Graduate Coursework

Core Values and Foundations

Core Values and Foundations is the introductory and grounding course in the school leadership program. This course brought together both part time and full time residents in a small cohort of school leaders from current teachers to school directors from a diverse range of school environments. Our course was grounded in three major learning outcomes Practice Thoughtful Inquiry and Reflection, Design Equitable Learning Environments, and Engage in Leadership for School Change.

Maths Night Slide Deck - Sept 2018

Equity, Diversity, and Design Principles

In this course we worked to define equity in our context as emerging school leaders, in the context of our current position and our varying positionalities. What do we bring to the conversation? Where have we observed moments of inequity in our own classroom? How have our own biases influenced a situation? These are some of the questions that I grappled with as I figure out what structures support an equitable learning environment and experience for all students. And what does equity look like through a mathematical lens?
One project I engaged in during this course was designing a Maths Night for our 9th-12th grade families with the HTHMA Maths Team.

Design and Leadership for Deeper Learning

The focus of this course is on designing meaningful project experiences for either our students or the adult learners that are a part of our school community. While the focus is on identifying and including moments of deeper learning throughout our projects or project slices there is a constant lens of equity and innovation with each stage of project development. Critique, audience, and creating relevant projects that have a strong community connection have been themes throughout this course. Final products for this course included: the prototype I made for the math component of this project, my project handout and outline, artist statement, and an appendix to all my work that combines theory with practice.

Facilitating Adult Learning

This course examined the multiple stakeholders and structures utilized by school leaders to support adult learning in their organization. We analyzed the systems and culture at our school site and considered how we might leverage common elements in school systems such as one-on-one coaching and staff meetings in order to support goals of equitable access and challenge for all students. Our work was grounded in empathy interviews and The Art of Coaching and The Art of Coaching Teams by Elena Aguilar.

School Law

This course examined some of the seminal court cases that have impacted and influenced educational policy with respect to equal rights and anti-discrimination laws, rights for students with special needs, and constitutional rights of minors in an educational setting.

Mele Sato_EDU 625 Final Project Presentation

Financial Resourcing for Equity

In this course we looked at the history of schools as public institutions. Thus, examining the local and federal funding that supports them. Students need space in order to be themselves and adults need support in order to grow as educators. Many of these supports cost money. I am amazed that there aren’t more restrictions on how funds are allocated or at least certain minimum requirements that must be met that promote an equitable educational space.
One project I engaged in during this course was creating a potential budget for our school that included everything from ADA to staffing to building maintenance costs.

Leading Innovative Schools

This course focused on the idea that schools can change and evolve and that they are spaces where innovative ideas in learning and impacting society can and should take place. As our proposal for change, my colleague, Christopher Millow, and I designed a PD around defining equity with our staff in the hopes of transitioning our community from the story of self to the story of us.

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