Professional Learning Course

A Professional Learning Course is an opportunity to engage in multiple sessions focused on the same topic.

Within a Learning Course, you must commit to participating in all of the in-person sessions and all of the assigned self-paced and implementation activities that are part of the course.

Just as in a college course, a Professional Learning Course will have the opportunity to earn

College Credit

Professional Development Points for both relicensure and salary movement through the Individual Action Plan Process.

College Credit options and Professional Development Points options are outlined within each Professional Learning Course.

Belonging Builders- Fall 2026

Course Description:

The New Olathe Public Schools Belonging Builders course is designed for you to take steps in creating an academic achievement focused climate through cultural understanding, inclusive belonging, equity minded and supportive affirming environments.

Participants will learn the impactful ways to continue to build a sense of belonging within our district. Educators who will benefit from our course are all educators who are committed to creating a sense of belonging for all.

Educators will learn how through belonging, students will experience the sense of being accepted and respected through intentional policies, practices and systems that respect students' individuality, recognize their agency and affirm their ability to academically succeed.

Each participant will learn how to extend equal opportunities to succeed and belong to students and staff, regardless of their background. This course will bridge understanding between each individual and the key learning conditions for belonging within a school setting.

The course consists of four 2-hour sessions.

Course Level Learning Intentions:

Educators will learn how to create achievement focused environments where every student and staff member experiences belonging through culturally responsive, equity-minded, and affirming practices.
Session 1: Building Culture → Understanding Belonging and Self-Awareness
Session 2: Foster Belonging → Understanding Individuality, Inclusion, psychological safety and intercultural competence
Session 3: Belonging Challenges → Identifying and Removing Barriers to Belonging
Session 4: Belonging Builder Empowered → Sustaining change, building bridges, action planning, allyship, and long-term implementation
· Understanding Belonging & Academic Success- learn how a culture of belonging contributes to academic achievement, student engagement, and positive school experiences.
· Developing Cultural Understanding and Self-Awareness- learn how our own individuality, experiences, and perspectives shape the way we understand and interact with others.
· Building Intercultural Competence- learn how to respond to cultural differences and commonalities with greater understanding curiosity, and effectiveness
· Examining Individuality and School Experiences- learn how individuality influences students’ experiences of acceptance, inclusion, and belonging with the school environment
· Understanding the Conditions for Belonging-learn the key conditions that foster belonging for all members of the school community
· Exploring Structures of Belonging- learn how practices, policies, systems, and norms either promote or hinder belonging
· Recognizing Opportunity Structures for Belonging- learn how to create opportunities that ensure all students have access to meaningful participation, support, and success.
· Setting Goals to Strengthen Belonging- learn how to identify intercultural challenges and develop goals that strengthen belonging in our schools.

Course Dates:

Cohort #1- Fall 2026: Four sessions will be held from 4:30pm-6:30pm in the Instructional Resource Center, 14090 S. Black Bob Road, Olathe Kansas.

· Session 1: Thursday October 22, 2026

· Session 2: Thursday November 5, 2026

· Session 3: Thursday November 19, 2026

· Session 4: Thursday December 3, 2026

Click here to sign up today for our Fall 2026 Cohort.

Registration will be open for the first 40 participants and will close on Monday, October 19th. We look forward to you being a part of our first Belonging Builder cohort! Email Kathleen Smith, Director of Culture and Belonging, or call 913-780-7784 for more information.

College Credits or Points Available:

If you participate in this course you may earn up to 84 points through the Individual Action Plan Process.
- - Support will be provided on how to submit activities into Frontline for the Action Plan process.
Another option is to earn college credit through Mid-America Nazarene University.
- 4 Graduate Credits for $360.00
  - If you participate in this course and choose this option, enrollment information will be provided.

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