PL Update Administrator Edition

professionallearning@cfisd.net

A moral choice to value the well-being of the whole community over pure self-interest.

CFISD is working toward a mid-September launch of PowerSchool Perform for the 2026–27 appraisal year.

The following actions, training opportunities, and resources will help campuses prepare for a smooth transition.

Accurately assigning each teacher to the appropriate appraisal plan is an essential step in preparing for launch. CF-TESS appraisal plans will be assigned based on each teacher’s new-hire status, eligibility for the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), or the recommendation submitted by the campus appraiser at the conclusion of the 2025–26 appraisal cycle.

1. Access the report.
   In CFPGS, select the REPORTING tab. Under My Reports/Memorized Reports, run the 25–26 Plan Recommendations report.
2. Download and review the report.
   Download the report as a CSV file, save it as an Excel spreadsheet, and use the sorting and filtering features to review your teacher list.
3. Verify each recommendation.
   Review the Recommendation column for accuracy. Teachers who are new to the district will not appear on this report.
4. Submit your verification.
   Complete this form to confirm that all recommendations are accurate and identify any changes needed.

Virtual training sessions will help appraisers become familiar with PowerSchool Perform. Participants will explore the updated platform, learn to navigate their workspace, and review key steps for managing appraisal tasks. Appraisers should select the session that best fits their schedule. The training will be recorded and shared with appraisers who are unable to attend a live virtual session.

Click the button below to access training dates and meeting links.

Principals will be notified when teacher access to PowerSchool Perform is available and should ensure teachers can access the system before appraisal activities begin.

A brief training video and additional resources will be available soon in CFPGS to help teachers access and navigate their 2026–27 appraisal plans. Principals are encouraged to share these resources and provide teachers with time to review them.

While the system is being prepared, staff may begin drafting their goals using the following templates, which are also linked below:

• PPG Planning Template
• GSG Planning Template

Staff should retain their drafts until PowerSchool Perform becomes available. Once access is enabled, teachers should log in, review their assigned appraisal plans, and enter their goals using the appropriate template. Additional launch information and resources will be shared as they become available.

You can easily access a comprehensive listing of Draft Goals for your staff. In CFPGS, select the REPORTING tab from the top menu bar. Under Reports/My Reports, run the 25-26 Draft Goals report. Download the report as a CSV file, save it as an Excel spreadsheet, and use the sorting and filtering features to review the list of draft goals.

During Phase 1 of the appraisal process, teachers will establish and implement a Personal Professional Goal, as well as a Goal for Student Growth. As a final step in this process, the teacher and appraiser will schedule a face-to-face Goal-Setting Conference to review the Personal Professional Goal as well as the Goal for Student Growth.

Access this shared folder of available training materials for the Goal-setting Process.

A help guide for teachers for completing Phase 1 is posted on your CFPGS Homepage under My Appraisal Resources.

As CFISD begins Year 2 of the Sibme TIA Pilot, participating administrators, teachers, and instructional coaches will have access to targeted professional learning throughout the 2026–27 school year. Sessions are designed to strengthen evidence collection, feedback, calibration, student work analysis, and reflection while helping participants use Sibme effectively throughout the appraisal process.

All administrators participating in the pilot are invited to attend Capture What Counts: Level-Up Your Evidence on September 10 or September 15. This 30-minute virtual session will focus on streamlining evidence capture and surfacing meaningful data in Sibme.

Additional sessions will support administrators at key points throughout the appraisal cycle:

• October 8 or 27: Say It With Purpose—Level-Up Your Feedback
• November 5 or 10: Align Before You Assign—Level-Up Your Calibration
• January 4: Administrator Refresher and Calibration Kickoff
• February 15: Don’t Start From Scratch—Summatives and Sibme

These sessions will focus on purposeful feedback, campus calibration, district calibration, and using evidence collected in Sibme to support summative appraisal conferences.

Dedicated sessions are also planned for teachers and instructional coaches at TIA pilot campuses:

• October 9: See It Before They Score It—Level-Up Your Reflection
• November 3: More Than a Score—Level-Up Your Student Work Analysis
• April 26: The Year in the Rearview

These sessions will help participants reflect on their progress toward designation, use Sibme to support student work analysis, celebrate growth, and plan next steps.

Review the complete 2026–27 training and registration schedule for session descriptions, times, and registration links.

Since our “go live” launch in January 2023, the paraeducator evaluation pilot has continued to grow through a slow, thoughtful, and purposeful rollout each school year. Thanks to the feedback, support, and collaboration of our pilot participants, we are excited to continue expanding the process in 2026–27 by adding additional campus-based paraeducator groups as we move closer toward full implementation of the district’s online appraisal system.

As part of this expansion, Domain 1 of the evaluation is differentiated based on the essential functions of each role, helping ensure the process more accurately reflects the day-to-day responsibilities and expectations of participating paraeducators.

Below is a full list of the paraeducator groups included in the 2026–27 pilot expansion. We encourage all participating staff and supervisors to review the information carefully as we continue building a consistent, supportive, and growth-focused evaluation process across the district.

FIRST Educational Resources and J Casas and Associates will join us for the fall mini-conference. Here is a preview of the conference agenda.

Principals, Directors, and Coordinators can involve up to two additional leadership team members based on the mini-conference topics and their needs.

Seating is limited. Registration closes on September 16. Register TODAY for Session #66605!

We are in the process of expanding our Teacher Leader Institute (TLI) trainer cadre to better meet district and campus needs. We will be selecting additional trainers in the next few months to join the existing TLI trainer cadre. As we expand this cadre of trainers, we will be looking for outstanding teacher leaders who meet the selection criteria.

For more information about this special opportunity, click HERE.

To access a pre-formatted principal recommendation letter that can be shared with teachers, click HERE.

We’re excited to bring back the TLI Leadership Level-Up Series with three special Saturday virtual sessions for those who attended this past summer’s Teacher Leader Institute (TLI)!

These sessions are designed to complement the learning TLI participants experienced this past summer and will offer the same rich content in smaller, more digestible portions, allowing new teacher leaders to connect, reflect, and grow alongside their peers as they continue to strengthen their leadership skills.

The details below provide campus leaders with a preview of the session content, which will be shared with Summer 2026 invitees.

We are SO excited to share with you our newest professional development opportunity to sharpen your saw. Quantum Learning Brain Bits Sessions begin on October 4! For session details, select the button below or scan the QR code.

Witsby™ is modernizing how educators learn, lead, and thrive.

Witsby™ On-Demand Learning offers flexible professional development through CFPGS. Each course provides up to 4 hours of credit, with some also offering GT credit. You must earn at least 80% on the final/knowledge check for each module and on the final course assessment to receive credit, with opportunities to review and retake as needed. Courses are fully integrated into CFPGS for easy registration and access. You MUST register in CFPGS to receive credit.

Click HERE to access a full list of available courses.

But, wait! Witsby™ offers even more!

You also have access to a growing library of research-based PD content, including videos, articles, and ebooks by ASCD authors and leading practitioners.

To explore the full suite of available resources, log in to CFPGS, select the Witsby™ tab, and begin exploring!

Visit your CFPGS Homepage to access the Witsby On-Demand Courses Help Guide and a curated list of courses under Resources for Professional Learning and Resources for GT.

We’re excited to share that the 2026-27 compliance-related courses for returning employees are now available!

The district requires that all employees complete a series of yearly compliance-related courses to educate them on the various health, safety, social, and ethical issues that might arise on the job. The directions below enumerate the steps for completing courses launched through Schoology and SafeSchools.

Here is a complete listing of required compliance-related courses for RETURNING EMPLOYEES, NEW HIRE EMPLOYEES, and SPECIFIC AUDIENCES (i.e., nurses, assistant principals, etc.)

Courses marked with a ⭐ ICON offer the TEST-OUT option. In order to ensure successful completion of each course, users are encouraged to follow the directions highlighted in the help guide referenced below.

Employees are automatically enrolled in compliance-related courses once the hiring process is complete.

A help guide for accessing and completing compliance-related courses is posted on your CFPGS Homepage under Resources for Professional Learning.

Four key principles govern a comprehensive induction program: orientation, ongoing support provided through the district's New Teacher Institute, mentoring, and networking. The goal of mentoring and induction programs is the retention and growth of new teachers so that every student succeeds.

You are just a click away from additional resources to support Lead Mentors, Mentors, and New Teachers. Simply click HERE.

Feel free to reach out to tonya.dixon@cfisd.net with questions or concerns

Mentoring is a partnership created to help support new teachers by providing them with an experienced teacher to confidentially discuss topics and provide guidance. Below are a few suggested items mentors can do/share to support mentees on their campuses:

• Show location of resources (classroom supplies, copy machines, lab materials, and other teacher resources).
• Share first day/week activities – provide guidance on organizing the first day & first week
• Discuss and/or provide samples of course syllabi, grading policies, attendance policies, classroom procedures, and classroom setup
• Establish a scheduled time to meet with your mentee for the first semester
• Make sure your mentee understands the evacuation and emergency procedures

At every campus, Professional Learning Liaisons are specifically chosen to serve in the role based on their knowledge and willingness to help others grow. As the school year begins, PLLs help monitor staff’s progress in completing the beginning of the year Compliance Courses.

In addition, PLLs assist staff with accessing professional development transcripts and records and share information about professional development opportunities.

UPCOMING SHARE SESSION

The next Professional Learning Liaison Share Session will be held on September 10th from 5:00-6:00 via Zoom. PLLs are reminded to register for session #66513.

Feel free to reach out to torine.champion@cfisd.net with questions or concerns.

Because we know that you continuously seek opportunities to grow others and yourself, we encourage you to explore and share two available resources that are just a couple of clicks away. Scroll down to learn more.

• Leadership Development Resources – visit here to find information regarding the district’s Leadership Institute Series
• Graduate Resources – this one-stop-shop provides various graduate programs for those seeking principal certification and/or a M.Ed., Ed.D., or Ph.D.

The Professional Learning Department is committed to providing support, building capacity, and cultivating talent by partnering with departments across the district to provide research-based professional development that can translate into improved student achievement and overall school effectiveness.

The team offers educators a continuum of support services through multiple professional learning opportunities. From new teacher induction and mentoring to the teacher appraisal process, leadership development, and Quantum Learning, the Professional Learning staff strives to provide high-quality, job-embedded professional learning for all stages of professional growth. The essential functions of the department are as follows:

1. Cypress-Fairbanks Professional Growth System (CFPGS)
2. New Teacher Induction and Mentoring
3. Teacher Appraisal Process
4. Graduate Cohorts and Resources
5. Districtwide Professional Development

Glenda Horner, Ed.D.

Director for Professional Learning

Torine Champion, Ed. D.
Coordinator for Professional Learning

Tonya Dixon, Ed.D.

Professional Learning Specialist

Belinda Sepulveda
Administrative Assistant to Director for Professional Learning

Pat Bice
Administrative Assistant for Professional Learning