Alief ISD outlines expanded professional learning: induction, specialist summit, national board cohorts

Alief ISD’s professional learning team presented a comprehensive update on programs intended to strengthen instruction and retention, including an associate teacher support conference, a specialist empowerment academy, a specialist leadership summit, two concurrent National Board cohorts, Alief best-practices workshops, PBIS and restorative-practice trainings, and de-escalation training for district staff. Dr. Courtney Marshall, the district’s director of professional learning, introduced a team of specialists who described programs and early outcomes. Monica Lee outlined the associate teacher support conference designed to equip veteran educators who mentor associate teachers; Amanda Macio described monthly onboarding and campus coaching for instructional specialists; Jamila Lee summarized the district’s National Board support cohorts; and Holland Polson and others reviewed Alief Best Practices and campus leadership workshops. Trustees praised the work and asked for follow-up data on outcomes and participation. Trustee Rick Moreno suggested presenting the district’s model at regional conferences; other trustees asked for updates on program results and implementation metrics. Staff said they would continue to provide regular follow-up and data to trustees. The presentations were informational; trustees did not take formal action at this meeting.