EDL 959: Module 1

EDL 959: Module 1

How Does Leadership Impact Academic, Non-academic Activities and Barriers?

Jarrod Taylor

Personal Demographics

• Married to Michelle for 27 years. Michelle is a CPA and we reside in Wamego, KS
• 4 children: Julia (23), Jordan(20), Joslyn (Junior), and Jace (Sophomore)
• I’m a Middle School ELA instructor for USD 330, Mission Valley.
• Serve on BLT, Community Outreach Committee, Site Council, & Interview Committee.
• Graduated from Kansas State University in 1997
• Taught for 4 years and took a 15 year sabbatical.
• Returned to teaching in 2018
• Musician and avid fisherman
• Recently started metal detecting as a hobby

School Demographics

• Mission Valley USD 330
• K-12 building (2A)
• Serves Dover, Harveyville, and Eskridge
• 110 out-of-district transfers (K-12)
• 10 miles from any town in district
• New CTE building, Sports Complex, Science labs

RESOURCE SUMMARY

Section 1:

The Importance of Curriculum

Curriculum & Planning

• Alignment in curriculum and instruction is ideal (Glenn, 2018)
• Rigourous and aligned to high standards (Stack, 2023)
• Input from all stakeholders (Glenn, 2018)

• Empower classroom teachers in curriculum planning (Stack, 2023)
• Provide collaborative, content-focused, reflective PD (Stack, 2023)
• Adjust when necessary; Monitor progress frequently (Glenn, 2018)

"An evidenced-based curriculum acts as a road map for teachers and students to follow on the path to academic success (Glenn, 2018)."

"Ensuring a curriculum is coherent within and across grades is essential (Stack, 2023)."

RESOURCE SUMMARY

Section 2:

Technology in Curriculum

Realizing the promise: How can education technology improve learning for all?

• Technology use should complement the work of educators
• Scaling up quality instruction
• Facilitating differentiated instruction
• Expanding opportunities to practice
• Increasing learner engagement
• Communicate with a range of stakeholders
• Define clear objectives and goals for student learning

"No individual educator—no matter how talented—can be expected to provide individualized instruction to all learners in his/her class simultaneously (Ganimian et al., 2023)."

(Ganimian et al., 2023)

RESOURCE SUMMARY

Section 3:

The Principal & Curriculum

Breaking barriers: District and school administrators engaging family, and community as a key determinant of student success.

• Commit to focusing on non-academic barriers and student well being

• Parent engagement opportunities, communication and the promotion of healthy nutrition and exercise
• Partnerships between school and community are vital

"Quite simply, needs can only be met when we engage student and family perspectives, and voices, and respond with support (Beard & Thomson, 2021)."

(Beard & Thomson, 2021)

Principals' perceptions of their roles as curriculum leaders: Comparison of high, middle, and elementary schools.

• Students' needs are a top priority in all three levels

• Elementary/Middle School:
• Horizontal & Vertical alignment
• Grade-level teams-Elementary
• Community involvement
• High School:
• Graduation requirements
• Department approach- HS/Middle School

"...effective leadership style is task-relevant, and successful leaders are those who adapt their leadership style to the readiness of the individual or group they are serving. (Chan, 2022)."

(Chan, 2022)

Elementary Principals' Knowledge and Practices of Literacy Instruction: Impact on Teachers' Perceptions and Actions Related to Reading Instruction

• Principals must be knowledgeable, instructional leaders
• Principal's perception can greatly affect teacher practice & student learning
• Be a transformational leader; Inspire others

"Principal instructional leadership may have a significant effect on literacy instructional practices and student achievement (Harvey, 2022)."

(Harvey, 2022)

The importance of principals

• Effective instructional leaders have expertise in high-quality instruction
• Provide effective, structured feedback to teachers.

• Build trust and relationships with all stakeholders

"Effective principals work to establish a culture of learning in which they work with teachers to create a shared sense of responsibility for student learning. (Hobbs, 2022)."

(Hobbs, 2022)

Climate Change in Common Core Policy Context: The Shifting Role of Attitudes and Beliefs

• Principal as "Keeper of the Innovative Culture"
• Personal beliefs have a direct influence on reform
• Collaboration improves student and teacher learning
• Teacher-Principal trust impacted belief in CCSS over time
• Informal and formal social interactions; Trust building
• Creating an Innovative Culture takes time

(Liou et al., 2021)

"...teachers who trust their principal are more committed to schoolwide reform initiatives, and principals who trust their teachers are more likely to engender greater faculty trust and support enhanced student outcomes (Liou et al., 2021)."

RESOURCE SUMMARY

Section 4:

Social Emotional Learning & Curriculum

Brief SEL interventions at school: Integrating research into practice

• States are including SEL in standards
• Supports a focus on the "whole child"
• Multiple programs; Multiple outcomes
• Once-a-week lessons are insufficient

• Integration into all aspects of school
• Buy-in is the biggest challenge

"Because social emotional and academic skills are interconnected and operate together, it makes a lot of sense to integrate SEL skill instruction into academics (Macklem, 2021)."

(Macklem, 2021)

ACTIVITY EVALUATION

Section 5:

Academic Activity Review

10 Academic Activities: USD 330

Parent/ Community Support

Technology Rich/Digital Resources

Good Support

Personal Support

Teacher Support

Admin. Support

Student Support

Limited Support

CTE Pathways

1:1 Chrome Books (7-12)

FFA

FBLA

FCCLA

Medal of Honor Program

Book Club (7-12)

Dual Enrollment Courses

EXCEL/Credit Recovery

Math and Reading Interventions (7-12)

What would I do differently as an Administrator?

• Support the book club better financially
• Assist the FBLA with more business involvement
• Increase frequency of MOH SEL Program

ACTIVITY EVALUATION

Section 6:

Non-Academic Activity Review

10 Non-Academic Activities: USD 330

Parent/ Community Support

Technology Rich/Digital Resources

Good Support

Personal Support

Teacher Support

Admin. Support

Student Support

Limited Support

Rand Acts of Kindness

Sports Activities

Community Cleanup

Family Fridays

Pep Club

Gaming Club

NHS Food Drive

FCCLA Babysitting

Positive Emails About Kids

Back to School Night

What would I do differently as an Administrator?

• Support athletic teams at more away games
• Assist NHS with more community support
• Take more interest in Gaming Club

Section 7:

Non-Academic Challenges & New Programs

Nonacademic barriers for students & families

• Value of attendance
• Parent involvement (distance and work)
• Lack of cultural diversity
• Serving 3 different communities

New Academic Programs

• Student Community Engagement
• STEM Club/Robotics

New Nonacademic Programs

• MV AV Club
• Music Production Group

Section 8:

Relevancy, Reflection, & References

Relevancy Statement

The research provided for this module increased my knowledge and understanding of the importance of academic and nonacademic activities, and how the balance of these activities can greatly impact student learning and teacher efficacy. Much of the research provided stressed the role of the principal as an instructional leader, and highlighted the impact building leaders have on the culture, attitudes, and beliefs of the entire learning community. Additionally, the research advocated for the use of technology to compliment and improve instructional methods, and increase student engagement in their learning. For example, use of videos and gamification can provide students with alternative, relatable practice in developing skills, and teachers can utilize videos and educational software to enhance their teaching methods. Finally, this assignment provided me with the opportunity to evaluate and reflect on my own strengths and weaknesses, and those of my district pertaining to curriculum, academic activities, and nonacademic activities. Currently, the curriculum I utilize for middle school ELA is very outdated. There is very little technolgy integration, however this has allowed me to create my own technology-integrated lessons from the material in the curriculum. For example, I create skills reviews using Kahoot, utilize Google Forms for entrance/exit tickets, and create novel-centered digital escape rooms. Although I feel I utilize technology consistently in my academic activities, I need to better utilize technology in nonacademic activities. We are researching a new K-12 ELA curriculum this school year (to be implemented in 2024-25), and this assignment has provided a great deal of insight into this process.

Personal Reflection

As a new administrator, the first step in determining the academic and nonacademic needs of the building would be to obtain input from a variety of stakeholders in the learning community. Meeting with core-instruction groups, coaches, sponsors, and community members will provide insight into what programs are currently in place and help identify areas for improvement. Community surveys regarding both activity areas could also be utilized. Next, a collaborative review of multiple measures of data would help correlate stakeholder perceptions to need, and alignment to school improvement goals. This step could also be beneficial in prioritizing necessary improvements. When the needs assessment has been completed, resource allotment should be evaluated. After determining the area(s) of focus, the building leader should continue their role as instructional leader by guiding stakeholders through the process of evaluating, planning, and implementing the curriculum. This could be a lengthy process. It will be essential to ensure that the focus is on evidence-based, high-quality, technology-rich programs that support both academic and nonacademic needs, and the success and well being of all students and adults.

References

Beard, K. S., & Thomson, S. I. (2021). Breaking barriers: District and school administrators engaging family, and community as a key determinant of student success. Urban Education, 56(7), 1067-1105. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085920987284 Chan, T. (2022). Principals' perceptions of their roles as curriculum leaders: Comparison of high, middle, and elementary schools. Proceedings of the 2022 AERA Annual Meeting, 25(1), 82-98. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1360925.pdf Ganimian, A., Vegas, E., & Hess, F. (2023, June 27). Realizing the promise: How can education technology improve learning for all? Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/realizing-the-promise-how-can-education-technology-improve-learning-for-all/ Glenn, S. G. (2018, June 25). Importance of curriculum to teaching. https://classroom.synonym.com/importance-curriculum-teaching-6189570.html Harvey, H. M. (2022). Elementary Principals' Knowledge and Practices of Literacy Instruction: Impact on Teachers' Perceptions and Actions Related to Reading Instruction (Order No. 29168291). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2673006418). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/elementary-principals-knowledge-practices/docview/2673006418/se-2 Hobbs, M. (2022, October 3). The importance of principals. UNC School of Education. https://ed.unc.edu/2022/08/31/edge-the-importance-of-principals/ Liou, Y.-H., Bjorklund, P., & Daly, A. J. (2021). Climate Change in Common Core Policy Context: The Shifting Role of Attitudes and Beliefs. Educational Policy, 35(6), 908–948. https://doi-org.ezproxy.fhsu.edu/10.1177/0895904819843603 Macklem, G. L. (2021). Chapter 1: Social Emotional Learning Movement Growing Pains. In Brief SEL interventions at school: Integrating research into practice (pp. 1-22). Springer International Publishing AG. https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.fhsu.edu/lib/fhsu/reader.action?docID=6463418&ppg=11Stack, R. (2023, February 3). Insights into high-quality curriculum planning | Great minds. Great Minds: Math, English, and Science Curriculum Developers. https://greatminds.org/aha-blog/high-quality-curriculum-planning