MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT – RHONDA JINDRA, ESU #1
The Learning Forward Nebraska Affiliate has continued to expand in the areas of membership, partnerships with other organizations, and activities serving the Affiliate members.
The two goals, Communication & Connection and Collaborative Partnerships, provide purpose and direction for the work of the Affiliate.
Communication & Connection: Under the direction of Eileen Barks (ESU #2) and Jeff McQuistan (ESU #17), this committee began by creating a Communication Plan to guide their work. Many actions were implemented including the maintenance of a topnotch, professional website (https://learningforwardnebraska.org), a bimonthly newsletter that is now linked to the website, promotional materials distributed during conference events such as NETA, AQuESTT, and NDE Administrators’ Days, and the hosting of a January Twitter Chat. This committee also communicated with members by emailing a “Welcome Letter” immediately upon receipt of new membership.
Collaborative Partnerships: Scott Blum (Waverly), Julee Sauer (ESU #3) and Freida Lange (NDE) provided leadership for this goal area. Many innovative processes were implemented including the following:
- Expanded the Executive Leadership Program (ELP) as described in the Learning Forward Foundation Affiliate Grant Award received during 2015-16. This expansion provided opportunities for administrators, staff, ESU and Curriculum personnel, etc. to experience job-embedded professional learning. This impressive program provided structure for innovative professional learning and results for students.
- Coordinated and hosted the first Professional Learning Summit. The goal of the Summit, to affirm the shared values for teaching, learning and leadership across the state, provided an avenue for visioning and discussion. This partnership will continue in 2017-18.
- Supported the work of the NDE Continuous Improvement workshops and the April AQuESTT Conference. In addition, Fred Brown of Learning Forward, provided a Pre-Conference and the Opening Keynote during Day 1 of the AQuESTT Conference.
To further explore the work of the committees, please review Committee Reports on the Annual Report.
On behalf of the Board, I’d like to thank the membership for their support and service throughout 2016-17. I would also like to extend my appreciation to each of you while serving as the LFN Chair for 2015-16 and 2016-17. It is with great honor that I now welcome Scott Blum as our LFN Chair. Congratulations, Scott!
Here’s to an exciting year ahead!
Respectfully,
Rhonda Jindra, Learning Forward Nebraska President