This document provides information about supporting teacher-to-teacher connections through funding opportunities. It discusses three key areas of focus: research leadership, school community engagement, and cross-school authority projects. Funding will be provided in two blocks to support opportunities that build lateral teacher capacity, particularly those initiated by teachers involving collaboration across school authorities. Applicants are assessed based on criteria like how many teachers are involved, how the goals align with supporting common interests or inquiries, and plans for follow-up.

1. Supporting
Teacher to
Teacher
Connections

2. Creating and enhancing opportunities to share
resources and expertise across the province!
Focus is on three key areas :
1) Research leadership (data and measures, analysis)
2) School Community Engagement
3) Cross-School Authority Projects

3. Request for support
To request support complete the online form at:
http://bit.ly/RfC7RS
Providing support to build lateral capacity

4. Scenarios
• Scenario A: • Scenario B:
In reviewing AISI projects on the During the networking break at a
Sharepoint that have themes similar to conference or PD event, teachers from a
theirs, three AISI jurisdictions in the south and one from the
coordinators, Kevin, Sharon and Wendy north realize have a similar questions
connect, and decide that some cross- about working with data. The teachers
school authority sharing would be of great from Lethbridge public have done some
benefit. They each discuss the idea with a work with an expert and were wondering
keen cohort of teachers in their area and how to leverage that work in their AISI
then coordinators and teachers connect via data collection/analysis in support of their
VC to create a preliminary plan. Wendy project. The teachers from Fort McMurray
wonders if they could meet at the Literacy public feels that connecting with Laura
conference to talk about what they are Lipton would also further their work, so
doing, what they have learned so far, what they decide to meet via Skype the
they hope to achieve and what kinds of following week to brainstorm some ideas.
professional learning they are going to be They check with their local consortiums
involved with. Kevin and Sharon don’t have but neither has plans to bring in Laura
the funding they need to attend the Lipton for that purpose in the near future.
Literacy conference. They decide to apply Together with their consortium reps, they
for funding to attend the conference to explore the potential of bringing the expert
meet up with SA 3, and in support of that in for a series of 2-3 webinars or Skype
application, create a plan that includes meetings to coach them, using their own
what they will do before, during and after data, and having the expert follow up with
the conference to support continued a commitment to provide a weeklong
collaborative learning. period of Q/A discussions on data
collection/analysis in the Networks online
CoP with support from the Networks
Funding.

5. Assessment Criteria
Question Most Impactful Moderately impactful Least Impactful
3 2 1
Who is the primary contact for this teacher coordinator expert
opportunity?
Who will be involved from the AISI Majority are teachers from across province or Teachers and AISI coordinators/administrators AISI coordinators/administrators
community? majority are teachers within our region/zone across Alberta or teachers and
coordinators/administrators within our
region/zone
How do the goals of the opportunity Sharing knowledge/expertise/resources on a Working group facilitated by an expert Attend a content-driven session led by
align with your AISI project(s)? common interest/area of inquiry expert
Briefly describe how this meeting was initiated by teachers and AISI coordinator Brokered by PD providers (ARPDC, AAC, ATA) in initiated by facilitator/expert
initiated and by whom. consultation with AISI teachers/coordinator
If this meeting will involve a
facilitator/expert please provide
contact information.
Choose the priority below, if any, that Cross school authority projects Research leadership or school community Other - e.g. instructional strategies
aligns with the goals of the engagement
opportunity.
Describe briefly what work has been Teachers and/or AISI coordinators have met and AISI coordinators and/or PD providers have met Informal discussions between teachers
done in advance of this opportunity. created a collaborative plan for working together and have developed a collaborative plan to work and/or AISI coordinators.
together.
How does the group anticipate Follow up includes technology-mediated Follow up requires further Network funding No follow up plan
following up on this opportunity? strategies, uses other funding and/or in person
meetings during other scheduled events/meetings
Provide an estimated budget for the Some in kind support, all possible efficiencies Some efficiencies realized, no in kind support Large % of budget on travel, sustenance,
opportunity. realized, cost/participant is reasonable cost/participant high
Can we share an invitation via the AISI Yes - open No - closed
online community, ARPDC websites or
other communication channels?
Additional info Additional information closely aligned with the Additional information somewhat aligned with Additional information loosely connected
goals of the Network(s) the goals of the Network(s) to the goals of the Network(s)
Total points

6. Assessment Criteria
Requests will be reviewed and funds allocated in
two blocks for the 2012-2013 school year:
October and November 2012.
February and March 2013.

7. Reporting
• Fund recipients will be required to complete a brief online
questionnaire at the conclusion of the opportunity supported
by grant funds.
• We hope that you will share pictures, tell stories and find ways
to demonstrate the impact that this funding had on helping
you to:
BUILD
TEACHER TO TEACHER
CONNECTIONS!

8. Get Connected
Join the provincial site at:
aisinetwork.ning.com