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Walk to Lead. Leadership Institute of Riverside County April 26, 2013. Lanelle Gordin, Ed.D ., LIRC Anu Menon , Principal, Mead Valley Elementary School, VVUSD. Whose idea was it?: Kenn Young.
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Walk to Lead Leadership Institute of Riverside County April 26, 2013 Lanelle Gordin, Ed.D., LIRC AnuMenon, Principal, Mead Valley Elementary School, VVUSD
Whose idea was it?: Kenn Young • % of students passing the EAP correlates highly with % of students earning Advanced on CSTs…not Proficient. • Proficient is not enough to prepare our students for college and career readiness. • What are schools with high %s of Advanced on CSTs doing differently? • Walk to Lead was born.
What is it? • A series of Learning Walks designed for Riverside County site administrators interested in visiting select county schools whose principalshave demonstrated effective leadership practicesthat foster increased and sustained student achievement.
Visit Focus • Leadership practices that have fostered effective instructional practice/improved student learning. • Collaborative efforts that have raised student achievement.
Goal • Visiting principals will leave with specific strategies, practices, and/or techniques that can be implemented school-wide or in identified classrooms to increase student achievement.
How were schools selected? • High % of students scoring at Advanced on CSTs—outliers.
Learning Focus • Dr. Griffin-Watson scheduled visits based on openness and availability. • As Dr. Griffin-Watson spoke to each principal, the practice that seemed to stand out the most was chosen as the Learning Focus for the upcoming visit. • Cielo Vista—PLC • Mead Valley—Lesson Design • Van Buren—Delivery of Instruction
Before the Walk • LIRC and host principal identify the Learning Focus and which classrooms will be visited. • Host principal holds pre-walk discussion to set the context. • Host principal guides discussion to highlight evidence needed to support the Learning Focus
During the Walk • Visiting principals observe strategies/techniques related to the Learning Focus • Host principal and visiting principals have 3-minute discussions after visiting specific classroom or observing a specific practice • Visiting principals engage in self-reflection.
After the Walk • Team assembles • Visiting principals work in small groups to share observations/evidence and reflect • Visiting principals participate in collegial discussion regarding next steps at their sites.
Summary of Observation Findings • Instructional leadership—high quality instruction in every classroom every day—the top priority. • Compelling vision—exhibiting and communicating a crystal clear sense of direction for the school and for students. • Collaborative culture focused on the use of data to drive instruction. • Targeted intervention and extended learning opportunities provide instructional support. • No Excuses for creating a culture of high expectations for student learning. • Adults and students are held accountable. • Personal reflection on leadership practices. • A belief that all students can learn and that the adults in the school must ensure that it happens.
Principal Profile • Instructional leader • Data driven • Lead the collaborative process • Remain current in the field • Champion students…ALL of them • Reflective • Engaging personality
AnuMenon • Mead Valley Elementary School, VVUSD
How did the schools overcome barriers? • What were the keys to success from the very beginning? • Laser-like focus on the goal. • Using data and holding teachers accountable and providing feedback.
How did they build momentum? • Staying the course! • Celebrating even small wins (related to goals) • Teams • Teachers • Students • Whole school
How are they addressing the transition to CCSS? • Cielo Vista has contracted with a company from San Diego to help them. • Evidence of high level questioning in classrooms • Project based learning being planned in grade levels • Evidence of CCSS terminology in classrooms • Other schools are following their district guidelines.
What are their next steps? • Transition to CCSS while staying the course on the successful practices they have implemented. • Remain lazer-focused.
Walk to Lead Next Steps • Research and compile a list of secondary outlier schools both in and outside of our county. • Visit. • Begin a conversation with key leaders regarding effective processes to hire new principals. • Begin a dialogue on the intentional support (coaching/mentoring) of principals in our county. • Integrate Walk to Lead with Principal Networks.