Professional Learning Opportunities Enrich SWU Educators

KEENE, TEX. – Ongoing professional learning remains a priority for Southwestern Union educators, both in leadership and in classrooms. Two recent opportunities included the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Convention and the union’s annual Superintendents’ Retreat.

ASCD Convention

ASCD, which recently merged with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), is a global organization focused on teaching and learning strategies. Each year, the Southwestern Union Office of Education sends educators from each of its five conferences to the annual ASCD convention.

This past June, four teachers and principals, along with several conference superintendents and union personnel, attended the convention in San Antonio. The theme, “Spark Joyful Learning,” highlighted the blending of pedagogy and technology. A key topic in several sessions was the growing impact of artificial intelligence on education.

Superintendents’ Retreat

In addition to classroom-focused opportunities, the union hosts an annual superintendents’ retreat, rotating locations among the five conferences. The superintendent of the host conference plays a key role in planning the activities.

The retreat serves as a time to reflect, collaborate and grow professionally. Superintendents share strategies, coordinate plans and strengthen cooperation. Leisure activities add creative outlets and provide relaxation.

This July, the Texas Conference hosted the retreat at the Hill Country Herb Garden in Fredericksburg, Tex. Each day began with worship, featuring speakers Smith Castillo, Kisha Norris and Renee Whiting.

Professional learning included an interactive session with bestselling author and speaker Lainie Rowell on cultivating a coaching mindset for continuous improvement. The topic aligned with the union’s emphasis on Continuous School Improvement (CSI) as part of its Education by Design (EbD) Framework.

The retreat also introduced strategies for balancing coaching and evaluation, a timely focus as the union embraces a coaching model for sustainable growth. Whiting and the Texas Conference applied these principles to union schools through the Danielson Framework, designed to support scaffolded growth plans, clear expectations, differentiated feedback and progress tracking.

Leisure time included exploring Fredericksburg and the Hill Country, enjoying culinary experiences, and even taking a class on preparing healthy smoothies with versatile fruit and vegetable combinations.

The Southwestern Union Office of Education remains committed to supporting professional learning that equips educators to prepare students for life today and for eternity.

By Carol Campbell, Ph.D.
Vice President for Education