Welcome to the sixth edition of Learning Links!
June 2025 The Final Bell
Like gardeners harvesting their crops, you planted the seeds of knowledge, nurtured growth throughout the year, and are now seeing the fruits of your labor.
"Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops." - Henry Books Adams
LFNJ - Part of the NJDOE Working Group on Educator Evaluation
LFNJ has been invited to participate in the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Working Group on Educator Evaluation.
Learning Forward New Jersey has actively contributed to the NJDOE’s Teacher Evaluation Working Group, a collaboration aimed at reimagining evaluation to support educator development and student learning. Though the group's final meeting is in late May, the work to refine draft guidance, which emphasizes professional learning, growth, and collaboration, continues with the Department of Education review. Member feedback has been crucial in shaping these practical and aspirational recommendations. Learning Forward New Jersey remains committed to ensuring professional learning drives educator growth as this initiative progresses.
Learning Forward New Jersey will provide ongoing updates to its members on the progress of the NJDOE’s Teacher Evaluation Working Group, in which Learning Forward New Jersey is an active collaborator.
FEATURED TOOL - END OF YEAR REFLECTION & PLANNING
Use these with your grade-level teams, committees, or PLCs to reflect and launch into summer with insight:
What moments this year made us feel most proud, connected, or energized?
Where did our students grow the most — and what contributed to that growth?
What barriers did we face as a team, and how did we (or how could we) overcome them?
If we had a magic wand, what would we change about how we collaborated or used time?
What one focus could have the biggest positive impact on students or staff next year?
Spotlight on Dr. Maribeth Edmunds
Learning Forward New Jersey, Advisory Board
Dr. Maribeth Edmunds is the Founder and Chief Learning Officer of EdmundsOUT Enterprises, LLC. Her mission is to foster acceptance of children and adults with autism in our schools and communities through knowledge and understanding. Her TEDx Talk entitled “Giving Voice to Autistic Adults” was featured at Brookdale Community College’s TEDx Conference in April 2023.
With over forty years of experience, Dr. Edmunds has served as principal, director of professional development as well as director of secondary education for a large New Jersey district. She is skilled in supervision, curriculum development, evaluation, mentoring, strategic planning, and talent management. A published author of numerous articles, she is the creator and host of #EdmundsOut on social media platforms where she shares thoughts with educators around the world.
Currently, Dr. Edmunds is an Adjunct Professor in the Alternate Route Teacher Program at Brookdale Community College. She is also a coach for principals at the New Jersey Institute for School Leaders. She is pleased to offer ‘Chat and Chew’ sessions for colleagues around the state as they work to strengthen their knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Day of Learning - March 11, 2025
Becoming a Learning Architect –
On March 11, 2025, Learning Forward New Jersey hosted its highly anticipated Annual Day of Learning, Becoming a Learning Architect: Designing Professional Learning with Impact. Designed for district administrators, educators, and instructional coaches, this event offered an inspiring and transformative experience focused on expanding expertise, fostering equity, and engaging in innovative design.
Participants engaged in rich, collaborative conversations and explored strategies to develop meaningful professional learning systems that drive growth for both educators and students. The day was structured to not only spark inspiration but also to provide practical, research-based tools that can be applied in schools and districts.
A highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Frederick Brown, President and CEO of Learning Forward International. His insights challenged attendees to reimagine professional learning as a lever for equity, leadership, and lasting impact.
We extend heartfelt thanks to our partners at NJPSA-FEA for hosting the event and to the New Jersey Department of Education for their ongoing collaboration. These partnerships are central to our mission of empowering educators and leaders through continuous, meaningful learning.
Whether you joined us in person or are engaging with the resources now, we’re grateful to have you as part of our learning community. Together, we continue to design professional learning with purpose and impact.
With appreciation, The Learning Forward New Jersey Team
Chat 'n Chew April 9, 2025
“Street Data Meets the Science of Reading”
On April 9th, Learning Forward New Jersey hosted its latest ‘Chat and Chew’ session entitled “Street Data Meets the Science of Reading.” The one-hour format, facilitated by Dr. Maribeth Edmunds, explored possible connections between Street Data and the Science of Reading.
To frame the conversation, Dr. Edmunds shared NAEP and NJ data indicating that the reading achievement of fourth-and eighth-grade students has declined since the pandemic. To reverse the trend, many districts have turned to the Science of Reading by implementing evidence-based reading programs. Participants discussed how they are using these programs with students.
The next part offered an introduction to Street Data, (Safir & Dugan, 2019) a qualitative method of research that seeks to understand the perspectives of students. By holding focus groups, conducting interviews, and tracking participation of students, Street Data offers opportunities to capture deeper insights and thus target instruction. Street Data combined with standardized data can help to sharpen the focus of our work as we improve reading instruction.
The ‘Chat and Chew’ formats are a free, collaborative service of Learning Forward NJ. It is a part of our mission to support professional learning of educators as they equitably serve all students. Look for our next “Chat and Chew” session to be held in the fall.
Link to April 9, 2025 Chat 'n Chew Presentation
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-street-data-a-new-grammar-for-educational-equity/2019/03
Learning Forward New Jersey
Learning Forward New Jersey is an affiliate of Learning Forward International.
Mission Statement
Learning Forward NJ builds the capacity of educators to implement and support professional learning to equitably serve all students, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
Learning Forward New Jersey Membership Options
Learning Forward New Jersey is excited to offer two membership options for educators: Standard and Advantage.
The Learning Forward New Jersey Standard Membership is free! This membership gives you access to our quarterly newsletters and email invitations to upcoming events.
The Learning Forward New Jersey Advantage Membership costs just $15. This membership allows access to a shared folder of resources, discounted early registration to our annual conference, invite-only events, and a digital badge for your email signature. Advantage Members are also eligible for yearly honors and rewards. This membership can be obtained in two ways. Click here to complete the membership form and directions for where to send your form and payment. Or, choose Learning Forward New Jersey as your affiliate when you renew your membership with Learning Forward.
Email: learningforwardnj@gmail.com
Website: nj.learningforward.org
Location: New Jersey, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearningForwardNewJersey
X/Twitter: @LearnForwardNJ
