If you were able to join the superintendents’ meeting last week, you know that everyone loves a story. Andy Goodman reminded us of their power to capture the attention of audiences we know are critical – whether those are other educators, parents or community leaders – and to affirm the value of public education or to persuade those who might think otherwise.

Here are a few messages from his workshop I found especially compelling:

·  Andy told us that while data can be illuminating, stories are what people remember. Story and data provide a “one-two punch.”

·  Give people a more powerful story to change the stories they may already have in their minds. (I think this advice is powerful for our work.) Change the story. Talk about things that people really care about.

·  Use the elements of good storytelling: characters with names, a beginning and ending, tension or barriers to overcome, and resolution. His framework of “three acts” – from introducing the character, to the pursuit of the goal to resolution – is simple and easy to remember.

·  As leaders, we should think about following the approach from Marshall Ganz that Andy recommends for telling stories that resonate with others and compel them to action. What’s our story or why have we been called to our work? What values do we share as a community? What’s the challenge to those values and how should we move together now?

Finally, I was inspired by the wonderful stories that a number of you shared. They reminded me why our work is so important and how fortunate North Carolina is to benefit from your commitment and leadership. As we look ahead to the new school year, let’s be thinking of the stories that will remind people of the essential importance of public education.

As a reminder, all materials shared during this meeting will be posted on the Superintendent’s web page later this week. This includes the slides shared by Andy Goodman. To view one superintendent’s compelling story click here.

School Calendar Flexibility Survey

Watch your email for a survey from the General Assembly’s Program Evaluation Division on School Calendar Flexibility. It is due Aug. 5. We need 100 percent participation.

Follow-up Webinar to
Superintendents’ Quarterly

State Superintendent June Atkinson has scheduled a webinar for Monday, Aug. 1, at 10:30 a.m., to address topics discussed at the July 21 Superintendents’ Quarterly meeting including Teacher Compensation Models and Advanced Teaching Roles RFP (due to DPI by Oct. 15), Achievement School Districts, UNC System Lab Schools’ and budgetary items. Additionally, we will answer your questions at the scheduled September RESA meetings. A link to register for this webinar will be sent later this week.

Curriculum Leaders Collaborative

District curriculum and instruction directors will soon receive an application for the first annual Curriculum Leaders Collaborative hosted by NCDPI staff. The purpose of this optional four-day Curriculum Leaders Collaborative will be to provide school district central office administrators who are responsible for the district implementation of content standards (NC Standard Course of Study) a process for discussing how professional development, technical assistance/coaching, communication/visibility and research/evaluation support quality implementation that can be sustained and monitored for fidelity. There will be a cohort for the east and the west.

NCDPI is requesting that interested school districts develop a representative team of two-three central office administrators who can commit to attending all four days (taking place every other month) for the cohort and be led by the Chief Academic Officer, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction, the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction or any other central office administrator who is responsible for implementing new content standards.

Questions regarding this collaborative may be directed to Academic and Digital Learning Special Projects Manager Hunter Huffman.

Schoolnet Workshop for Administrators

The Schoolnet Administrator Workshop is a one-day session for novice Schoolnet users who are part of the leadership staff at their school or district.

The workshop (locations/dates below) includes setting up user accounts, roles and permissions, creating and administering tests, accessing benchmark items, and data and reporting. This session will run from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with lunch on your own. Space is limited so register early! PLEASE bring your own device.

*  East: Aug. 2

Teachers Memorial in Lenoir County, 500 Marcella Drive, Kinston

Register here

*  West: Aug. 9

Burke County Public Schools Resource Center, 509 W. Concord Street, Morganton

Register here

If you have any questions, please contact Yanisha Mann.

North Carolina Virtual Public School’s LEAD Ed

Leaders of Excellence and Advancement of Digital Education (LEAD Ed) is an initiative of NCVPS’s Professional Learning Division. LEAD Ed’s mission is to provide a pathway to authentic, engaging, and relevant online learning and leadership to K-12 teachers and administrators and postsecondary faculty and pre-service teachers.

LEAD Ed helps educators become innovative leaders and change agents in a quickly evolving online and blended world. LEAD Ed is a road map for schools, districts, teachers, and administrators to follow as they further the growth and development of students and instructional and professional practice.

Visit the NCVPS website and explore all of LEAD Ed’s learning opportunities.