The administrator is the instructional leader of the school. As an effective school leader, I must understand the factors that impact instruction and adopt strategies to facilitate learning at the highest levels. As education is an ever-evolving discipline, I must continue to grow my knowledge through continuing education and encourage the faculty to do the same by providing support.
Strategies for Sustaining School Improvement
Cultivate a school climate rich with collaboration among all stakeholders
Provide support through resources, materials, and time devoted to professional learning communities
Encourage professional growth by providing professional development in areas of need and interest. Offer professional development in various forms to accommodate teacher preferences
Use qualitative and quantitative data to drive decision-making
Maintain a diverse leadership team, bringing varying perspectives to the group
Regularly check programs and strategies to evaluate their effectiveness
Strategies for Evaluating School Progress
Regularly collect and analyze data on student performance
Survey stakeholders such as faculty, staff, parents, and students to evaluate the school’s performance
Monitor programs and use data to determine their effect on student achievement
Strategies for Promoting Positive School Culture
Cultivate an environment of trust
Build relationships with all stakeholders
Clear and consistent communication
Adopt an open-door policy and welcome conversation
Maintain high expectations
Establish norms and values that align with the school’s vision and mission
Model the norms and values
Encourage growth and risk-taking
Maintain a safe and clean school environment
Develop a sense of family among personnel, students, and the community by holding regular parent and community involvement events
Strategies for Supervising Instruction
Conduct regular walk-throughs to observe classroom instruction
Perform pre and post-observation conferences with teachers
Faculty members will conduct peer observations and conferences
Regularly review lesson plans checking for best practices and SOL alignment
Examples of Best Practices of Effective Instructional Programs
Maintain high expectations for all learners
Student-centered instruction that is data-driven
Align learning goals and objectives with the Standards of Learning
Differentiated Instruction - Modifies the content, process, and product to meet the academic needs of students at varied learning levels
Problem-Based or Project-Based Learning - Develops critical and creative thinking skills while students work through real-world problems
Student Engagement - Students who are interested in and actively participating in their learning achieve more success.
List of Technologies to Support Teaching and Learning in Schools
Google Suite
Canvas
Adaptive learning platforms such as IXL
Virtual meeting platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom
Formative assessment tools such as Blooket and Kahoot
Assessment generators such as Mastery Connect
Reading comprehension programs such as Read Works
Virtual science lab sites such as PhET and Nearpod
List of Local, State, and/or National Trends That Will Affect Student Learning
National teacher shortage
Increase in teachers obtaining licensure through alternate pathways
Artificial Intelligence
Virginia Literacy Act
Combatting chronic absenteeism
A growing population of English Language Learners