UND offers instructional leadership academy to K-12 educators The College of Education and Human Development and the UND Professional Development for Educators will sponsor an Instructional Leadership Academy Friday, Feb. 15, at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. It will provide area school administrators, lead teachers, and University master's and doctoral students information on how to create and sustain long-term, sustainable professional development strategies for their school district. The sessions of this premiere Instructional Leadership Academy will focus on collaboration among educators, the development of a Professional Learning Community (PLC), and leadership within school districts. Academy speakers are nationally-known experts on PLC and accurate assessment who bring passion, knowledge, and credibility to the teaching profession. Eric Twadell is an award-winning practitioner and an accessible and articulate authority on PLC concepts. Using his hands-on experience, Dr. Twadell consults with schools and districts nationwide to advance the successful implementation of the PLC model. Janel Keating gives educators the practical advice they need to create their own PLC. She also shares effective strategies for utilizing assessment data and methods for analyzing student work, detailing how to make timely instructional changes to meet the learning needs of all students. Dennis King specializes in the power of PLC and assessment for learning from a district perspective. Dr. King connects with educators as a fellow practitioner, inviting them to explore PLC strategies and develop a plan that meets their unique needs. Participants may register as an individual or part of a school team. Deadline for early bird registration is Friday, Jan. 18, with a fee of $199 for individuals and $179 for each member of a school team (includes conference materials, continental breakfast and lunch). The academy is coordinated by the UND Office of Conference Services. For a registration form, complete academy schedule and more information, visit www.conted.und.edu/ila; call UND Office of Conferences Services at 777-2663 or 866-579-2663 (toll free); e-mail conferences@mail.und.edu (ATTN: ILA).