2024-2025 BUILD Conference Guide (1)

Chief Academic Officer’s Welcome

Paulding Leaders,

Decades of educational research have identified effective school leadership as a critical factor in improving student academic outcomes. Last year, we asked leaders to intentionally BUILD their capacity for instructional leadership by consistently engaging in the work of school and instructional improvement. We are pleased to report that, after just one year, the 2024 Hanover Climate Survey indicated a 6% increase in teachers' perceptions that Paulding principals are instructional leaders in their schools. Kudos to those who took on Linda Cliatt-Wayman's "So What? Now What?" challenge to lead fearlessly and love hard as your school's instructional leader! John Hattie's (2023) newest meta-analysis, Visible Learning: The Sequel , reaffirms that quality school leadership significantly impacts student learning (0.46 effect size). High-impact leaders "place more attention on the collective power of all, focusing on the impact of teaching, leading, and learning on the students and creating safe, inviting, and fair environments and structures for all (teachers, staff, and students) to succeed" (p. 173). Dr. Manny Scott echoed this message in his keynote speech, encouraging us to realize the Power of One. Dr. Scott described how a single high-impact leader (or educator) can change students' educational experiences and life trajectories. High-impact leaders are "highly attuned to the notion of equity as enabling all students to gain at least one year's growth for a year's input…and removing the predictability of success or failure that currently correlates to any social or cultural factor" (Hattie, 2023, p. 174). Are you a high-impact leader? Were you the instructional leader you wanted to be last year? Did your leadership influence and actions positively affect the students, staff, and school community you serve? Most importantly, how will you measure your leadership impact this school year? The PCSD Teaching and Learning Division is committed to partnering with and supporting school leaders and teachers in achieving our collective goals. It's our combined efforts that will help us cultivate a culture of high-impact, instructional leadership that empowers our teachers, engages all students, and achieves equitable outcomes. Thank you for your dedication to our students and your leadership in the Paulding County School District. I look forward to our continued partnership and encourage you to reach out to T&L at any time.

Sincerely,

Tiffany L. Frachiseur Chief Academic Officer Paulding County School District