Beyond the Classroom: Leadership, Community, and Innovation in Education

Is the pursuit of new trends in education creating distractions from long-term progress?

How can school districts focus on what truly matters for student success?

On this episode of Engaging Leadership Show, we’re delving into how schools can set purposeful priorities to foster genuine student growth and equity.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Stacy Winslow, Superintendent of Derry Township School District in Hershey, Pennsylvania, who shared her district's approach to creating sustainable educational impact by focusing on clarity and consistency.

With her extensive background in educational leadership, Dr. Winslow offers a refreshing perspective on how school districts can thrive by prioritizing social-emotional learning, equity, and collaborative professional learning communities.

A Sweet Beginning: Introducing the Hershey Community

Dr. Winslow begins by painting a vivid picture of the Hershey community—infamously known as "the sweetest place on earth" due to its roots with the Hershey Chocolate Factory. The town’s unique history ties to Milton Hershey, who originally built this community as a utopian escape for his workers, and that sense of idealism still lingers in its school district today.

The Dynamics of Derry Township School District

Derry Township School District serves around 3,100 students comfortably, though it has seen numbers as high as 3,600. This high performing district boasts more than just impressive graduation rates; it is recognized for its community-backed focus on progressive education, striving tirelessly for holistic child development.

A Chocolatey Reward?

While the allure of Hershey chocolate pervades the region, Stacy humorously shares that candy is indeed plentiful. It’s a sweet bonus for the community, particularly during Halloween season.

Sustaining Success: Why Focus Matters

Dr. Winslow highlights one of her proudest achievements: strategically anchoring the district’s vision on three robust priorities—social-emotional learning, equity, and professional learning communities. This framework is embedded into their comprehensive plan and informs every strategic action.

Building Strong Systems

Dr. Winslow emphasizes their systemic approach with examples of a strong multi-tiered support system for student academics and behavior. The district is proactive in eliminating educational barriers, ensuring equal access for all students irrespective of their socioeconomic backgrounds.

Collaboration and Continual Learning

Within a school setting often bogged down by isolation, Derry Township’s establishment of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) fosters collaboration and learning amongst educators. These communities are meticulously organized by subjects, promoting a culture of shared resources and diverse teaching methodologies.

An effective PLC:

1. Assessment-driven: Evaluates how students perform, addressing gaps with tailored lesson plans.

2. Resource Sharing: Teachers share best practices and resources, ensuring collective progress.

3. Tailored Instruction: Groups students based on their learning needs, providing remediation or acceleration as needed.

Triumphs and Challenges

While the middle school benefits deeply from these PLCs, getting the high school on the same consistent track remains a challenge due to complex scheduling.

Leadership in Change Management

Navigating change isn’t easy, especially within the educational arena. Dr. Winslow reflects on how each schooling level embraces PLCs differently, attributing their unique pace to the complexity of change management.

The Path Forward: Cultivating New Leaders

Building future leaders remains a critical focus for Dr. Winslow. She highlights adaptable frameworks like coaching stances and career pathways as essential components for fostering leadership within her district.

By leveraging opportunities for growth and self-discovery, such as within instructional coaching roles, for individuals to transition smoothly into impactful positions, channeling their full potential.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify below:

Have a great week ahead,

CT

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