Pictured, from left, are Brian Sepe, Mary Brower, Holly Wenning, Ruth Ayres, Paula Fiscus, and Jonathan Winslow. Photo provided by Ruth Ayres.

Press Release

FORT WAYNE — More than 70 Indiana educators from over 20 school districts are gathering for Winter Refresh on Thursday, Feb. 1.

In a time when so many educators are leaving the profession, The Lead Learners offers a chance to refuel and build skills and confidence for leading positive change.

For this professional learning event, national practitioners will be presenting about change processes and keeping the momentum for positive change. The presenters include:

• Brian Sepe, an instructional coach from Buffalo, N.Y. Sepe has worked with the Jim Knight Coaching Group and is a consultant and instructional coach with the Western New York Teaching Residency program. Sepe is a contributor to Choice Literacy.
• Gwen Blumberg is a district-level literacy leader in Greater Boston. Blumberg is a lifelong avid reader who loves to share books with kids and listen to the stories they write and tell. Blumberg writes professionally with Edutopia, Teachers|Books|Readers, and Choice Literacy.
• Ruth Ayres is the director of The Lead Learners, editor-in-chief for Choice Literacy, and three-time author. She provides professional learning that leaves participants feeling understood, equipped, and energized. Working with schools throughout the United States, Ayres’ presentations deeply resonate with educators because despite their complexity, they are approached with authenticity.

The Lead Learners is committed to learning from those who are in the field. The group believes in practical professional learning that inspires growth and also knows the importance of offering choice in professional learning. Participants may join virtually or in-person at four locations:

• Region 8 Education Service Center, Fort Wayne
• Caston Schools, Rochester
• MS Steuben Schools, Angola
• School City of Mishawaka, Mishawaka

These sites and the virtual community are facilitated by members of The Lead Learners Think Tank Team. They are:

• Mary Brower, Lit Cadre Coach, Wawasee Schools
• Sarah Clary, Assistant Principal, MSD Steuben County
• Paula Fiscus, Secondary Instructional Coach, Wawasee Schools
• Precious Francis, Technology Coach, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation
• Michelle McGregor, Lit Cadre Coach, Whitley County Consolidated Schools
• Ali Schlotfeldt, Curriculum Integration Specialist, School City of Mishawaka
• Jennifer Scott, Reading Interventionist, Caston Schools
• Austin Van, Technology Coordinator, MSD Steuben County Schools
• Holly Wenning, Secondary Instructional Coach, Southwest Allen County Schools
• Jonathan Winslow, Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, MSD Steuben County Schools

The Lead Learners is grateful for the generous support of Region 8 Education Service Center, the Dekko Foundation, and Walmart.