Questions about Professional Learning That Works?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Whether you are exploring the book, considering ERG support for your school or district, or looking into the licensing pathway, these FAQs are here to help you find the clearest next step.
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Find answers about the Follow Me Forward™ model, ERG’s school support, licensing opportunities, resources, and next steps.
About the Model
What is the Follow Me Forward™ model?
Follow Me Forward™ is a practical model for Professional Learning That Works. It helps schools move beyond one-time professional development and create Collaborative Learning Loops where teachers learn beside teachers through observation, demonstration, reflection, feedback, and real classroom application.
The model is grounded in values, beliefs, and a Five-Phase process designed to support meaningful, sustainable change in schools.
Follow Me Forward™ is a practical model for Professional Learning That Works. It helps schools move beyond one-time professional development and create Collaborative Learning Loops where teachers learn beside teachers through observation, demonstration, reflection, feedback, and real classroom application.
The model is grounded in values, beliefs, and a Five-Phase process designed to support meaningful, sustainable change in schools.
What is the Five-Phase Model?
The Five-Phase Model is the process inside Follow Me Forward™ that helps schools create Collaborative Learning Loops for lasting change. Each phase supports the movement from preparation to classroom application, reflection, and continued growth.
The phases help schools create a culture for learning, build capacity with Host Teachers, support practice and reflection, immerse visitors in real classroom learning, and reset for the next loop of professional growth.
The Five-Phase Model is the process inside Follow Me Forward™ that helps schools create Collaborative Learning Loops for lasting change. Each phase supports the movement from preparation to classroom application, reflection, and continued growth.
The phases help schools create a culture for learning, build capacity with Host Teachers, support practice and reflection, immerse visitors in real classroom learning, and reset for the next loop of professional growth.
What is a Host Teacher?
A Host Teacher is an educator who opens their classroom as a space for collaborative, job-embedded professional learning. In the Follow Me Forward™ model, Host Teachers are supported before inviting others into their classroom, so the experience feels intentional, purposeful, and grounded in real practice.
Host Teachers are not expected to be perfect or perform a lesson. Instead, they help create opportunities for teachers to learn beside teachers through observation, reflection, conversation, and meaningful classroom application.
A Host Teacher is an educator who opens their classroom as a space for collaborative, job-embedded professional learning. In the Follow Me Forward™ model, Host Teachers are supported before inviting others into their classroom, so the experience feels intentional, purposeful, and grounded in real practice.
Host Teachers are not expected to be perfect or perform a lesson. Instead, they help create opportunities for teachers to learn beside teachers through observation, reflection, conversation, and meaningful classroom application.
What are Collaborative Learning Loops?
Collaborative Learning Loops are cycles of learning, practice, reflection, feedback, and reset. They help teachers move from simply hearing about new ideas to seeing, practicing, and refining those ideas in real classrooms.
Collaborative Learning Loops are cycles of learning, practice, reflection, feedback, and reset.
They help teachers move from simply hearing about new ideas to seeing, practicing, and refining those ideas in real classrooms.
How is ERG different from traditional professional development?
Traditional professional development often introduces information and then leaves teachers to implement it on their own. ERG’s approach is different because it is designed around implementation, collaboration, and support over time.
Instead of one-time PD, ERG helps schools build Professional Learning That Works through job-embedded support, Collaborative Learning Loops, and teachers learning beside teachers in real classrooms.
Traditional professional development often introduces information and then leaves teachers to implement it on their own. ERG’s approach is different because it is designed around implementation, collaboration, and support over time.
Instead of one-time PD, ERG helps schools build Professional Learning That Works through job-embedded support, Collaborative Learning Loops, and teachers learning beside teachers in real classrooms.
Is Follow Me Forward™ only a book?
No. Follow Me Forward™ is both a book and a professional learning model. The book introduces the values, beliefs, Five-Phase Model, and Collaborative Learning Loops behind the work.
Schools can begin by reading the book, then partner with ERG to bring the model to life through consulting, coaching, implementation support, keynotes, school partnerships, or collaborator partnerships.
No. Follow Me Forward™ is both a book and a professional learning model. The book introduces the values, beliefs, Five-Phase Model, and Collaborative Learning Loops behind the work.
Schools can begin by reading the book, then partner with ERG to bring the model to life through consulting, coaching, implementation support, keynotes, school partnerships, or collaborator partnerships.
Our Work With Schools
What does “Our Work” mean?
Our Work refers to the ways schools and districts can partner with ERG. This includes consulting, job-embedded coaching, implementation support, educational keynotes, school partnerships, and collaborator partnerships.
It does not refer to employment opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a Licensed Follow Me Forward™ Facilitator, visit the Licensing page.
Our Work refers to the ways schools and districts can partner with ERG. This includes consulting, job-embedded coaching, implementation support, educational keynotes, school partnerships, and collaborator partnerships.
It does not refer to employment opportunities. If you are interested in becoming a Licensed Follow Me Forward™ Facilitator, visit the Licensing page.
What kinds of schools or districts does ERG work with?
ERG partners with schools and districts that are ready to re-think professional learning and move beyond one-time professional development solutions.
This may include schools looking for support with teacher growth, instructional alignment, implementation of new initiatives, leadership development, job-embedded coaching, or long-term professional learning systems.
ERG partners with schools and districts that are ready to re-think professional learning and move beyond one-time professional development solutions.
This may include schools looking for support with teacher growth, instructional alignment, implementation of new initiatives, leadership development, job-embedded coaching, or long-term professional learning systems.
What kinds of services does ERG provide?
ERG provides support through:
consulting
job-embedded coaching
implementation support
educational keynotes
school partnerships
collaborator partnerships
Each partnership is shaped around the school or district’s goals, needs, and context.
ERG provides support through:
consulting
job-embedded coaching
implementation support
educational keynotes
school partnerships
collaborator partnerships
Each partnership is shaped around the school or district’s goals, needs, and context.
Does ERG offer keynotes?
Yes. ERG offers educational keynotes and professional learning sessions designed to help educators and leaders re-think professional learning.
Keynotes may introduce ideas from Follow Me Forward™, Professional Learning That Works, Collaborative Learning Loops, implementation, teacher growth, leadership, or other topics connected to a school or district’s goals.
Yes. ERG offers educational keynotes and professional learning sessions designed to help educators and leaders re-think professional learning.
Keynotes may introduce ideas from Follow Me Forward™, Professional Learning That Works, Collaborative Learning Loops, implementation, teacher growth, leadership, or other topics connected to a school or district’s goals.
What are collaborative relationships?
Collaborator relationships connect schools and districts with trusted educational leaders, authors, and frameworks through ERG’s support.
These partnerships may include specialized learning connected to collaborators such as Laney Sammons, Sue Brookhart, and Debbie Miller, along with ERG support to help schools move from introduction to implementation.
Collaborator relationships connect schools and districts with trusted educational leaders, authors, and frameworks through ERG’s support.
These partnerships may include specialized learning connected to collaborators such as Laney Sammons, Sue Brookhart, and Debbie Miller, along with ERG support to help schools move from introduction to implementation.
Can ERG customize support for our school or district?
Yes. ERG’s work is designed to meet the needs of each school or district. Support can be customized around your goals, timeline, instructional focus, leadership needs, and professional learning priorities.
If you are not sure exactly what you need, ERG can help you clarify the best next step through an initial conversation.
Yes. ERG’s work is designed to meet the needs of each school or district. Support can be customized around your goals, timeline, instructional focus, leadership needs, and professional learning priorities.
If you are not sure exactly what you need, ERG can help you clarify the best next step through an initial conversation.
How do we know if ERG is the right fit for us?
ERG is often the right fit for schools and districts that are:
looking for more than a one-time training
wanting support that is practical and sustainable
seeking stronger implementation, not just exposure to new ideas
and ready to build learning that actually leads to change
A consultation is the best way to explore whether there is alignment.
ERG is often the right fit for schools and districts that are:
looking for more than a one-time training
wanting support that is practical and sustainable
seeking stronger implementation, not just exposure to new ideas
and ready to build learning that actually leads to change
A consultation is the best way to explore whether there is alignment.
Logistics
Does ERG offer free consultations?
Yes. ERG offers an initial consultation to learn more about your school or district’s needs and determine what type of support may be the best fit.
This conversation helps clarify your goals, current challenges, and possible next steps before a partnership is proposed.
Yes. ERG offers an initial consultation to learn more about your school or district’s needs and determine what type of support may be the best fit.
This conversation helps clarify your goals, current challenges, and possible next steps before a partnership is proposed.
How much do ERG’s services cost?
ERG services vary based on the type of support, number of days or visits, number of educators involved, travel needs, and the overall scope of the project.
Because each partnership is customized, the best way to learn more about pricing is to contact ERG for a consultation.
ERG services vary based on the type of support, number of days or visits, number of educators involved, travel needs, and the overall scope of the project.
Because each partnership is customized, the best way to learn more about pricing is to contact ERG for a consultation.
When should we contact ERG?
As soon as possible. ERG accepts projects throughout the academic year, but calendars can fill months in advance.
For larger partnerships, spring and summer are ideal times to plan support for the upcoming school year. Smaller projects, keynotes, or targeted support may be available throughout the year depending on scheduling.
As soon as possible. ERG accepts projects throughout the academic year, but calendars can fill months in advance.
For larger partnerships, spring and summer are ideal times to plan support for the upcoming school year. Smaller projects, keynotes, or targeted support may be available throughout the year depending on scheduling.
Does ERG only work in North Carolina?
No. While ERG is based in North Carolina, the team supports schools and districts in a variety of locations. Availability may depend on project scope, travel, scheduling, and the type of support needed.
No. While ERG is based in North Carolina, the team supports schools and districts in a variety of locations. Availability may depend on project scope, travel, scheduling, and the type of support needed.
How do we get started?
The best first step is to reach out through the contact form. Share a little about your school or district, what you are hoping to support, and any timeline you have in mind.
From there, ERG can help you determine whether consulting, coaching, implementation support, a keynote, a school partnership, or another option is the best fit.
The best first step is to reach out through the contact form. Share a little about your school or district, what you are hoping to support, and any timeline you have in mind.
From there, ERG can help you determine whether consulting, coaching, implementation support, a keynote, a school partnership, or another option is the best fit.
Team & Licensing
Who does ERG work with directly?
ERG works directly with school and district leaders, teachers, instructional coaches, curriculum leaders, and other educators involved in professional learning and implementation.
The type of support depends on the goals of the partnership.
ERG works directly with school and district leaders, teachers, instructional coaches, curriculum leaders, and other educators involved in professional learning and implementation.
The type of support depends on the goals of the partnership.
Do Hope and Alice still work directly with clients?
Hope Reagan and Alice Oakley continue to guide ERG’s work and support select projects doing ongoing research and development with the FMF model. ERG also works with a team of experienced consultants who bring expertise across teaching, literacy, math, leadership, coaching, curriculum, and implementation.
Hope Reagan and Alice Oakley continue to guide ERG’s work and support select projects doing ongoing research and development with the FMF model.
ERG also works with a team of experienced consultants who bring expertise across teaching, literacy, math, leadership, coaching, curriculum, and implementation.
How many people are part of ERG?
ERG includes Hope Reagan, Alice Oakley, and a team of consultants who support schools and districts through ERG projects. The team brings experience across grade levels, content areas, leadership roles, and professional learning contexts.
ERG includes Hope Reagan, Alice Oakley, and a team of consultants who support schools and districts through ERG projects.
The team brings experience across grade levels, content areas, leadership roles, and professional learning contexts.
How can I become a Licensed Follow Me Forward™ Facilitator?
Educators interested in facilitating the Follow Me Forward™ model can learn more on the Licensing page.
The licensing pathway is designed for experienced educators and instructional leaders who have read and deeply understand Follow Me Forward™, believe in Professional Learning That Works, and are ready to support meaningful change in schools.
Educators interested in facilitating the Follow Me Forward™ model can learn more on the Licensing page.
The licensing pathway is designed for experienced educators and instructional leaders who have read and deeply understand Follow Me Forward™, believe in Professional Learning That Works, and are ready to support meaningful change in schools.
Book & Resources
Where can I buy Follow Me Forward™?
You can purchase Follow Me Forward™ through the Follow Me Forward page on this website.
The book is a helpful starting point for educators and leaders who want to re-think professional learning and better understand the model behind ERG’s work.
To purchase Follow Me Forward™
click here.
The book is a helpful starting point for educators and leaders who want to re-think professional learning and better understand the model behind ERG’s work.
What free resources are available?
ERG offers free downloadable resources designed to support classroom practice, student thinking, reflection, and meaningful implementation.
These resources are a helpful starting point for educators and leaders who want practical tools connected to the real work of teaching and learning.
ERG offers free downloadable resources designed to support classroom practice, student thinking, reflection, and meaningful implementation.
These resources are a helpful starting point for educators and leaders who want practical tools connected to the real work of teaching and learning.
Do I need to read the book before working with ERG?
No, but it can be a helpful foundation. Follow Me Forward™ introduces the values, beliefs, Five-Phase Model, and Collaborative Learning Loops that guide ERG’s work.
If your school or district is interested in partnering with ERG, the team can help you determine the best starting point.
No, but it can be a helpful foundation. Follow Me Forward™ introduces the values, beliefs, Five-Phase Model, and Collaborative Learning Loops that guide ERG’s work.
If your school or district is interested in partnering with ERG, the team can help you determine the best starting point.
Still have questions?
We’d love to help you find the right next step —
whether you are exploring the book, resources, school support, or the Follow Me Forward™ licensing pathway.
We’d love to help you find the right next step — whether you are exploring the book, resources, school support, or the Follow Me Forward™ licensing pathway.
