Worcester County Public Schools educators presented the Worcester LEADS initiative, dedicated to fostering a positive learning environment, at the May 21 WCPS Board of Education meeting.
Worcester County Board of Ed headquarters
File photo
By Tara Fischer, Staff Writer
Worcester County Public Schools educators presented the Worcester LEADS initiative, dedicated to fostering a positive learning environment, at the May 21 WCPS Board of Education meeting.
Worcester County Public Schools Coordinator of Equity and Multicultural Education Michael Browne spearheaded the project, which was made possible by a COVID-19 relief grant. The educator was joined by Buckingham Elementary teachers Colby Haines and Staci Aperance to discuss the initiative at their school.
The goals of BES’s Worcester LEADS, which stands for Leaders Engaging in Academic Development for Students, include increasing student engagement, promoting educational excellence, building relationships, and creating a positive climate, culture, and a sense of belonging for all.
Six faculty members at the elementary school are currently participating in the program, including counselor Aperance, math resource teacher Liz Glover, first-grade teacher Susan Gray, kindergarten teacher Jessica Grimes, Music and Movement teacher Haines, and preK-4 teacher Ali Semanchik.
“The team ranges from all different content areas, so the nice thing about developing skills is that they learn how to lean on each other’s strengths and create meaningful events for our staff and students,” Haines said.
According to the presentation team, to qualify, interested educators must participate, organize, or facilitate leadership activities assigned by their principal, which may include peer instructional support, peer observations, or collaborative planning, actively participate in a leadership book study with District LEADS facilitators, attend one approved regional leadership conference, and complete at least 50 hours outside their regular work hours to receive the Tier III Stipend.
“With this project, we wanted to make sure that the individuals participating had a focus on student growth,” Browne said. “As our educators advance with their skills, we look forward to transitioning that to our students, so they are also advancing. To be eligible to be a Worcester LEADS teacher, you must be a certified employee, have tenured status, and have an effective or highly effective evaluation rating from the previous school year.”
The program at Buckingham is modeled after the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Ron Clark Academy is a model school that has a vision for transforming classrooms, engagement, and culture,” Aperance said, “It is like a teacher’s Disney World.”
Haines said the participating students and staff are placed in houses or teams, and the teacher leaders act as cheerleaders for their groups and the entire school community.
Additionally, thanks to community partnerships, the program includes house competitions, field days, and other fun events.
Haines noted that the program has increased attendance rates and improved the school’s overall culture.
There are currently 21 Worcester LEADS county-wide. BES has six, Pocomoke Elementary has one, Showell Elementary has one, Pocomoke Middle School has two, Snow Hill Middle School has 1, Pocomoke High School has two, Snow Hill High School has two, and Worcester Technical High School has three.