Designing Cross-District Visits as Leadership Training Tools: A Professional Learning Network for Supporting Immigrant Students

• In Event: Leadership Strategies and Instructional Practices That Enhance Equity and Cultural Responsiveness

Abstract

With the growth of global migration, educational leaders’ responsibilities to support newcomers have also grown. Our professional learning network (PLN) focused on building district leaders’ capacity to serve immigrant-origin students. We answer the research question: How does the design of cross-district site visits foster district leaders’ professional learning about serving immigrant-origin students? First, cross-district collaboration allowed educators to identify shared and context-dependent practices. Second, in-person visits allowed us to speak with and observe people beyond our immediate contacts. Third, scheduling opportunities for reflection helped visitors identify how the showcased practices could be applied to their own contexts. Fourth, scheduling time for feedback at the end of each visit gave a sense of purpose to the experience.

Authors

• Rebecca J. Lowenhaupt, Boston College

• Edom Tesfa, Brown University

• Jennifer Queenan, Graduate Center - CUNY

• Paulette Andrade Gonzalez, Boston College