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School of Education
School Leadership Institute

SURN Aligned Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment Workshop

Designed by teachers for teachers, this two-day workshop focuses on the foundational topics that form the basis of sound teaching and learning. Over the two days, we’ll dive into curriculum, instruction, and assessment, all with an eye to strengthening solid Tier 1 instruction. Topics for the two days include: 

  • Understanding the need for alignment 
  • Unpacking standards 
  • Writing intended learning outcomes 
  • Using lesson structures 
  • Creating lesson plans 
  • Choosing instructional strategies and learning activities 
  • Grouping students 
  • Using formative assessment 

Goals: 

  • Deepen your foundational, conceptual understanding of curriculum, instruction, and assessment 
  • Acquire practical tools and skills for ensuring aligned, effective teaching and learning 

FACILITATOR

 Dr. Sarah Hylton

Sarah wanted to be a teacher from the time she was six years old and set up a school in her mother’s laundry room with her reluctant siblings as students and, when they finally rebelled, with a trusty group of stuffed animals. She is passionate about teaching and learning and considers it a joy and a privilege to work with and learn from other teachers.

Sarah earned her B.A., M.Ed., and Ph.D. from William & Mary and now serves as the Director for Professional Learning for the School-University Resource Network (SURN) at William & Mary. She also teaches undergraduate, masters, and doctoral courses on curriculum and curriculum theory as adjunct faculty at William & Mary School of Education. Sarah has researched, written about, and presented locally, nationally, and internationally on topics related to novice teachers and curriculum, instruction, & assessment. Prior to joining SURN, Sarah taught secondary English for 15 years and served as a department chair, team lead, mentor, curriculum developer, cooperating teacher, and university supervisor.

 

AUDIENCE

This workshop is designed for current K-12 teachers and is particularly ideal for early-career teachers and provisionally licensed teachers as well as for those interested in honing their own instructional leadership. We strongly encourage divisions to send a team of teachers who are accompanied by a school or division leader (principal, assistant principal, coach, or specialist) who can support participants’ transfer of learning into practice.  

INFORMATION

  • October 1 & October 15
  • 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Check-in opens at 8:00 a.m. 
  • William & Mary School of Education

FEES

  • $400/person - SURN Division Member
  • $600/person - General (Non-SURN Division Member
  • Includes morning coffee, workshop, materials & lunch

Registration coming soon!

Please email surn@wm.edu with any dietary needs you have prior to October 17, 2026. After this date, we are not able to accommodate dietary requests.   

SURN is unable to provide a refund for this event. If a registered individual cannot attend, a substitute can be sent in their place. Please email surn@wm.edu with this change.  

Registration will close approximately one week in advance of this event or earlier, if the event reaches capacity. We will update this webpage when registration closes.  

For a full list of SURN Division Members, please visit SURN. If you're interested in your division joining SURN, please have your Superintendent or Superintendent's designee contact Amy Colley, SURN’s Executive Director, at accolley@wm.edu. 

Please email surn@wm.edu with questions about registration or this event.