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Have you attended a Learning Forward Annual Conference and ever wondered how those powerful sessions get selected? Or thought, “I’d love to be part of that process”?

Here’s your chance.

Learning Forward is hosting the 2026 Annual Conference at the Gaylord Texan, and educators from our region are invited to help score conference presentation proposals and shape the learning experience for thousands of attendees.

📅 Proposal Scoring Day:
Thursday, February 19, 2026 | 9:00–3:30
Richardson ISD Professional Development Center (Lunch provided)

Why volunteer?

• See what makes a strong conference proposal
• Learn about emerging ideas in professional learning
• Collaborate with peers from across the region
• Receive a free one-year digital Learning Forward membership

If you care about high-quality professional learning and want to contribute to the field in a meaningful way, this is a great opportunity to get involved.

Interested? Use this link to sign up.

Let’s help build an outstanding 2026 conference – together!

We’re excited to kick off 2026 together at our LFNTX meeting in Forney on January 30! This month’s meeting will be hosted at Forney ISD’s Opportunity Central (The OC) – an innovative, multi-use space for learning, collaboration, and community experiences. When you walk in, you might find yourself asking, “Is this a mall or a school?!”

Check out this one-of-a-kind destination for education, student-run businesses, events, and more here: theoc.net.

Breakfast & Arrival Info

Doors will open at 8:30 and breakfast will be provided for everyone, and there is also a coffee shop and multiple eateries on site if you’d like to grab something extra.

Address: 680 Innovation Blvd., Forney, TX 75126

Schedule

Our morning (9-11:30am) will focus on meaningful dialogue around shared problems of practice, followed by time to begin co-creating projects we can bring back to our own districts.

The afternoon (1-3pm) will be a time for learning. Join us for If Learning Is Changing, What About Us? – an engaging PL experience focused on the future of education through the lens of PL leadership. In this interactive session, we’ll explore big ideas, emerging shifts, and key questions shaping where learning is headed – and consider what that means for how we design, lead, and support professional learning in our districts. Participants will engage in reflection and dialogue and leave with ideas and entry points they can continue exploring and adapting within their own contexts.  

We hope you’ll join us in Forney – promise, it’s not as far as it sounds (and totally worth the trip!). Please RSVP here.

As we look ahead to the new year, we’re excited to share our upcoming LFNTX meeting dates and what’s on the horizon for our learning community. Please mark your calendars now and note a date/location change for February. We’ll gather on January 30th in Forney ISD and again on February 27th in Birdville ISD. More details about each meeting, including agendas and logistics, will be shared once we return in January.

In the spring, our work together will shift into an exciting new phase. We’ll begin forming partnerships and collaborating on co-created projects, including the design of learning sessions/experiences that we can each take back and adapt for our own districts. These sessions will be hands-on and collaborative, so come ready with ideas, curiosity, and a willingness to build alongside colleagues who share your passion for meaningful professional learning.

Until then, we wish you a restful break filled with joy and time to recharge. We’re grateful for this community and look forward to reconnecting in January – refreshed, inspired, and ready to do great work together. Happy Holidays!

We hope you will join us this Friday, November 14, in Frisco for the November LFNTX Meeting. Morning session is 9:00-11:30am and afternoon is 1:00-3:00pm. Bring your ideas and energy – we’ll learn together and begin the process of co-creating something meaningful!

Location: 10701 Dallas Pkwy Frisco, TX 75033 (Enter the North facing doors, across from the Wakeland HS practice field.)

If you haven’t already, please RSVP HERE. Also, don’t forget to invite and bring someone new to the group!

Doors open at 8:30am for a bagel breakfast and coffee- a perfect chance to reconnect with colleagues and kick off a day of collaboration, learning, and inspiration.

During the morning, we’ll engage in meaningful dialogue around shared problem of practices. Then, we’ll take time to explore potential projects we can co-create and bring back to our own districts, using our shared expertise to address common needs and strengthen professional learning across North Texas. (Come with some ideas and resources!)

In the afternoon, we invite you to join us for Leading with Impact, a PL experience inspired by Liz Wiseman’s Book, Impact Players. In this interactive session, participants will explore what distinguishes those who simply contribute from those who elevate everyone around them- and leave with a turnkey professional learning experience that can be adapted for their own districts.

In addition to experiencing learning, participants will continue our morning collaboration with fellow LFNTX members to plan for a project(s) that extends our collective impact. Come ready to learn and connect!

Morning session is 9:00-11:30am and afternoon is 1:00-3:00pm. Please RSVP HERE

Location: 10701 Dallas Pkwy Frisco, TX 75033 (Enter the North facing doors, across from the Wakeland HS practice field.)

Also, don’t forget to invite and bring someone new to the group. See you all soon!

See below for important updates and upcoming opportunities you won’t want to miss!

No Tricks, Just Treats! Join Us for a FREE Virtual Event!

Learning Forward Texas is thrilled to invite educators from across the state to a special virtual gathering designed to foster connection and collaboration.

Date: Thursday, October 31
Time: 12:00–2:00 PM
Location: Virtual (Zoom link will be sent the day before)
RSVP Here

What to Expect:
• Connect with colleagues from your regional affiliate.
• Explore opportunities to get involved at both local and statewide levels.
• Collaborate and problem-solve with peers in similar roles while networking with professionals throughout Texas.

Grab your lunch (and maybe a little Halloween candy) and join us for an engaging afternoon of learning and connection. This event is open and FREE to anyone interested in professional learning – no costume required!

Save the Date! In-Person LFNTX Meeting – November 14

Be sure to mark your calendars for our next in-person LFNTX meeting on Friday, November 14, in Frisco ISD. If you’re interested in facilitating a learning session during the afternoon, please reach out to Mindy at blackmanm@friscoisd.org – We’d love to feature your ideas and expertise!

Important Deadlines

Don’t forget these upcoming opportunities:

• Conference Proposals Due: November 7
• Professional Learning Award Applications Due: November 7

We can’t wait to collaborate with you at both gatherings. Don’t forget to invite a friend!

Please note an important schedule update:

• The October 17 meeting has been rescheduled and will now take place on Friday, November 14.
• The October 31 virtual meeting will serve as our October meeting. Register HERE

We are currently seeking hosts for the November 14 meeting. If you are interested in hosting, please email Mindy Blackman at blackmanm@friscoisd.org

Also, if hosting isn’t possible this year but you would like to facilitate learning for the afternoon, we’d love your involvement as well! Please reach out to Mindy to express your interest.

Thank you for your flexibility and continued commitment to professional learning and collaboration. We look forward to connecting with you virtually on October 31 and in person on November 14.

We hope to see everyone at our first LFNTX meeting of the year this Friday, September 19. Doors open at 8:30 AM and the address for the meeting is: Arzell Ball Center (410 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson, TX 75081) 

If you have not already sent in your RSVP, please do so HERE. And don’t forget to invite a new friend!

RISD is positively glowing with excitement to host the very first 25-26 LFNTX meeting of the year on September 19!

Doors open at 8:30 AM at the Arzell Ball Center (410 S. Greenville Ave., Richardson, TX 75081) for a light breakfast before we kick off a day that shines bright with learning and collaboration. We’ll start with a spotlight on our new teacher training series, dig into problems of practice, and wrap up with some creative fun around visual design for presentations. PLUS – we’ve built in time to shine on our favorite listens, reads, and resources, so bring a book, podcast, website, or tool to share! Come ready to shine, share, and glow together. Also, don’t forget to invite and bring someone new to the group!

Morning session is 9:00-11:30am and afternoon is 1:00-3:00pm. Please RSVP HERE.

We are also still looking for hosts for October and January. If you are interested, please email Mindy Blackman: blackmanm@friscoisd.org

Looking forward to learning with everyone!

Happy New School Year! The meeting dates for the 2025-2026 meetings have tentatively been set. Please see below to pencil in dates on your calendar. (Please note: Some dates may shift as we finalize hosts for the monthly meetings.)

And speaking of hosts… we can’t make our networking and learning happen without you! If your district is willing to host a monthly meeting, please email Mindy Blackman at blackmanm@friscoisd.org to sign up or to inquire about hosting details. Thank you!

Here’s to a great year!

• September 19, 2025
• October 17, 2025
• October 31, 2025 – Virtual Meeting w/ Texas Affiliates
• January 30, 2026
• February 20, 2026
• April 10, 2026
• May 8, 2026