Embedded Files
Click here to learn more about KSDE's Seal of Literacy Requirements.
The Auburn-Washburn Guiding Coalition advises, supports, and sustains district improvement and accreditation efforts through the Professional Learning Community process. In this work, the Guiding Coalition fosters a collaborative culture focused on high levels of learning for all students through collective inquiry, shared leadership, results orientation, and continuous improvement.
The Auburn-Washburn Guiding Coalition advises, supports, and sustains district improvement and accreditation efforts through the Professional Learning Community process. In this work, the Guiding Coalition fosters a collaborative culture focused on high levels of learning for all students through collective inquiry, shared leadership, results orientation, and continuous improvement.
Why develop a district-level Guiding Coalition?
Why develop a district-level Guiding Coalition?
We value collaboration as a district, and the guiding coalition provides an organized way to foster and sustain that collaboration across schools.
The coalition was established in response to teacher feedback from our initial PLC efforts, ensuring their voices are heard and incorporated into district-level decision-making.
The coalition brings together a variety of perspectives, uniting voices from across the district to create a collective effort focused on our shared goals.
The coalition provides a unified and representative group support the district accreditation process.
The guiding coalition helps us stay focused on what matters most—ensuring high levels of learning for all students.
By gathering input proactively rather than reacting to challenges, the coalition helps us anticipate needs and guide our work with intention.
The coalition creates a positive feedback loop, where shared successes and challenges inform continuous improvement across all schools.
The guiding coalition serves as a model for how schools can create their own guiding coalitions, aligning with our values of shared leadership and collaboration.
As a district, we are committed to modeling our initiatives, and the guiding coalition embodies the principles of the Professional Learning Community process.
Guiding Coalition Representatives
Guiding Coalition Representatives
The Guiding Coalition consists of representatives with varieties of perspectives, experiences, leadership, and grade-band expertise. All representatives initially serve for a period of two years. As the Guiding Coalition further develops, a representative rotation schedule will be developed.
School-Level Certified Representatives
School-Level Certified Representatives
Laura Harrison
Auburn Elementary
Erica Gordon
Farley Elementary
Kari Adams
Indian Hills Elementary
Jenn Snyder
Jay Shideler Elementary
Jimme Ann Helmbold
Pauline Central Primary
Carlin Smith
Pauline South Intermed.
Beth Maloun
Wanamaker Elementary
Christine Graves
Early Childhood Program
Jenny Cuper
Washburn Rural Middle
Trevor McDaniel
Washburn Rural Middle
Melissa Lambotte
WR North Middle
Chelsea Switts
WR North Middle
Bryan Anderson
Washburn Rural High
Victoria Finney
Washburn Rural High
Cynthia Ziegler
Washburn Rural High
School-Level Administrative Representatives
School-Level Administrative Representatives
Chris Holman
Pauline South Intermed.
Katie Sonderegger
Farley Elemenary
Dr. Charlie Stoltenberg
WR North Middle
Ed Raines
Washburn Rural High
District-Level Administrative Representatives
District-Level Administrative Representatives
Morgan Brown
General Education
Heidi Carlson
Special Education
Dr. Scott McWilliams
Superintendent
Dr. Jeff DeSota
Exec. Dir. Learning Services
About the Guiding Coalition
About the Guiding Coalition
Member Roles and Responsibilities
Member Roles and Responsibilities
Represent the interests of various stakeholder groups (teachers, principals, department heads, etc.).
Act as liaisons between their schools or departments and the coalition, soliciting feedback from stakeholders (teachers, staff, students, or parents as appropriate) and bring that feedback to coalition discussions.
Participate actively in meetings and work collaboratively to achieve coalition goals.
Demonstrate a commitment to the district’s PLC, strategic plan, and accreditation goals by fostering a culture of openness, collaboration, and shared leadership during meetings.
Communicate coalition initiatives in a way that encourages enthusiasm and support from your team or department, emphasizing the benefits of PLCs and accreditation for student success.
Promote the principles of the PLC process—collaborative culture, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement—within your school or department.
Work with school leaders and teams to ensure that the PLC process supports the district’s strategic plan and accreditation goals.
Identify gaps where improvements are needed to meet or exceed accreditation criteria, and work with the coalition to address these.
Promote transparency and a solutions-focused approach, encouraging others to view data as a tool for growth rather than criticism.
Support a positive and constructive atmosphere in which challenges are seen as opportunities for improvement.
Mentor and support other educators as they engage in the PLC process, helping them navigate challenges and build confidence in collaborative practices.
Offer constructive feedback on finding solutions and improving processes on coalition initiatives, plans, and decisions during meetings.
Ensure timely communication and follow-through on commitments, providing updates on progress as necessary.
Build relationships with coalition members from other schools or departments to strengthen district-wide collaboration.
Share resources, strategies, and best practices with other schools or departments to enhance consistency and alignment across the district.
Ensure that all voices, particularly those from marginalized or underrepresented groups, are heard and considered in coalition discussions and decisions.
Foster an inclusive environment in which all coalition members and district staff feel valued and heard.
Champion initiatives that close equity gaps and contribute to the student success, reinforcing the district’s commitment to high levels of learning for all students.
Anticipated Time Commitment
Anticipated Time Commitment
For the 2024-2025 school year, the following collaboration activities will occur:
March 11, 2025: Initial Meeting from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (Change from original date of March 5)
Norms, visioning, and KESA preparation
March 27, 2025: KESA Check-In from 9:00 to 11:00 am
Required accreditation meeting with our KSDE regional accreditation representative
April 22, 2025: KESA School Improvement Day from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
Ten representatives from the Guiding Coalition will participate at Greenbush Lawrence (KSDE cap)
May 1, 2025: School Improvement Day Recap from 4:15-6:00 pm
June 5, 2025: School Improvement Work Session from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, we anticipate the following:
Scheduled release time of about four times per year
Check-in meetings during off months after school and a workday in the summer
PLC training opportunities
Accreditation activities
KESA Check-In
KESA School Improvement Day
Summer School Improvement Work Session
Compensation Model
Compensation Model
For the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, the following compensation approach will be utilized:
Outside of duty day compensation
Committee Compensation ($20/hour) per Negotiated Agreement
Compensation for planning professional development
Developing/delivering full-day PD Contract Year: Comm Comp * 7 hours = $140/event
Developing/delivering full-day PD Off Contract: Comm Comp * 7 * 1.75 = $245/event
Page updated
Report abuse