Embedded Files
Well-supported, highly effective, and dedicated principals, teachers, and staff are essential to success for all students.
Well-supported, highly effective, and dedicated principals, teachers, and staff are essential to success for all students.
Bringing In the Best: The Right People at the Right Time
Bringing In the Best: The Right People at the Right Time
Establishing a Recruitment and Retention Team at EGES was critical in giving teachers and staff members an opportunity to be a part of the process in identifying new candidates to join our staff. This team attends formal recruitment events, such as job fairs, but also supports the school based processes of interviewing and determining the final candidate for recommendation.
Bringing Out the Best:
Bringing Out the Best:
Building Teacher Capacity
Building Teacher Capacity
Book Studies
Book Studies
Staff selected book studies as a part of professional development each school year. Book Clubs met in small groups to read, discussed, and developed a plan for action based on new learning. Book titles included: The Fundamental Five, Lost at School, SEL Everyday in Elementary School, What Great Teachers Do Differently, Powerful Partnerships and Beyond the Bake Sale were all selections for round 1 of book studies. Round 2 of book studies is set to launch in December. Book selection options include Get Up or Give Up by Michael Bonner, White Fragility by Robin Diangelo, Better Than Carrot Sticks by Smith, Flsher, and Frey, Hacking School Discipline, and Social and Emotional Learning in Action by Flippo.
In 2022-2023, the EGES Book Study for first semester was centered around strengthening PLCs with the texts PLC+ Better Decisions and Greater Impact by Design and PLC+ Playbooks (teams) and the PLC+ Activator Guide (leadership team members).
The focus of the PLC+ was strengthened over the course of the year by the continued focus on trust and team work presented by Dr. Graf.
Celebrating Teacher Good Works
Celebrating Teacher Good Works
All teachers bring knowledge and skills to the classroom. Purposefully identifying and strategically cultivating these skills support individual teacher growth and contributes to collective efficacy. At EGES, we formally and informally acknowledge our teachers for their good works in our school!
Lead Explorer Recognition
Lead Explorer Recognition
#LEAD
#LEAD
In August of 2017 the tradition of the Lead Explorer was revived. This tradition allowed for staff to be formally recognized at staff meetings and early release day trainings. The meetings always begin with the sharing of the work of the highlighted staff member and the giving of a certificate in acknowledgement of the difference they make in our school.
Mini Conferences
Mini Conferences
In 2016-2017 EGES held its first mini conference! This is a time when the staff was identified as having high impact on students in the classroom. In 2017-2018 the staff initiated sessions to share by grade level. In 2018-2019 Meredith College partnered with EGES to have their professors lead PD sessions on various topics from engaging ELL learners to best practices with math instruction. Miniconferences continue annually with our focus on our teachers, our students, and school culture.
Restart Principal Presenter & PLN Leader
Restart Principal Presenter & PLN Leader
In 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 Dr. Graf pioneered the NC DPI Restart Initiative for EGES. She was particularly successful with her innovative use of resources to support the creation of teaching positions, securing funding for building improvements, and increasing access to much needed supplies and materials for students. Dr. Graf presented at two statewide Restart meetings to share her knowledge and innovative approach to flexibilities.
In September of 2022, Dr. Graf is a guest panelist for Restart Flexibilities at UNC Chapel Hill. Her expertise will support rising principals in their Masters of School Administration program.
In October of 2022, Dr. Graf representated EGES and administrative leadership speaking with the graduating MSA students from East Carolina University.
#RISE #STRONG by Lifting Others
#RISE #STRONG by Lifting Others
Purposeful reminders of our work are now throughout our building. Each day we strive to lift each other and become better and #STRONGER as a staff than we were yesterday. Our collective efficacy is high at EGES. This is a message that gets carried out to students in our classrooms.
Empowering People for Schoolwide Success
Empowering People for Schoolwide Success
Showcasing the Best
Showcasing the Best
In 2018-2019 a goal was created and achieved that the school would showcase best practices and share our experiences with others to learn and grow from. Teams of teachers, Administration, and Support Staff were selected to present at the Whole Child Conference in Durham, North Carolina in October 2018, at the North Carolina Principal and Assistant Principals Association Instructional Symposium in November 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022 at Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Sustaining the Best Teachers
Sustaining the Best Teachers
I seek ways to recognize and identify teachers for their contributions to the school. Teacher turnover rates have declined with the increased focus on teachers as professionals, improvements to the exterior and interior of the school, and school culture and climate allowing for teams to remain intact to learn and grow together.
Well-supported, highly effective, and dedicated principals, teachers, and staff are essential to success for all students.
Well-supported, highly effective, and dedicated principals, teachers, and staff are essential to success for all students.
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