NNLS SUBJECT AREA COHORTS: PEDAGOGY IN ACTION

2023-2024 COHORT SUBJECT AREAS

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Overview

Teachers are key to implementing curricula effectively. Upskilling competencies to enable a shift from “curriculum redesign” to “lesson design and implementation” supports educators in building learning environments that help all students realize their potential.

Learn forward from the NESA field with this new blended professional learning program that deepens relationships and fosters competencies within a standards-based framework, with the goal of improving instructional coherence.

Cohorts will be led by subject area specialists with a focus on "look fors" in the classroom (i.e., discipline-based competencies) and relevant pedagogies. The program will equip participants with frameworks and tools to participate in a modified lesson study as a means to learn, grow, and make an impact on student learning.

Participants will earn a NESA Certificate of Completion.

WHAT IS INSTRUCTIONAL COHERENCE?

Instructional coherence means ensuring that every element of instruction — from core instruction to interventions to extended time — works together to advance grade-level student learning. At the most basic level, a coherent instructional system builds academic and socio-emotional supports that prepare the way for, and extend, grade-level learning. This means that students engage in instructional experiences that have a link and relationship with each other and with core grade-level instruction.

Building Instructional Coherence will be a deep dive into a core instructional model and the anatomy of a lesson. It will provide opportunity to examine research-based teaching practices, key components of a well-designed lesson, and assessment strategies. It will provide the consistent language, strategies, and focus required for coherency in all content areas.

The Instructional Coherence Framework.

OUTCOMES

• Acquire skills to build for instructional coherence using Universal Design for Learning (UDL)-based lesson design
• Learn how to weave in social-emotional learning components (SEL) to strengthen core instruction
• Examine the components of core instruction using Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) as the foundation

PROCESS

Join educators from across the NESA region, first exploring key concepts and frameworks online, followed by three days together in person at the 2024 Educators Training Institute (ETI24) in Muscat, Oman. Conclude with online reflection and sharing where you and all cohort members will discuss lesson design, and share practical experience from the field.

The program is structured as follows:

• Program Launch (November): This indispensable online introductory session led by Erma Anderson provides an overview of instructional coherence, with a focus on core instruction. Discover key concepts, overarching frameworks (UDL, MTSS, SEL) and scaffolds that will be utilized throughout the program.
• Subject Area Cohort Session (December): Meet your disciplinary specialist and fellow subject area peers. Receive guidance on pedagogies aligned with your learning outcomes, and together discuss “look fors” in the classroom as you build instructional designs and coherence frameworks into your lesson planning.
• Lesson Study (Modified) at ETI24 (January): The in-person experience begins with a day-long session led by Erma Anderson, sharing and demonstrating a protocol for modified lesson study in order to prepare you for in-school implementation.
• 2-Day Institute at ETI24 (January): Attend an in-person workshop together with your subject area cohort on the frameworks and effective tools and tactics. Your disciplinary specialist will guide you through the process of planning a lesson in your subject area using UDL principles to address learner variability in the classroom. You will gain insights into planning core instruction (which is differentiated instruction) and learn how to identify “look fors” in learning that serve as markers of effective core instruction.
• In-School Practice (February): After your training, you will have two weeks to implement a lesson for core instruction using UDL. With your peers, you will conduct a modified lesson study focusing on one of the “look fors” in effective core instruction.
• Subject Area Cohort Session (February): The February session will allow all participants to reflect on their experience of practice. Participants will share stories related to the modified lesson study (i.e., successes as well as areas for improvement).
• Pulling It All Together (March): The program conclusion led by Erma Anderson is designed to allow participants to synthesize and make connections between the disciplines. Rejoin the full group to reflect and share discoveries, learning and ideas, discuss takeaways and transfer goals, and project next steps and future possibilities.

SCHEDULE

AUDIENCE

Teachers in the disciplines.

SUBJECT AREA SPECIALISTS

SUPPORTED BY

Registration Fees

• NESA Members & Affiliates: US$1,010 per person
• Non-Members*: US$1,350 per person

*Non-Member participation is by application only. Prior to registering, please apply by sending a letter of interest to nesa@nesacenter.org. Applications will be considered in order of receipt, based on availability.

Fees quoted are per person, and include three days in person at the NESA 2024 Educators Training Institute, as well as access to all four online sessions and recordings.

Please review the Cancellation Notice before registering.

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