Tennessee Principal Professional Learning Series
The Tennessee Department of Education and the University of Tennessee’s Center for Educational
Leadership are partnering to provide virtual professional learning opportunities to principals to support them in addressing the immediate challenges facing schools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic during these tumultuous and uncertain times. These sessions will be completely free, optional, and eligible for TASL-credit.
Session Topics, Schedule & Recordings
Academic Year Sessions:
Session 1 (Week of May 4) - Effective Digital Learning Strategies
Schools and educators across Tennessee have been thrust into the realm of digital teaching and learning.
Some are doing it exceedingly well, while others are struggling to facilitate student learning in our new
reality. Issues of digital equity and access are contributing to the challenges. This seminar will explore
effective practices in on-line and remote instruction to promote student learning and success.
Session 1 Video Recording—Effective Digital Learning Strategies
All session recordings and materials provided courtesy of University of Tennessee—Knoxville’s Center for Educational Leadership and the American Institutes for Research..
Session 1 Resources
Session 1 Remote Learning Action Planning Guide and Playlist
Session 1 TASL and Feedback Surveys
Upon completion of the video recording and resources above, please complete the survey below for your CORE region:
Mid Cumberland and South Central CORE—Session 1 TASL and Feedback Survey
Northwest and Southwest-Memphis CORE—Session 1 TASL and Feedback Survey
First TN and East TN CORE—Session 1 TASL and Feedback Survey
Southeast and Upper Cumberland CORE—Session 1 TASL and Feedback Survey
Session 2 (Week of May 11) - Student Social Emotional Support & Wellness
Social distancing can create stress and anxiety for children and young adults. Disruption of routine, lack of
connection to teachers and peers, and in some cases dysfunction and distraction in the home can
substantially impact not only academics, but also student wellness and emotional health as well. This
professional learning session will consider challenges around mental health and wellness in the Coronavirus
era, as well as strategies and promising practices to provide social and emotional support for students.
Session 2—Student Social Emotional Support & Wellness Video Recording
All session recordings and materials provided courtesy of University of Tennessee—Knoxville’s Center for Educational Leadership and the American Institutes for Research.
Session 2 Resources
PPLS Module 2 AIR Supporting Student Resilience Well-Being Self-Assessment Planning Tools
PPLS Module 2 AIR Presentation on Student Well-Being
Session 2 TASL and Feedback Surveys
Upon completion of the video recording and resources above, please complete the survey below for your CORE region if you intend to earn TASL Credit:
Mid-Cumberland and South Central CORE Regions- Module 2 Survey
Northwest and Southwest-Memphis CORE Regions-Module 2 Survey
First TN and EAST TN CORE Regions-Module 2 Survey
Southeast and Upper Cumberland CORE Regions—Module 2 Survey
Session 3 (Week of May 18) - Leading Remotely: Leveraging Strengths and Setting Boundaries
School principals are frontline educational leaders in this crisis. They have stepped up in remarkable and
even heroic ways to address student, family, staff and community needs. But principals are also facing
unprecedented challenges in their leadership during these turbulent times. Principals are managing a farflung staff, coordinating the largest on-line learning effort in history, balancing myriad interests, and facing
intense scrutiny of each decision, all while working remotely, battling professional isolation, and meeting the
needs of their own household and family. This module will explore strategies, systems, and protocols that will
assist principals in balancing their many priorities, while leveraging their strengths, exercising self-care, and
setting boundaries to make their overwhelming job more manageable at this overwhelming moment.
Session 3 Video Recording- Leading Remotely: Levergaing Strengths and Setting Boundaries
All session recordings and materials provided courtesy of University of Tennessee—Knoxville’s Center for Educational Leadership and Gallup, Inc.
Session 3 Resources:
PPLS Module 3 PDF: Leveraging Our Strengths
PPLS Module 3 Strategies for Remote Working
PPLS Module 3 Remember the Needs of Following During COVID-19
Session 3 TASL Feedback and Surveys:
Upon completion of the video recording and resources above, please complete the survey below for your CORE region if you intend to earn TASL Credit:
Mid Cumberland and South Central CORE Regions Module 3 Survey
Northwest and Southwest-Memphis CORE Regions Module 3 Survey
First TN and East TN CORE Regions Module 3 Survey
Southeast and Upper Cumberland CORE Regions Module 3 Survey
Summer Sessions:
Session 4 (Week of June 8) – Future Planning I: How Do We Know What Our Students Have Learned?
Summative assessments have been suspended across the state of Tennessee, leaving a significant gap in
student learning data at exactly the moment when such data is needed most to inform differentiation,
intervention, and remediation. This session will explore resources, tools, and strategies to assess and
understand where students are in their learning, with particular emphasis on formative and adaptive
assessments that may provide critical information for educators to structure personalized learning
experiences for all students to excel.
Session 4 Video Recording: Future Planning I: How Do We Know What Our Students Have Learned?
All session recordings and materials provided courtesy of University of Tennessee—Knoxville’s Center for Educational Leadership, Instruction Partners, AIR, and the Learning Accelerator.
Session 4 Resources:
PDF: PPLS Module 4 Assessment Presentation Slides
PDF: TN Department of Education Innovative Assessment Supports
LINK: Instruction Partners’ COVID-19 School Resource Hub
Session 4 TASL Feedback and Surveys:
Upon completion of the video recording and resources above, please complete the survey below for your CORE region if you intend to earn TASL Credit:
Mid-Cumberland and South Central CORE Module 4 Survey
Northwest and Southwest-Memphis CORE Module 4 Survey
First TN and East TN CORE Module 4 Survey
Southeast and Upper Cumberland 4 Survey
Session 5 (Week of June 15) – Future Planning II: Differentiation, Personalization & Intervention
By the time school resumes in the fall, most Tennessee students will have been away from a traditional
structured learning environment for about six months. Some students will have continued their academic
pursuits, whether through formal or informal educational opportunities. Still other students, due to a variety
of logistical, technological, family, health, and/or equity issues will have engaged in very little learning. This
seminar will examine the possibilities and necessities of restructuring school to personalize and differentiate
instruction for students who may have had very different quarantine experiences.
Session 5 Video Recording : Future Planning II: Differentiation, Personalization & Intervention
All session recordings and materials provided courtesy of University of Tennessee—Knoxville’s Center for Educational Leadership, Instruction Partners, AIR and the Learning Accelerator.
Session 5 Resources:
Session 5 TASL Feedback and Surveys:
Upon completion of the video recording and resources above, please complete the survey below for your CORE region if you intend to earn TASL Credit:
Module 5 Survey: Mid Cumberland and South Central CORE
Module 5 Survey: Northwest and Southwest-Memphis CORE
Module 5 Survey: First TN and East TN CORE
Module 5 Survey: Southeast and Upper Cumberland CORE
Session 6 (Week of June 22) – Future Planning III: Strategic Resource Management
In the midst of the most challenging educational crisis in memory, educators may be dealing the prospect of a
potential fiscal crisis as well. Tennessee schools are highly reliant on sales tax revenue, and with economic
activity at a near standstill, principals will likely be grappling with constrained funding at a time of intense
educational need. This session will look at ways to effectively and efficiently organize school resources (time,
people, and money) to address the differential learning needs of all students. Innovative structural solutions
may need to be employed to meet growing educational needs amidst limited resources.
Session 6 Video Recording: Future Planning III: Strategic Resource Management
Session recordings and materials provided courtesy of University of Tennessee—Knoxville’s Center for Educational Leadership and Education Resource Strategies(ERS).
Session 6 Resources:
PDF: PPLS Module 6 Slides – Resource Management
PDF: ERS Slides – Resource Planning
PDF: Resource Exploration Links
Session 6 TASL Feedback and Surveys:
Upon completion of the video recording and resources above, please complete the survey below for your CORE region if you intend to earn TASL Credit:
Module 6 Survey: Mid Cumberland and South Central CORE
Module 6 Survey: Northwest and Southwest-Memphis CORE
Module 6 Survey: First TN and East TN CORE
Module 6 Survey: Southeast and Upper Cumberland CORE
Session 7 (Week of June 29) – Beyond Quarantine: Resetting School Culture, Collaboration & Community
Educators and school staffs will have also been physically separated for some six months when school
resumes in the fall, requiring careful thought as to how to re-establish and re-invigorate school culture,
community, and collaboration. This final professional learning unit will focus on the task of rallying the staff,
students, parents and stakeholders of a school around a common purpose, as well as communicating new and
established norms, protocols, and rituals. Clear expectations, effective communication, and stakeholder buyin will all be critical dynamics examined to support successful reunification.