, discussion-based format.
Format: Remote
Audience: School Leaders
Presenter/Facilitator:
November – Shanina Draughn
April – Angie Gilbert
SCECHs: 3
Date(s): November 19th, April 15th
Time: 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. (immediately following monthly leadership)
Registration: Not Required
LSSU Charter Schools Book Study – Topic TBD
LSSU’s Charter School Office invites teachers, school leaders, support staff, and board members from LSSU-authorized academies to participate in a collaborative book study. Facilitated by Lynn Methner, Supervising Field Officer for Northern Michigan, this professional learning opportunity will focus on themes that promote professional growth and a shared culture of learning. While the book title and topic are still being finalized, participants can expect engaging discussions, reflective dialogue, and actionable takeaways for school-based application.
Format: Remote
Audience: School Leaders, Teachers, Support Staff, Board Members
Presenter/Facilitator: Lynn Methner
SCECHs: 18
Date(s): Weekly on Monday, Jan 19th, Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9, Feb 16, Feb 23
Time: 4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Registration Deadline: Participants may register up to the start date. Books will be provided for participants registered by December 19, 2025