Leader 2 Leader

The FASA Diversity discussion for October focused on how principals can move equity, diversity, and inclusion forward in our schools and districts. We want to thank our guest speakers:  •    David Watkins, Director of the Department of Equity & Diversity, Broward County •    Chandra Hall, Director for Equity and Diversity Management, Polk County •    Dr. Kyra Schafte, Coordinator of Equity, Indian River County •    Steve Chatman, Equity Officer, Okaloosa County A few takeaways from this meeting were that equity, diversity, and inclusion need to be intentionally monitored. Change will come fastest when it becomes a community conversation. Schools cannot work in isolation to tackle these topics.  Communities can start by looking at what policies are already in place and improve upon them by being intentional. Mr. Chatman encourages schools to use disparity data such as the percentage of minority students in accelera...

  Personal Excellence in a Caring Place Eric Basilo, Ed.D, Assistant Principal, Seminole County Public Schools “Leadership today is based on relationships built with trust, hope. Love. And encouragement.” - Billy Cox, bassist I will never forget my introduction to teaching.  I was 22, fresh out of college, and excited to teach Math.  I was walking into Winter Park High School at the ideal time (the middle of January – HA!) taking over for a beloved teacher who was taking over higher Math courses.  I had some of the toughest students on campus and was afforded the task of ensuring some would be ready for graduation in May.  Not a problem for someone facing a slew of health challenges that would take my ability to speak about halfway through the semester. Thank God I was a newly made wildcat - the school whose motto was, “Personal excellence in a caring place.”  What was unique about the school was each member of the community including students, pare...

111 Points to an “A”: A Student Achievement Success Story Emphasizing When Student Learning is Prioritized, Results Come by Heidi L. Keegan, M. Ed Principal Charlotte County Public Schools The ultimate goal of any educational leader is to ensure that their students achieve academic success. To do so, they must prioritize student learning through leadership actions that build and support a learning organization focused on student achievement. Below are the steps taken by an elementary school principal—and her team of educators—that led to increasing the school’s letter grade to just 10 points shy of an “A”, despite being 100% Title I and the challenges of a pandemic. Step 1: Make Sure EVERYONE Knows the Goal(s) I mean EVERYONE. Exceptional educational leaders will analyze trend data, look at growth and proficiency, and acknowledge strengths and gaps in achievement. They will dissect details for subgroups, study cohorts, and collaborate with teacher leaders to set goals. None of this wil...