Cultures of Thinking Summit 2027

"For classrooms to be cultures of thinking for students, schools must be cultures of thinking for teachers." -- R. Ritchhart, 2023
 How—in the midst of days crowded with urgent matters that require our attention—do we find the time for our own learning as educators? And once we’ve found the time, how do we use it in a way that helps us learn more, and more deeply, about teaching and learning? In this session, we will practice protocols and processes that support collaborative professional learning, talk through the misconceptions that often get in the way of effective collaborative learning, and share ideas about how to address the practical challenges that often emerge when we take steps to make the learning of teachers and administrators a vital part of a school’s culture of thinking.

This session will offer perspectives on leveraging the Cultures of Thinking (CoT) Mindsets to inform instructional planning and organizational culture. Drawing upon ten years of experience at Mandela International Magnet School in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Principal Randy Grillo will engage participants in an analysis of street data and student work that illustrates how teachers are using CoT Mindsets to guide their instructional decisions. Participants will explore practical ideas for using these mindsets not just as a vision, but as an ongoing tool to illuminate next steps, drive professional growth, and shape a responsive and reflective learning environment.

We often use the word “training” when we talk about teacher professional learning. This connotes that there is some skill or practice that we merely want teachers to replicate or add into their practice. However, developing a culture of thinking goes much deeper than merely adding a set of practices. It requires a deep reflection on and understanding of one’s teaching as we engage in the ongoing practice of refining it. Such an inquiry provides a powerful example of in-depth, ongoing professional learning. In this session we will look at the Inquiry Cycle we have used to guide teachers around the world in the Cultures of Thinking Project and hear from local teachers about what this type of learning has meant to them.