Three Questions: Our Conversations with Educational Leaders
This month, we’re pleased to feature Dr. Lorna Lewis, WOCEC executive coach. Dr. Lewis has been a pioneer throughout her 40-year career as an educator. In 2018 she became the first woman of color to preside over the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYCOSS), representing over 800 education leaders statewide. She currently serves as the superintendent of Malverne Unified (NY) School District, after having served as the superintendent of Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District and East Williston Union Free School District. She’s also served as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and an invited lecturer for Adelphi University and Fordham University.
What exciting innovations are you seeing in schools and districts around improved student achievement?
Reflections on the lessons learned from the trauma of COVID -19 allow us to rethink and shape successful trajectories for our scholars. We are moving away from the factory model instructional design to enhance student achievement through personalized learning. Emerging technological tools of instruction and assessment allow us to identify learning gaps and target the skills needed to bring learners to proficiency. Exploration in the use of AI in raising the level of inquiry in our classrooms and engaging learners in project-based learning will more adequately prepare learners for the world they will enter as adults.
SEL continues to be important for school staff and students. What is something a school or district is doing to ensure that wellness and well-being are addressed and improved?
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is no longer a stand-alone program in districts but is now seen as an essential service in creating healthy learning environments. Budgets have expanded to recognize the need for greater access to counseling services, social workers, and professional development for educators to help students navigate social challenges. Mindfulness practices, yoga, and relaxation techniques help students develop resilience and a positive attitude towards learning. Through restorative practices students learn to manage conflict constructively, reducing the incidence of suspension and bullying. We must create holistic support systems through stronger collaborations with home, school, and community organizations, offering workshops and resources for parents to promote emotional well-being. By prioritizing SEL, schools can successfully cultivate a nurturing atmosphere where all students and staff can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Finally, what should be top of mind for school principals as they prepare for the new school year?
We are entering the new school year in one of the most politically charged environments. Top of mind has to be the social and emotional well-being of the students and staff as the country navigates the murky waters of politics. Will there be sufficient funds to support the neediest of learners? How do I create a safe, welcoming, and affirming school for all to thrive? Do I have an effective communication plan with staff, students, and families in place to share information and create a sense of belonging in my school community?
Principals should be intimate with the achievement data of the students, taking care to create a plan that will address learning gaps, target academic interventions, and maintain the interest level of students. They must implement an innovative digital learning platform, with updated curriculum, that captures the interest and imagination of their students. Principals should also focus on providing professional development for teachers to support student success and well-being. Finally, attention must be paid to strengthening the home school connection and engaging all in solutions for successful pathways for students.
Just Us in DC for the WOCEC National Convening in October
Join Us for a Convening of the Minds: Small Exclusive Gathering: Engaging in Conversations That Matter – The UNconference!
The WOCEC meeting is October 10 -12, at the Westin Georgetown in Washington, DC.
Why the WOCEC Convening is Different
Imagine attending an event at which you have direct access to the featured experts, no worries about getting into session rooms, and the opportunity to forge deeper connections with attendees and leading experts in education and leadership.
WOCEC’s October convening is limiting the number of participants to 200 attendees and bringing together a select group of forward-thinking professionals for an intimate convening focused on deep conversations, meaningful networking, and expert insights.
If you are passionate about making a difference and eager to be in a small group professional learning setting, register now!
Keynote speakers:
- Shawn Joseph, EdD, Co-Director, AASA/Howard Urban Superintendent Academy; Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy Studies, Howard University
- Elizabeth Leiba, MA, MBA, author of I’m Not Yelling: A Black Woman’s Guide to Navigating the Workplace
- Michelle Singletary, MBA, renowned author and syndicated columnist
- Suzanne E. Anderson, MEd, PCC, executive coach, facilitator, and organizational analyst
- Jamal Watson, PhD, Professor/Associate Dean, Trinity Washington University
- Sulagna Mookherjee, MD, focused on cardiovascular disease, speaker, and fellowship director, Albany Medical Center
Seats are limited to foster rich, impactful interactions. Do not miss your chance to be part of something special. Let’s create, collaborate, and catalyze change—together.
Another Important Gathering: The National Convening of Education Leaders of Color
Registration is now open for Education Leaders of Color’s upcoming National Convening in Baltimore, September 9-11. The theme of this year’s conference is Preparing for the Marathon: Sustaining Multiracial Coalitions in a Fragile Democracy. Because so many systems’ leaders asked for their own unique space at the conference, EdLoC is excited to host a special strand of programming designed for systems leaders co-hosted by Leading Now, the Aspen Institute’s Education & Society program, and Kaya Henderson on Tuesday and Wednesday. Register here for the convening, and if you’re not already a member, use the code GUEST2024 and list Heather Harding as your referring member. If you have questions, contact swinshel@edloc.org.
Accelerating Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning
As we look to the start of the new school year, go back and watch the above webinar from the folks at CASEL, called State of the Field 2024: Accelerating the 30-Year Movement for Social, Emotional & Academic Learning.
In the three decades since CASEL established the field of social and emotional learning (SEL), research has flourished, implementation has accelerated, and demand has hit all-time highs. But there is new urgency and new challenges surrounding young people’s learning and well-being, and SEL will play an increasingly important role in preparing all children for their futures. These demands will call on our field to bolster the evidence, strengthen implementation quality, and align policy conditions to support the social, emotional, and academic growth of every young person. Dr. Timothy Shriver and Dr. Aaliyah A. Samuel reflect on how three decades of SEL has shaped the current educational landscape and set the vision for the coming years.