Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week

An item from a K-12 blended learning organization.

Thanking our teachers and partners, Eureka Math grant, RPPL Affiliate+ announcement

 

No images? Click here

Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week 2024

Talented and dedicated teachers work tirelessly to improve life and academic outcomes for students, school communities, and our country at large. Teachers — both the formal and informal — shape our lives and the lives of our children. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to our nation’s most valuable asset! We hope you’ll join us by recognizing a teacher in your life.

Read an excerpt from our Chief Innovation Officer Malika Ali, and explore our full team’s reflections in our blog:

“I’m grateful to work with teachers today because they nurture learning communities that invite students to discover, interrogate, envision, and build the world they will lead. They support students to unburden themselves from negative mindsets and limiting beliefs. They help students build skills and knowledge with joy and justice at the center. They model lifelong learning and leadership, balancing competing priorities in service of honoring the holistic wellbeing of their kids. They love their students out loud daily and support them to navigate inequities. And they fan the flames of their power as they stand up against injustice at every level of our system — from classrooms to campuses to the Capitol.”

Full Blog Post

Seeking Elementary School Partners: Eureka Math Professional Learning Grant

Throughline Learning has been awarded a research grant to support math professional learning with 15 elementary schools during SY25. Partner schools will receive PLCs, teacher coaching, or a data collection stipend, fully funded by the research study. This is an opportunity for schools to increase access to the rigorous Eureka curriculum and improve students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills. Learn more and help us spread the word! Interested? Complete this quick form to connect with our team.

Learn More

Interest Form

Throughline Learning Named RPPL Affiliate+ 

We are proud to be named as one of 14 new Affiliate+ organizations by the Research Partnership for Professional learning (RPPL). RPPL is a diverse and inclusive network of professional learning practitioners, researchers, educators, and funders working to advance evidence-based practices in the field. Through working groups, learning sessions, and research activities, Affiliate+ members contribute to RPPL’s learning agenda and disseminate best practices.

Learn More

From Other Organizations

Humanizing Pedagogy: New Paper from CommonGood

Innovators, reformers and systems leaders have poured resources and attention into reforming our education systems in order for that system to better meet the goals of modern society. Significant attention has been paid to the curriculum, and how high-quality materials can be a lever for improvement. With new models having been tested at scale and for some time, it is time for a critical consideration of the ideas about high-quality materials, particularly concerning what we believe to be best for students and teachers.

Download the Paper

Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  Throughline Learning https://throughlinelearning.org  PO Box 9207 Providence, RI 02940

Eureka Math Elementary School Partners Wanted

An item from a K-12 blended learning organization.

Exciting research study announcement, differentiation professional learning, and staff member spotlight on Danielle Lavoie

 

No images? Click here

Seeking Elementary School Partners: Eureka Math Professional Learning Grant

Throughline Learning has been awarded a research grant to support math professional learning with 15 elementary schools during SY25. Partner schools will receive PLCs, teacher coaching, or a data collection stipend, fully funded by the research study. This is an opportunity for schools to increase access to the rigorous Eureka math curriculum and improve students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills. Learn more and help us spread the word! Interested? Complete this quick form to connect with our team.

Learn More

Interest Form

We provide professional development around differentiation, feedback, and reflection

Partnership Example
Noticing significant and growing ranges of grade level ability within many classrooms, the leadership team at Mt. Hope High School in Bristol, RI named differentiation as a school-wide priority area in SY24.

Throughline Learning coaches set the stage by presenting strategies to increase student persistence and engagement, demonstrating the power of starting with low stakes tasks before aligning strategies with academic activities.

Coaches then introduced 4 ways to differentiate lessons — by content, process, product, or environment — and empowered teachers to decide which strategy to employ in their classrooms. Instructional rounds led by the school team support observation and feedback around these new practices.

Core Services
For school and district partners centering differentiated instruction as a core focus area, we offer:

• Teacher PD Workshops
• Leader Coaching & Instructional Rounds
• Strategy-Based PLCs: Data-driven Differentiation and Feedback & Reflection

Impact
“Today’s session was the most useful example of PD I’ve attended in 28+ years.” — SY24 PD Participant

“The session was very informative, with great resources. I will definitely be using the toolbox.” — SY24 PD Participant

Connect to Learn More

Get to Know Danielle Lavoie

About Danielle
Danielle Lavoie joined Throughline Learning in 2021 with 3+ years of consulting experience and 8 years as a middle school and high school classroom teacher. She has ​​guided several school and district partners through our whole school change process, and has supported a variety of program priorities and audiences including differentiated instruction in high school settings, special educators, multilingual learners, ELA, and paraprofessionals. She previously taught in urban schools in Rhode Island and Michigan. Danielle is deeply committed to equity work and founded multiple Gay Straight Alliance chapters during her tenure as a teacher.

Danielle’s Why 
As a teacher, I felt both a part of and disconnected from the larger system of education. My work with students felt transformative, but it didn’t feel seen at higher levels. I like this role as an Instructional Equity Partner because it allows me to liaise between teachers, administrators, and students in a way that supports co-generated solutions to complex problems. School communities working together to find equitable strategies that honor the unique insights of all members is the foundation for our work, and I love being able to facilitate that.

Feedback from the Field

“Danielle really intuited what we needed and where we were coming from today. She was patient, relatable, and engaging. The unconference structure was so cool! Thank you.”

“Danielle was an engaging facilitator who was practical and realistic in her approach to focus on student outcomes. Also, breakout groups were helpful to debrief and share our own experiences with challenging situations with students.”

“I have learned a lot from Danielle: she gives advice on how to have conversations with colleagues and work more efficiently with co-teachers along with giving specific advice on using thinking routines and culturally responsive strategies to encourage more student discourse in the math classroom.”

Throughline Learning’s program team is an exceptional group of educators, leaders, facilitators, coaches, and school improvement partners. We are proud of the impact that our skilled and caring team is having within schools and districts across the region.

Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  Throughline Learning https://throughlinelearning.org  PO Box 9207 Providence, RI 02940 Please feel free to contact us directly, visit our website, or connect with us on social media!

The Struggle is Real: Improving Student Access to HQIM

An item from a K-12 blended learning organization.

Learn about the impact of thinking routines in our Strategy-Based PLCs

 

No images? Click here

Our coaching helps educators implement strategies that strengthen student persistence and deeper thinking skills

Partnership Example
The focus of our SY23 work at Baychester Middle School in the Bronx was a set of math thinking and problem-solving routines. Our protocol separates the development of thinking skills from content skills. The process supports SEL, academic mindsets, and collaborative learning.

Students are provided with tools to name where they are struggling and the kind of help they require to get unstuck. Teachers provide specific feedback, resources, and scaffolded support. Offering students the space and language to share their thinking builds their confidence and success, but also provides them with routines that can be widely applied to other subjects and real-life situations.

Core Services
For schools and districts interested in curriculum-based professional learning that supports rigorous instruction, we provide:

• Strategy-Based PLCs: Thinking Routines
• Embedded 1:1 Teacher Coaching
• Teacher PD Workshops: CRSP Cognitive Development domain
• Student Experience Survey

Impact
“Creating routines around math conversations made it much easier to clarify misconceptions and praise strong problem solving skills.”  — Math Teacher, Baychester MS

100% of participating teachers agreed that PLC sessions were valuable.

Students in the high achievement category of the MAP math assessment increased 7 points; students in the low achievement category decreased 9 points.

Students reported a 30% increase on the survey question: “I can make myself smarter”

Connect to Learn More

Get to Know Michaelle Larracuente

About Michaelle
As the Director of Program & Implementation, Michaelle ensures the high-quality delivery of Throughline Learning services. She oversees professional learning and supports for our coaching team, and works closely with school and district partners to optimize and quantify implementation efforts. Michaelle brings over a decade of experience as a teacher and school leader to her role, in both district and charter schools. She is a 2020 District Teacher of the Year (Providence, RI) and has been trained in DEIB facilitation and in a variety of literacy and math curricula.

Michaelle’s Why 
Having experienced both private and public education as a youth, I am committed to supporting professionals across disciplines and districts ensuring empowering education experiences for all students K-12. People spend a significant amount of time across the course of their lives in educational institutions. The experiences they have shape their relationship with other people, the world, and themselves. We have a duty to center and prioritize our young people. As the oldest of six children, I never imagined my career would revolve around investing in the next generation of leaders and change makers. Working with children and educators is the greatest honor and joy of my life.

Feedback from the Field

“Thank you so much for an amazing 3 days of PD. I feel blessed to have worked with Michaelle and with our math teachers.” — SY24 Instructional Coach, Collaborative for Educational Services, MA

“At the end of the session, we asked questions about specific scenarios and the presenters shared some great feedback! Danielle and Michaelle were awesome…kind, professional, engaging, positive, and realistic.” — SY24 PD Series Participant, Bristol, RI

“After trying these strategies with support from Michaelle, the student behaviors I’m seeing are making my ‘teacher heart’ feel happy.” — SY24 Teacher Coaching Recipient, Chariho Alternative Learning Academy, RI

Throughline Learning’s program team is an exceptional group of educators, leaders, facilitators, coaches, and school improvement partners. We are proud of the impact that our skilled and caring team is having within schools and districts across the region.

From Other Organizations

GiveThx in the Golden State: Recruiting 30 CA Schools for Wellbeing Program Grant

Do you know a California secondary school looking for a research-validated solution to support youth mental health and SEL? California’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative is fully funding 30 California middle and high schools’ use of the research-proven GiveThx School Wellbeing Program during the 2024-2025 school year. GiveThx creates positive relationships and inclusive school communities where all students and educators feel safe, valued, and connected. This is an opportunity for each selected school to dramatically strengthen school climate, mental health, and belonging. Learn more and help spread the word!

Apply by May 31

Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  Throughline Learning https://throughlinelearning.org  PO Box 9207 Providence, RI 02940 Please feel free to contact us directly, visit our website, or connect with us on social media!

How can Throughline Learning support your needs?

An item from a K-12 blended learning organization.

Learn how our Program Team delivers multi-year services personalized to school goals

 

No images? Click here

Throughline Learning can help schools develop and implement multi-year, research-based plans aligned to their specific priorities

Partnership Example
Throughline Learning supported two elementary schools in Woonsocket, RI identified for Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI). Each school prioritized practices within our Culturally Responsive & Sustaining Pedagogy framework and selected professional learning delivery models tailored to their needs.

Over three years, Bernon Heights Elementary School focused on family engagement, differentiation, developing academic mindsets, critical thinking skills, and structuring writing instruction.

During the same time frame, Kevin K. Coleman Elementary School focused on family engagement, differentiated ELA instruction, a curriculum audit, student persistence, formative assessment, and structuring writing instruction.

Core Services
With schools identified for CSI, our model includes:

• Whole School PD Workshops
• Strategy-Based PLCs
• Embedded 1:1 Teacher Coaching
• Design Team Facilitation
• Leadership Coaching
• Student Experience Survey

Impact
After 3 years of support, both of our partner schools improved performance above their pre-pandemic levels and exited CSI.

82% of teachers reported changing their instruction based on Throughline Learning professional learning services.

Connect to Learn More

Get to Know Heidi Vazquez

About Heidi
Heidi Vazquez has been part of the Throughline Learning coaching team for six years — after spending 19 years teaching at the elementary classroom level. Heidi’s coaching experience is multifaceted and diverse. She has led projects focused on writing, student inquiry, special education, community building, project-based learning, and SEL in addition to focusing on whole school improvement initiatives. Heidi combines the strengths of a resourceful and collaborative problem solver, design thinker, and compassionate mentor.

Heidi’s Why 
I love this profession. Each day, I’m inspired by the determination of teachers and leaders. The work of promoting equity and joy in every classroom is more important than ever. I’m honored to help empower educators as they make small and significant changes to leverage more holistic data sources, try out research-based practices, and put humanity at the center of learning so that everyone can thrive.

Feedback from the Field

“Heidi is always willing to ‘model’ a lesson or help plan / give constructive feedback on other lessons.” — SY24 Teacher Coaching Recipient, Johnston, RI

“I found the Community Advisory Board session led by Heidi the most useful. We analyzed student shadow experiences, suspension rates, family surveys, student surveys, and more to get a complete understanding of what it is like to be a student at our school.” — SY23 Design Team Member, Woonsocket, RI

“Despite challenges with time and COVID, there have been so many successes for us and the school with how Heidi has helped us look at data and support teachers with instruction.” — SY22 Instructional Leader, Newport, RI

Throughline Learning’s program team is an exceptional group of educators, leaders, facilitators, coaches, and school improvement partners. We are proud of the impact that our skilled and caring team is having within schools and districts across the region.

From Other Organizations

AERDF Seeks a New Program Executive Director

AERDF, the first nonprofit Advanced Inclusive R&D organization focused on scientific discovery and invention for PreK-12 education, is looking for a Program Executive Director to lead its next initiative, with a budget of up to $25M.

Each candidate will start by defining an opportunity or problem space that is:

• Under-explored and with strong potential for major breakthroughs, unlocking significant new capabilities that would benefit PreK-12 teaching, learning and assessment systems.
• Critically important for Black and Latino learners and learners experiencing poverty, furthering their brilliance and transforming their education experiences.
• Ideally explored by a cross-sector community whose diverse expertise, perspectives and resources catalyze progress in a way no one could achieve on their own.

Start Your Application by 4/30

Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  Throughline Learning https://throughlinelearning.org  PO Box 9207 Providence, RI 02940

Catalyzing Community-Led Transformation

An item from a K-12 blended learning organization.

New Fellowship from GreatSchools, 401Gives reminder, & RISTE EdCamp

No images? Click here

Community-Led School Transformation Fellowship

In continued partnership with the National Parents Union and Throughline Learning, GreatSchools invites you to apply for the 2024-2025 Community-Led School Transformation Fellowship.

Who: This fellowship is for New England-based parents, community organizers, and advocates. To be eligible, applicants must be working with communities and families in the New England region.

What: This fellowship offers participants the opportunity to develop their knowledge in principles of equitable education, build a community of practice with other changemakers, and gain access to a host of tools and content to advocate for better high schools in their community. The fellowship will include deep dives into innovative educational practices, stories of successful high school transformation, and exercises on power-mapping your educational landscape. The fellowship and all materials are offered in English and in Spanish.

When: The fellowship will take place between October and November 2024.

Where: Fellowship sessions will be virtual on Zoom.

Throughline Learning is excited to help connect Great Schools with talented parent leaders and community organizers in our region. Chief Innovation Officer Malika Ali will be participating in the project as a co-trainer and helping to distribute finalized community toolkits.

There are a limited number of $2,000 stipends for fellows. To receive this stipend, you must apply between January 1, 2024 and July 16, 2024. Applicants who apply after this date are not guaranteed a stipend. Space is limited.

Apply

Join Us on Monday for 401Gives!

On Monday, 4/01, Throughline Learning will be participating in 401Gives, a statewide day of giving sponsored by United Way of Rhode Island and named in honor of Rhode Island’s area code (401). This is the 5th installment of an exciting event focused on elevating the visibility, hard work, and missions of nonprofits across the Ocean State.

Donations during 401Gives will help Throughline Learning sponsor scholarships for fellows in our Social Emotional Learning cohort; recruit talented adults from the community to support students; develop free and open source materials for teacher professional learning; and provide ongoing support for our mission, research, and best practices.

This will be Throughline Learning’s first time participating in 401Gives since our rebrand. On April 1-2, we are asking our network to consider supporting our team through a donation or by sharing our fundraising link.

Thank you!

Learn More

From Other Organizations

Register Today! RISTE EdCamp on April 27

RISTE will be hosting an educator EdCamp on April 27, 2024, from 8:30 to 1:30 at the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England (500 Greenwich Ave, Warwick). The $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt, lunch, fabulous professional learning, and 5 PLU hours!

Explore ideas, meet great educators from across the state, and learn new EdTech tools to enhance your classroom experience! Topics include: The Benefits, Strategies, and Ethics of AI;  Immersive Experiences…a New Landscape for Learning; Scholastic and Competitive Esports Workshop; Cybersecurity 101; Artificial Intelligence in Education, and other sessions of participant interest.

Register

Share    Tweet    Share    Forward  Throughline Learning https://throughlinelearning.org  PO Box 9207 Providence, RI 02940 Please feel free to contact us directly, visit our website, or connect with us on social media!