About the Upstate Schools Consortium
Established in 1986, the Upstate Schools Consortium is a collaborative network of school districts, independent schools, colleges, and universities committed to providing high-quality professional learning opportunities for educators throughout Upstate South Carolina. Beginning with the 2024–2025 school year, the Consortium has been coordinated through Furman’s Center for Innovative Leadership, continuing its long tradition of supporting educators through meaningful professional development.
- Anderson County School District 1
- Anderson County School District 2
- Anderson County School District 4
- Anderson County School District 5
- As-Sabeel Academy
- Cherokee County School Disrtict
- Christ Church Episcopal School
- Converse University
- East Link Academy School
- Furman University
- Greenville County School District
- Greenville Technical Charter High School
- Laurens County School District 55
- Laurens County School District 56
- North Greenville University
- Oconee County School District
- Pickens County School District
- South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind
- Spartanburg County School District 1
- Spartanburg County School District 2
- Spartanburg County School District 3
- Spartanburg County School District 4
- Spartanburg County School District 5
- Spartanburg County School District 6
- Spartanburg County School District 7
- St. Anne Catholic School
- USC-Upstate
Session Details
How Leadership Works: Understanding Visible Learning
9.17.26 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Presented by Dr. Cathy Lassiter, Corwin Learning Author and Visible Learning Consultant
During this engaging full-day workshop, Dr. Cathy Lassiter will guide participants through the foundations of Visible Learning and demonstrate how schools can move from isolated instructional practices to sustained, system-wide improvement. Drawing on research and examples from South Carolina schools, participants will explore how teacher clarity, evidence-informed decision making, and effective leadership practices work together to improve outcomes for both educators and students.
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Reading to Make a Difference: Classroom Strategies for Deeper Comprehension
10.28.26 | 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Presented by Dr. Katie Kelly, Professor of Education, Furman University
Reading is more than a foundational skill—it is a meaning-making process that empowers students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage with the world around them. Join Dr. Katie Kelly to explore research-based strategies that strengthen comprehension across content areas through background knowledge, vocabulary development, meaningful engagement, and responsive literacy instruction. Participants will leave with practical strategies that support diverse learners and foster confident, thoughtful, lifelong readers.
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Implementing High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM): A Two-Day Course
11.16.26 | 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Presented by the South Carolina Dept. of Education
High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) have the greatest impact when educators share a common understanding of their purpose and know how to implement them effectively. This complimentary two-day institute, led by the South Carolina Department of Education, provides educators and school leaders with practical tools and strategies to strengthen instructional planning, classroom implementation and student outcomes. Through collaborative learning and application, participants will deepen their understanding of HQIM principles and leave with actionable approaches for supporting teaching and learning within their schools and districts.
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Strategies for Supporting Multilingual Learners: Practical Approaches for K–12 Classrooms
2.3.27 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Presented by Valentina Gonzalez, Founder, Rooted Linguistics
This interactive professional learning equips K–12 educators with practical, research-based strategies to support multilingual learners in every classroom. With a focus on comprehensible input, maintaining grade-level rigor, and fostering active engagement, participants will explore instructional practices that naturally integrate language development into everyday lessons. Educators will experience modeled techniques firsthand, engage in collaborative practice, and leave with ready-to-implement strategies that make content more accessible while promoting academic language development. Designed for all educators—not just ESL specialists—this session empowers teachers to create language-rich learning experiences that benefit multilingual learners and all students.
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Leading in the Classroom: Communication, Feedback, and Everyday Leadership
March 2027 (Final Date and Time TBD)
Presented by Furman University’s Center for Innovative Leadership
Every educator is a leader—whether guiding students, collaborating with colleagues, facilitating professional learning, or contributing to school improvement efforts. In this interactive, in-person session, the Center for Innovative Leadership at Furman University will explore practical strategies for communication, meaningful feedback, and everyday leadership in schools. Participants will examine approaches for building trust, navigating challenging conversations, fostering collaboration, and creating learning environments where students and educators thrive. The specific presenter and session details are currently being finalized and will be updated as soon as they are confirmed.
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Whether you have questions about how your district can participate or you’d like more info about a specific session, we want to hear from you.
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