Elevate K-12’s Post

Brilliant day discussing diversity in the curriculum and the power of stories with the staff at St Paul’s Juniors today. It struck me that all that needs to happen for the curriculum to be consciously crafted and equitable is for staff to care about knowledge, how it is constructed and how we choose to present it to students. By asking questions about our own education, we can start to unpick the exclusion, the power systems, and the bias that becomes ingrained. This is a crucial step in creating a more inclusive and equitable learning environment. Kudos to the staff at St Paul's Juniors for taking this important step towards a more equitable curriculum. Let's keep the conversation going and continue to work towards a more just and inclusive future for all learners. #diversityandinclusion #educationequity #inclusivitymatters

This morning, I was honored to attend the White House's Every Day Counts Summit focused on addressing chronic absenteeism and increasing student engagement. Today's conversation underscores the critical role that attendance plays in student success and educational outcomes, and I was glad to hear the administration's commitment to increasing attendance and a showcase of practices that schools and communities can use to support students. Chronic absenteeism is often a symptom of larger problems, and leaders should focus interventions on: 1. Improved reporting of real-time absenteeism data, allowing school, district, and business leaders to understand the scale of their community's attendance problem 2. Increasing clear, effective communication to students and families, emphasizing the importance of being at school and creating a culture of attendance 3. Making learning more relevant to students' interests, especially through career-connected learning Business leaders have an important role to play in emphasizing the importance of attendance - without being in school, students won't learn the critical academic and durable skills they need to succeed in the workforce and society. By partnering with school and district leaders, we can create robust support systems to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive and that #EveryDayCounts! #ChronicAbsenteeism #K12Education

I just wrapped up a 12-day road trip, presenting, coaching, and training in districts from the West Coast to the East Coast.  This journey left me with three powerful insights that I want to share: 1. Life is too short not to stop and appreciate the gift we have to support children.  In the hustle and bustle of our daily work, it's easy to lose sight of the impact we’re making. But every now and then, we need to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate the incredible opportunity we have to shape young lives. 2. Public service is a calling.  The dedication I witnessed across districts reaffirmed that working in public education isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. The commitment to serve and uplift our communities is what drives meaningful change. 3. Public education needs to pour into ALL staff to move the needle. For us to truly make a difference, we must invest in every single member of our educational teams. It’s not just about supporting teachers but recognizing that everyone, from administrators to support staff, plays a critical role in student success. These lessons have only deepened my passion for the work we do. Here’s to continuing to support and empower those who dedicate their lives to public service and education. 🌟 #Education #PublicService #Empowerment #Community #ProfessionalDevelopment #SupportStaff #StudentSuccess #K12Education

I was fortunate to connect with Prof. Andy Hargreaves recently to discuss and share pragmatic ideas and insights on the crucial role of professional capital in education and how a systemic approach to teacher growth and development is paramount for the ongoing success of the best schools in the world. Professional learning experiences are tailored to individual needs to foster human, social, and decisional capital among educators. Emphasizing personalization, collaboration, and reflective practice, these experiences lead to improved student outcomes, higher teacher satisfaction, and increased adaptability. Invest in the future of education by exploring Hargreaves' research and embracing thoughtful professional development. #EducationExcellence #ProfessionalCapital #AndyHargreavesResearch

Professional development goes beyond teaching new skills to educators; it’s about creating a positive and engaging learning environment where teachers and young learners can succeed. When teachers continually improve, they bring fresh perspectives and innovative strategies into the classroom, benefiting young learners and the entire school. Frog Street supports your school’s commitment to continuous improvement through meaningful professional development opportunities. By investing in your teachers, you’re investing in the future of your young learners. How do you support continuous improvement in your school? Let’s discuss this in the comments! #TeacherTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment #EarlyChildhoodEducation #FrogStreet #EducationalInnovation #JoyfulLearning

📣 ALAS Education Summit Session Alert: Recruitment and retention continues to be a challenge for many districts. This session “Real Solutions for Addressing the Educator Shortage” will highlight how Denver Public Schools is addressing their staffing shortages through a variety of initiatives such as its International Educator Institute, Grow Your Own programs, alternative licensure program, and its Community Hubs for workforce development. https://lnkd.in/gRjEvX5h #EdLeadership

We must empower teachers and students to become changemakers that value and honor the interconnectedness of our way of life and life on this planet. Compass Education offers a broad selection of professional development opportunities that are crafted to meet your needs: compasseducation.org #SustainabilityEducation #SystemsThinking #EducationMatters #SystemChange #SustainableSchools #StudentAgency #YouthAgency #TransformingEducation

It's #AttendanceAwarenessMonth and at #JWBPinellas, we're dedicated to fostering an educational environment where every child thrives, and that starts with being present in school. 🌟 Taking Action for Success: Engaging students and families is essential for addressing the absenteeism, enrollment declines, and educational inequities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. 💡 Reducing Dropouts: Did you know that students chronically absent in 6th grade tend to have lower achievement than their peers? And high school students with chronic absenteeism are 7.4 times more likely to drop out? 🤝 Quality Mentoring Matters: Quality mentoring enhances attendance and academic achievement. By offering guidance, support, and a positive role model, we can create an environment where students feel inspired to show up and thrive. Learn more about how to support your child's success in school at https://lnkd.in/egkmc-x #AttendanceMatters #StudentSuccess #MentoringMatters

This newsletter is the highlight of my week!

#SchoolBoardAppreciationMonth Serving students 📚 requires the expertise 🧠 and compassion ❤️ of many people with many forms of expertise, but in this month, let’s take the opportunity to express gratitude 🙏 to our school board members 🏫. They are a vital link 🔗 between the local community 🏡 and the school district 🏢. Each week this month, we look forward to highlighting each of our board members! 🌟 An effective school board models collaboration 👥, operates within the domain boards were created for 📜, and does so with ever-growing professionalism 🌟 and expertise 🧠. The board’s domain 📚, or primary functions, are to provide visionary leadership 🌠, effective governance 📊, and strategic advocacy 📣 on behalf of their local districts 🏘️ and K-12 education 🎓 as a whole. While doing so, they should remain committed to educational equity 📚, student achievement 🎉, and community engagement 🤝. In fact, studies 📈 have shown a correlation between a school board’s performance 🏆 and its students’ achievement levels 📊. Learn more at ysd7.org/board. 📖💻