Ongoing and Intentionally Designed Professional Learning

Dedicated to developing faculty members' knowledge of learning, learning disorders, and research-based methods of remediation even before students step into a WPS classroom, Winston 101 is designed for all new faculty members and begins with an intensive summer workshop series, continuing throughout the fall semester. With WIL leaders presenting on various topics, first-year faculty members have the opportunity to learn alongside their peers from all WPS campuses. The summer workshops focus on immersing new faculty in understanding the WPS mission and philosophy by diving deep into the Qualities of a Sustainable and Independent Learner, the Continuous Feedback System, and the Neuropsychological Paradigm of Learning and Learning Disorders, while cultivating their ‘toolbox’ of knowledge, assessment, and best practices. Throughout the academic year, first-year faculty participate in a monthly series aimed at supporting the application of this understanding through current student case study discussions and evidence-based programming design. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, dive deeper, and engage in conversation amongst colleagues across our campuses, sparking curiosity and innovation, directly supporting our students’ growth.


Research in Learning & Learning Disorders

WIL leaders share current research on learning and learning disorders. Faculty not only deepen their understanding of learning and learning disorders but also continue to stay current on the most effective programming approaches for individual students. In this monthly series, participants engage in small group discussions, reflections, and application exercises tied to the individual students they work with. Sessions include topics such as understanding working memory as it applies to our work with students with dyslexia, understanding visual-spatial skills and how they apply to our work with students with NVLD, or understanding processing speed and how that applies to our work with students with an executive functioning disorder.


Updates in Research & Applications
Our veteran faculty participate in a monthly series that focuses on staying up-to-date with best practice research as it applies to our understanding of learning and learning disorders. 

WIL leaders share current best practice research and guide application of this research to participants’ understanding of learning and learning disorders as it pertains to the individual students they work with. Through case study reviews and small group discussions, faculty members reflect upon the research shared while working together to apply the information to their students’ programming.


Collaborative Problem Solving in Leadership
An opportunity for leadership across campuses to collaborate, discuss current issues in education and research and reflect upon how these issues impact their respective communities.

WIL research initiatives are shared with campus leadership teams monthly, serving as a basis for high-level discussions reflecting upon how the information shared applies to the campus communities, what challenges it might support, what effective application might look like, and what they would like to learn more about.  


Faculty Learning Library Portal

The Winston Innovation Lab’s Faculty Learning Library Portal connects all faculty while supporting ongoing learning and shared expertise. The Faculty Learning Library Portal is designed to be an ever-developing, on-demand, virtual library where WPS leaders and faculty have access to all WIL-based professional learning recordings and presentations, and contribute to campus-based professional development, teaching resources, tools, and strategies, as well as WIL-produced slide decks and summaries of current research and how to apply this research to our work. These presentations range from research-based homework design to developing a deeper understanding of visual-spatial skills, how these skills support learning, and how to design programming to support the development of these skills. Additionally, the Faculty Learning Portal houses a Collaborative Problem Solving page where faculty members can start a conversation with the entire WPS teaching community, sharing the wealth of knowledge and understanding our dedicated learning specialists possess while nurturing the innovation that happens each and every day.