We helped John F. Kennedy High School reach a 97% graduation rateLearn more

This two-day workshop centers on the belief that student self-efficacy is not only vital for academic success but that it is also a foundational element of every school’s efforts to develop the whole child. Fostering self-efficacy—the belief in one’s ability to succeed—is essential to enhancing students’ emotional resilience, motivation, and ownership of their learning.

Using student-centered versions of the four critical questions of learning in the Professional Learning Communities at Work® process as a framework, this workshop offers practical strategies for turning efficacy-building practices into everyday instructional routines that develop confident learners who are prepared to thrive. Whether you attend alone, as a job-alike team, as a vertical team, or as a school leader, you will leave with tools to help students set goals, assess their own learning, monitor their progress towards mastery, and respond to evidence of learning. More importantly, you will leave with the knowledge necessary to build your students’ belief in their capacity to grow as learners.

Participants will:

  • Explore the research-base behind hope and self-efficacy, understanding how they drive student motivation, ownership, and achievement.
  • Study the characteristics of classroom grading and feedback practices that can enhance a student’s desire to succeed.
  • Learn techniques for establishing a culture of learning and self-belief within their students.
  • Develop a plan to embed the mission, vision, values, and goals of their school community into students’ daily lives.
  • Unpack student-centered versions of the four critical questions of learning:
    • What is essential for me to know and be able to do?
    • How will I know if I am making progress toward mastery?
    • What steps should I take when I am struggling to master the essentials?
    • How can I extend my learning after I have mastered the essentials?
  • Leave with practical strategies to help students answer these questions throughout a unit of study.

Venue

Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls

700 Lindsey Blvd

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Learn from leading experts

William M. Ferriter

William M. Ferriter

William M. Ferriter

William M. Ferriter uses his 29 years of experience as a full-time classroom teacher to design professional development sessions for educators on topics ranging from establishing professional learning communities and effective systems of intervention to integrating meaningful differentiation, extension, and student-involved assessment opportunities into classroom instruction.

Schedule

Agenda and speakers are subject to change.

Download the detailed agenda

Wednesday, April 1st

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00–11:30 a.m.

Presentation

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Lunch (provided)

12:30–3:30 p.m. Presentation

Thursday, April 2nd

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00–11:30 a.m.

Presentation

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Lunch (provided)

12:30–3:30 p.m. Presentation

Accommodations

Events reach capacity quickly. Please confirm your registration before making travel plans.

While discounted rooms in our hotel room block may be sold out, the primary hotel may still have rooms available at their standard rates. Please inquire directly with the hotel.

Hotels

Primary Hotel

Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls

700 Lindsey Blvd
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
208.522.9500

Discounted Rate: $162 (single/double)
Deadline: March 8, 2026, or until group rate is sold out

Events reach capacity quickly. Please confirm your registration before making travel plans.

Parking information: Complimentary parking at Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls

In order to receive the discounted hotel room rate, please mention Solution Tree. After the deadline listed above, rates will be determined by the hotel.

Venue

Hilton Garden Inn Idaho Falls

700 Lindsey Blvd

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Event Reviews

“Everything was great and is useable for all levels.”

Gale Lopez, teacher, Medio Creek Elementary, San Antonio, Texas

More details

Additional Information

Product code: WSG389


Five Reasons to Attend a Solution Tree Event (PDF)
A Letter to Your Boss (DOC)

You will receive a certificate of participation 6 weeks after the event concludes. Please check with your state department of education for CEU availability.


Included with your registration

You Can Learn!

You Can Learn!

Great learning starts when students believe in their academic abilities. In You Can Learn!, authors Tim Brown and William M. Ferriter introduce intentional and purposeful steps collaborative teams can take to increase the self-efficacy of every learner. By incorporating the book's research-backed practices, professional learning communities will cultivate a culture where students at every grade level see themselves as competent learners fully capable of succeeding in school and beyond.

Event Journal

Event Journal

We’re enhancing your event experience. In addition to providing presentations in digital format, Solution Tree is publishing retail-quality, perfect-bound notebooks expertly designed to support your learning. Any printed handouts or worksheets integrated into your sessions will continue to be provided.

Contact Us.