Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS) and Cambridge
Since 2016, Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents (TOSS) has partnered with Cambridge to provide professional development relevant for Tennessee and meaningfully linked to the strategic plan of the Tennessee Department of Education and the state’s education leaders.
With a focus on universal skills and concepts in teaching and learning, this Enrichment Professional Development is relevant to all schools, districts, and education organizations, to help make educational transformation a reality. Cambridge schools can also take advantage of Introductory and Extension training on Cambridge syllabuses and curriculum frameworks.
Organization profile
- Tennessee membership association for school leadership
- Includes superintendents, directors of schools, principals, vice principals, supervisors, and lead learners
- About 2,000 members across 145 Tennessee school systems
Strategies
TOSS and Cambridge have customized a series of professional development courses based on the specific needs of TOSS’ Tennessee membership. Cambridge builds the TOSS training program by looking at Tennessee’s annual “strands of work” selected by the advisory council, state superintendents, and TOSS membership.
Wanda Shelton, assistant executive director, TOSS Associate Leadership Institute, reports that Cambridge events “feature amazing presenters who share research-based information. They offer both meaningful material AND real-life examples of the work in our own Tennessee schools.”
When the pandemic prevented in-person gatherings, TOSS and Cambridge pivoted to offer online professional development. Because sessions were easier to access than previous in-person events, more members were able to join. TOSS membership has embraced the online format and requested virtual sessions moving forward.