National Partnership for Student Success’ Post

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

Tonight the series starts about Highlands Community Charter School. I have not been involved with the organization in any shape or form for half a decade, but it doesn't surprise me to see these accusations. And I'm interviewed also; although I only could speak to the founding of the school, as that is what I have had first hand knowledge of. The big question is: Will this lead to a positive outcome, where the organization improves and is able to accomplish its mission? Or will accountability again be ducked? Or my biggest fear, will the knee jerk desire for "accountability" close down the school, that does so much good. I will help any way I can to have the positive outcome, not the bad. https://lnkd.in/gXuHEx9P

Hello dear educators. Here is a post about my sixth key point in ethical school leadership - promoting parental and community engagement Unlocking the Power of Partnerships: Strengthening School-Community Connections As school leaders, we know that the success of our students is not just about what happens within the four walls of our classrooms. It's about the rich tapestry of support, resources, and expertise that we can weave together from our broader community. Cultivating strong partnerships with parents, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other community stakeholders is essential for creating thriving, well-rounded schools. When we leverage the collective knowledge and capabilities of our community, we unlock new pathways for student learning, well-being, and overall school improvement. Here are some key ways we can promote meaningful parental and community engagement: 1. Parent Advisory Councils: Establish an active parent advisory council that gives families a voice in school decision-making. Regularly solicit their input and feedback on critical issues. 2. Volunteer Programs: Develop robust volunteer programs that welcome parents and community members to share their skills and talents in the classroom, on field trips, and at school events. 3. Community Partnerships: Forge collaborative relationships with local businesses, nonprofits, universities, and other organizations. Invite them to contribute their expertise, resources, and unique perspectives. 4. Family Engagement Events: Host engaging, inclusive family events that bring the school community together. These can include academic workshops, cultural celebrations, social gatherings, and more. 5. Communication and Transparency: Maintain open, transparent, and responsive communication with families and community stakeholders. Provide regular updates on school initiatives, student progress, and opportunities for involvement. 6. Shared Decision-Making: Ensure parents and community members have a meaningful role in shaping the school's vision, policies, and improvement plans. Actively solicit their input and feedback. When we elevate the role of parents and the broader community, we create a powerful synergy that benefits our students in countless ways. Stronger social-emotional support, enhanced learning opportunities, increased resources, and a heightened sense of belonging - these are just a few of the dividends we reap. As school leaders, let's renew our commitment to fostering these vital partnerships. By working hand-in-hand with our families and community, we can transform our schools into vibrant hubs of learning, growth, and belonging. #EducationLeadership #CommunityEngagement #FamilyInvolvement

As a lifelong Chicagoan, a proud product of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and someone who has dedicated my career to serving CPS students and alumni, I am deeply disappointed by the recent headlines surrounding CPS. . There are real issues we can all be spending our energy trying to address. With COVID-19 relief funds sunsetting, many families are already losing vital after school programs, students will lose access to tutoring and intervention supports, and educators will face the challenge of maintaining student growth with fewer resources. This comes on top of an existing structural deficit, declining enrollment, crumbling infrastructure, and the many institutional and societal challenges that prevent our communities from succeeding. Now, more than ever, CPS needs objective, student-centered, and level-headed leadership—not less. I hope we can realize that putting students first serves us all in the long run. All the data I’m looking at indicates that CPS CEO Pedro Martinez is continuing to build on the significant progress already made. Yet, there’s still so much more to do, and CEO Martinez has earned the chance to continue doing the work. . It’s been inspiring to learn CEO Martinez’s story. It’s not lost on me that he had some great CPS educators pouring into him, giving him every opportunity to succeed, and assuring him that he was capable of achieving anything he set his mind and heart to. However, it's a shame that support and belief often seems to waver when making necessary changes that challenge the status quo and genuinely prioritize students' needs. . Good luck CEO Martinez! You're a class act. . https://lnkd.in/gxKngcH2 . #cps #chicagopublicschools #chicago #stopthesmear #studentcenteredleadership #pedromartinez #cpsceo #cpsnews #schoolleadership #cpsaccountability #dotherightthing #pilsen

🌟 Celebrating our First Cohort of the Liberated Educators Collaborative  🌟 As we reflect on the remarkable journey of our inaugural Liberated Educators Collaborative, we are filled with immense gratitude for the 20 visionary educators from across the country who embarked on this transformative experience with us. In every session, from discussing the creation of liberatory learning spaces to exploring the dynamics of power in the classroom, our focus has been clear: to center student voice, identity and belonging in every classroom. This cohort has been a space of growth, sharing, and innovation, where educators have built community, exchanged best practices, and collaboratively reimagined the essence of learning spaces where every student feels seen, heard, and valued. Together, we've delved into the heart of what it means to be student-centered and equity-focused, tackling the nuances of today’s educational landscape with courage and creativity. Our gratitude extends beyond words to each educator in this cohort of the collaborative. Your dedication to amplifying student voices and championing racial justice is the beacon that guides us toward a more liberated future in education. Stay tuned as we share stories of impact, innovation, and inspiration from our journey, and discover how these dedicated educators are reshaping the educational experience for each of their students. Looking for professional development that elevates student voice, identity, and belonging? Partner with us to bring this transformative experience to your school. Schedule a discovery call today: bit.ly/49RxwQM Abena Ntoso Ashley Nickens Bianca Harrison Connor Showalter Dahlia Quintanilla Deniqua Donaldson Eric Mendoza Joseph F. Juan Pablo Esquivel Kaedi Bowers Kristin Parry Nickia Sampson Rebecca Karlstad Seretta Davis Tracy D. Brown, Ed.D Candidate in Educational Leadership Tyeshia Johnson Valerie Watkins Schmidt Dr. Zalika H. Etienne Jennifer Roberts Shayla Moore   #StudentVoice #EducationalEquity #ProfessionalDevelopment #LiberatoryEducation #EmpoweredEducators #InclusiveTeaching #TransformativeLearning  #StudentVoice #RacialJustice #InnovativeTeaching #TeacherCohort

Gone are the days when passive listening in crowded lecture halls was the gold standard of education. Today, let's champion the hands-on approach! Benefits of Practical Learning: 1. Engagement: Students are more engaged when they can directly apply their knowledge. Watching their ideas come to life not only boosts their interest but also their confidence. 2. Retention: Hands-on activities help students better retain information by creating a real-world connection to what they're learning. 3. Skill Acquisition: Practical learning equips students with essential skills that are highly valued in the workplace, bridging the gap between academia and real-world applications. 4. Creativity and Problem-Solving: Practical projects often require creative solutions, fostering critical thinking and innovation. The video below showcases the excitement and satisfaction that students experience when they build, create, and problem-solve rather than passively consume information. It's not just about preparing them for a job; it's about preparing them for life. I'd love to hear from you! 🎤 How have you incorporated practical learning into your classrooms? What changes have you noticed in your students' learning and engagement? #EducationInnovation #PracticalLearning #EngagingEducation #FutureReady NYC Department of Education NYC Mayor's Office of Contract Services NYC Department of Youth & Community Development Good Shepherd Services Partnership with Children Children's Aid The Y (YMCA) Harlem Children's Zone After-School All-Stars After-School All-Stars New Jersey Boys & Girls Clubs of America After-School All-Stars Ohio Los Angeles Unified School District Jonathan Holub Anna Lindwasser Lucian Li Muhammad MuBarak Cleon Doan Noah Vincelette, MBA Tekesha Hanson Jean-Pierre La Cour Catherine Massa Kory Burrell Sophia Rigg Elijah Milien Adrian Butler YWCA of the City of New York Children's Aid BronxWorks

On point, Jennifer Mock, Adult Education programs have always been around serving adult learners returning to school for their most basic educational needs in order to obtain employment with sustainable wages. As adult learners, they come with very different challenges and needs than traditional students. It takes a different approach. Now that community colleges are seeing a decline in traditional college students, the increase of adult learners has gotten a lot of attention. Want meaningful dialog about #adultlearners, invite your #AdultEducation (College and Career Readiness) professionals to the table. Investment in #adultbasiceducation is an investment in our communities, our economy, our futures.

Recently, my amazing 9 year old friend, Nel, asked the question, “Have people forgotten what the purpose of school is?”  It brought tears to my eyes, partly because of all the work I’ve done around purpose in education, and it being one of personal top values, but mostly because it’s such a spot on question that no learner should have to ask.  For over a year, I was fortunate to collaborate with Julie Meltzer and Jennifer Chace on a series of conversations around questions of purpose that tied in work we were all involved in, and especially linking to Solutionary Mindsets as set forth by Zoe Weil. There is such disparity between what we say we want from this business of human development and what many schools focus on.  In my efforts these days, working with the Institute for Humane Education and doing mission alignment work for schools and organizations stand out as highlights, as does my work with the Hawaii Center for Youth Philanthropy.  My question to you: What is the purpose of school?  I’d love to see your answers here (and not just the aspirational, but also the ugly.  For the ambitious: how do you ensure your purpose is in focus daily? Nel’s answer?  “Teaching kids learning, having fun, and making friends.”  She elaborated that having fun = playing outside and doing things, learning = classroom stuff (reading, math, etc) and especially learning from mistakes, and making friends = “why I want to go to school.”  Leigh Fitzgerald Andrew O'Riordan Dr. Kapono Ciotti #individualizedrealized #purpose #solutionary #whatschoolcouldbe

The time is approaching for NC Pre-K and Durham Pre-K teachers to participate in their annual professional development training. I will lead concurrent workshops titled, “What time is it? Time for early childhood educators to cultivate and nurture the voice of agency for young children.” The presentation will take a deep dive into the critical need for early childhood educators to be culturally component making connections with children’s micro- and mesosystems through the facilitation of activities in the learning environment. Attendees will make connections between race, culture, and learning experiences are essential components to cultivate and nurture the voice of agency for young children through hands-on activities.   Knowledge is powerful towards being an agent of social justice change through ACTION. Increased knowledge brings increased responsibilities. #drbkw

From struggling to thriving: Adlai E. Stevenson Elementary's community-driven success story. Principal Tonya Hickman's leadership puts families first, sparking academic growth and trust. Challenges persist, but the commitment to community remains strong. #CommunitySchool #ParentEngagement #EducationSuccess #AdlaiStevenson #Education #edtech #EducationEquity #InclusiveEducation #NYCSchoolLeaders #NYCPrincipals #NYCEducators