Imagine the opportunity to invest in 2 1/2 years of thoughtful and stimulating interaction and learning with colleagues from around the nation and beyond. In 2010, Karla McAdam was the winner of a competitive Learning Forward Foundation scholarship that allowed her to do just that. McAdam, then a district resource reading specialist for Decatur (Ill.) Public Schools, was the recipient of one of two Chidley Scholarships awarded each year--one given to a school-based educator and one to an educator at the district level--as well as the Hochman Scholarship, which provides tuition for Learning Forward Academy, Learning Forward's multiyear learning experience. This article highlights the impact of the Academy on McAdam, and her subsequent influence on the principals, teachers, and students in her district.