Standard II

Instructional Leadership

"Every student is uniquely capable and deserves to be challenged and engaged in relevant, rigorous, and meaningful learning each day."

You Cannot Talk About Education Without Talking About Equity

I would not be able to stand in front of you today as a principal had I not had the opportunities accessible to me during my public schooling. Each day at EGES, the staff and I view our work through multiple lenses, and perhaps the most critical lens is that of equity. In this school, we view our work as opening doors and pathways for students to learn and access additional opportunities that can lead to happy and productive lives.

Daily equity work continues to be the goal and actions of EGES staff. All families and students are important and valued here at school, and we strive to make a difference daily.

Focus on Classroom Core Instruction

Strong classroom teaching impacts student learning in the classroom. The focus on the implementation of best instructional practices and "tight teaching" resulted in the strengthening of teacher capacity leading to improvements in reading, math, and science proficiency.

Multiple practices have been established throughout the school to engage adult learners, including extensive work on building #STRONG PLTs to positively impact student academic outcomes.

In the 2019-2020 school year, the staff will deepen their understanding of improvement science and associated tools to support more effective instruction in the classroom.

In 2021-2022, the STL team focused their work on student attendance. This team led the way for all staff to create a PDSA focused on small but mighty actions to increase student attendance and parent awareness about the impact of chronic attendance. The impact was significant, resulting in higher attendance rates for students who were at risk.

LETRS Professional Development

In 2020-2021 Restart Flexibility, EGES began the work to provide staff with the Science of Reading training and professional development in an effort to strengthen teacher knowledge and skills and positively impact student outcomes in reading and literacy. K-2 teachers were trained in Units 1-4 a full year ahead of the state mandate. In 2022-2023, grades 3-5 teachers, select support staff, and Admin joined the training to support our school wide efforts towards continuous school improvement.

The LETRS training and knowledge gained from the professional development has altered the thinking, the instructional decision making, and the impact of our teaching on student learning. I am proud to support my teachers and staff with this initiative because it truly impacts student outcomes.

LETRS Unit 1

LETRS Unit 2

LETRS Unit 3

LETRS Unit 4

LETRS Unit 5

LETRS Unit 6

LETRS Unit 7

LETRS Unit 8

East Garner Elementary Equity Site

In 2019 the East Garner Elementary Core Equity Team developed an equity website to house and document our work. This team of dedicated professional worked through research and practical articles, read books, and had discussions about what we saw as areas of strengths and areas of needs in our school related to equity. We believe that equity must be embedded into the work we do daily at EGES. As we learn new things and become better- we do better (paraphrased from the great Maya Angelo!)

EGES Core Equity Statement

We, the Core Equity Team and School Administration, believe that our public school plays a vital and critical role in developing citizens who value diversity and positively contribute to our society. We believe that we must take action as the Core Equity Team to demonstrate our commitment to valuing and respecting the diversity of our staff, students, and families by deepening our own understanding of the cultures, histories, and beliefs of others. In order to achieve our vision of equity at EGES, we must be leaders in our building who demonstrate actions and behaviors that promote social justice and equality to our colleagues, students, and families in our school and the greater school community.

Effective Professional Learning Teams

& The Power of Collective Efficacy

At EGES we engage and collaborate to develop a culture that fosters PLTs and promotes all staff as learners, acquiring and building a repertoire of skills to meet the needs of every student. During our grade level and content based PLTs our teachers follow tight protocols focusing on student learning, data analysis, instructional best practices, collaborative team planning, individual professional growth and effective technology integration.

Grade Level Goal Setting

Grade levels met together to discuss EOY data from last year, as well as first quarter data to create next quarter goals to help us in our trajectory of success. Teams then presented their data, goals and next steps to the Administrative team.

Vertical Collaboration

3-5 ELA teachers collaborated together after our implementation of the EL curriculum. Teachers talked about what was working well, what they are challenged to implement with fidelity, and they shared ideas for the next unit of instruction.

End of Year Strategic Planning

3rd-5th Grade Math and ELA teachers work together to review schoolwide data, heavily weighted items on EOGs to develop new and innovative learning opportunities for our students to grow their SCOS knowledge through the 4C's.

Differentiated Strategic Support

Content specific PLTs are conducted and facilitated by "expert" teacher leaders on school wide and district wide initiatives for cohesive integration of curriculum, supplemental resources and best practices.

Intentional Collective Learning 2022-2023

Structural Conditions

Established Meeting Times

Innovative Master Schedule

Layered Instructional Support

Collaborative Approach

Supportive Relational Conditions

Intentional Building of Trust and Respect

Feedback Cycle

Working Towards Improvement

Shared Values and Vision

One Goal

Shared Beliefs

Maximizing the Potential of Staff

Individual Contribution of Efficacy

Intentional Collective Learning

Academic Discourse

Focused Reflection

Effective Instructional Practices

Collective Learning

Schools That Lead

Peers Supporting Peers

Affirmation Board

Lead Explorer Award

Teacher Support Program

Shared and Supportive Leadership

Leadership Team

Activator's PLC+ Playbook