Article by Jessica Henderson Photos by Evan Krape May 11, 2026

First-year assistant principal and UD alumnus James Wheatley shares his impact at Sussex Central High School

School leadership was not something James Wheatley, assistant principal at Sussex Central High School and University of Delaware alumnus, planned to pursue. But as he moved through his teaching career as a math specialist in Indian River School District, he wanted to do more to help his students and fellow colleagues reach their full potential. 

“As a teacher, I saw how leadership at the building level could create meaningful and sustainable change,” Wheatley said. “I recognized that in order to break down barriers and implement innovative ideas at scale, I needed to be in a position where I could influence systems, not just individual classrooms.”

With those goals in mind, Wheatley pursued two programs in UD’s College of Education and Human Development (CEHD): its online master’s in teacher leadership program for practicing educators and its Principal Preparation Program, an 18-month professional program for aspiring principals. 

Now in his first year as assistant principal at Sussex Central High, Wheatley is using those skills to enact meaningful change. Recognizing that chronic tardiness and absenteeism continues to be a significant barrier to education in Delaware, Wheatley worked to create a schoolwide tardy tracker, identifying over 500 students with four or more tardies. 

“While this initiative increased minor student referrals, it ultimately helps us keep our students learning in the classroom,” Wheatley said. “It helped reduce major infractions, such as in-school suspensions, by over 30%, which has been great to see.”

“From day one, Jimmy has demonstrated an incredible work ethic, a high level of organization and a willingness to find ways to improve systems and processes through the thoughtful use of technology,” said David J. Carter, principal at Sussex Central High. “He is a quick learner and a great facilitator, who reflects on his work and is always looking for ways to grow and better support our students and staff.”

Wheatley supervises students as they transition between classes at Sussex Central High.

Wheatley continues to learn something new each day, diving deeper into the nuances of school climate, special education, discipline and other areas. 

“In a school of nearly 2,000 students, I’ve been able to hit the ground running, moving beyond my comfort zones in instruction and coaching, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Wheatley said. 

In this fast-paced role, he draws on the support of his Sussex community and his UD preparation. 

“We have an awesome community in lower Sussex County within the Indian River School District,” Wheatley said. “It’s incredible to see the level of support not only from families, but also from higher education institutions like UD and leadership programs that encourage educators to step into administrative roles. We need strong administrators in our state, and teachers who are considering an administrative certification should absolutely explore UD’s Principal Preparation Program.”

The Principal Preparation Program, housed in CEHD’s School Success Center, prepares participants to make a difference through research-informed coursework, an action research project, a real-world internship experience and a statewide cohort model.

Wheatley (center) with colleagues at the high school.

The program’s 10th anniversary cohort — a group of 24 aspiring leaders — graduated in December 2025, joining alumni across the state. About two-thirds of the program’s nearly 150 graduates are currently in leadership roles across Delaware, with others engaged in the application and interview process. 

The program has made such an impact that it received the 2026 Superstars in Education and Training Award from the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce in March.

“Both the teacher leadership program and the Principal Preparation Program were critical in my journey to becoming a principal,” Wheatley said. “They are powerful programs because they’re grounded in the real data and real work that you’re already doing in your school or district.” 

Wheatley appreciated the programs’ emphasis on reflection, which influenced how he approaches his work at Sussex Central High. 

“The programs require you to reflect on the work you’re doing everyday, document it and be intentional about it,” Wheatley said. “That reflection and structure are now embedded in my daily leadership practice. In that way, both programs change you intrinsically and continue to influence how I lead.”

The Principal Preparation Program’s cohort model also helped him succeed. This approach allows a group of Delaware educators to move through the program together, learning with each other during and after the program.

“I still talk to many of the people in my cohort almost weekly in group threads, and we regularly check in on each other,” Wheatley said. “And I still meet with my mentor monthly. That continued connection has been incredibly helpful, especially with how much can happen in the day-to-day work of school leadership.”

CEHD offers a broad portfolio of graduate programs, including online programs ranked in the top 7% of all online education graduate programs nationwide. To learn more, visit its website. 

Launched in 2022, CEHD’s School Success Center partners with teachers and administrators in public, charter and independent schools and offers a systemic approach to improving student and school outcomes. To learn more about the Principal Preparation Program or other services, visit here..

Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos by Maria Errico.

April 24, 2026

The University of Delaware College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)’s School Success Center (SSC) hosted the eighth annual Women Leading Delaware Education Conference on UD’s Newark campus. On March 25, 2026, the SSC welcomed more than 350 Delaware educators to Clayton Hall Conference Center for an engaging and inspiring day of professional learning.

The Women Leading Delaware Education Conference is a networking and professional learning event for teachers and administrators in elementary, secondary and higher education settings. The event addresses issues specific to women and education leadership and provides a powerful opportunity for current and aspiring leaders to convene for a day of connection, reflection and inspiration. The conference aligns with CEHD’s commitment to strengthening the education workforce, supporting educational leaders throughout their careers and helping Delaware schools address the regional school leader shortages.

“This event represents an important opportunity for all educators to come together around both the opportunities and the persistent barriers for women in pre-K–12 and higher education leadership,” said Alison Travers, assistant director of the Delaware Academy for School Leadership in the SSC. “More than 350 educators invested in one another, as well as in their own professional learning and personal well-being through their participation. We’re fortunate to host such a powerful experience right here on campus, one that elevates and amplifies the voices of women in education leadership.”

The theme of this year’s event was “EdPowering: Elevating Voices for Collective Belonging,” and the keynote speaker, sponsored by the Educator Excellence Workgroup in the Delaware Department of Education, was Julia Korn, founder of the Women’s Leadership Accelerator.

As founder of the Women’s Leadership Accelerator, Korn leads a community dedicated to the growth of female leaders and has dedicated her career to professional coaching. In her keynote address, titled “Get Ahead without Burning Out: How to Skyrocket Your Career through Human Impact,” Korn shared strategies that participants could take to advance their careers in meaningful ways without jeopardizing their well-being.

The event also featured remarks from CEHD Interim Dean Rena Hallam and Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten. National and local leaders also facilitated whole-group and breakout sessions on topics like amplifying voices that often go unheard, strengthening partnerships and communities and deepening a collective sense of belonging in pre-K-12 schools and districts.

New this year, conference participants also enjoyed two performances by Cab Calloway School of the Arts students, including the school’s gospel choir and the cast of its current musical, “Once Upon a One More Time.”

“When we planned the conference, we wanted to elevate student voices in alignment with our theme,” Travers said. “All of the student performers were very talented. They truly touched educators with their moving performances, and I was so grateful to be able to feature student voices and highlight the impact of Delaware arts education.”

CEHD’s Center for Disabilities Studies, Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood and SSC also shared information and ongoing projects with participants.

Nathalie Princilus, supervisor of grants and unique programs in the Christina School District and a CEHD alum, was proud to present a session on the relationship between cultural experiences and building student relationships with colleagues Rochellda Adderley, Jennifer Cohen, Glennine DeBeary, Nicole Figueroa, Jessica Liu and Leslee Love. Princillus was instrumental in ensuring that over 50 educators from her district registered for the conference and were able to attend.

“Attending the Women Leading Delaware Education Conference is always a highlight of the school year, and this year’s theme and intentional design were especially meaningful in affirming both my professional and personal goals,” Princilus said. “Every detail, from the thoughtful location to the rich opportunities to learn from one another and the inclusion of student performances, reflected a deep commitment to the conference’s purpose. It remains an important space for affirmation, connection and encouragement to continue leading boldly in service of our students.”

Hosted annually in March, the Women Leading Delaware Education aligns with national Women’s History Month. The conference complemented many other events on UD’s campus, including a Women History Month dinner with prominent women leaders in Delaware, book giveaways, workshops and more.

More than 350 Delaware educators attended the conference at Clayton Hall Conference Center.

Article by Jessica Henderson Photo courtesy of Mabel Boutte January 12, 2026

UD’s Principal Preparation Program celebrates 10 years of meaningful impact across Delaware schools and districts

Mabel Boutte, now a principal at Etta J. Wilson Elementary School in Pike Creek, Delaware, joined the University of Delaware’s Principal Preparation Program in 2016 hoping to make a greater impact at her school. 

With research-informed coursework, an action research project, a real-world internship experience and a statewide cohort model, the program, housed in the College of Education and Human Development’s School Success Center (SSC), prepares leaders to make a difference in their schools, districts and communities. 

“The program provided me with an authentic, hands-on opportunity,” Boutte said. “Through my internship, I had the opportunity to work with practitioners and analyze schoolwide initiatives, problem-solve and ask questions. It helped me build practical skills and the confidence to be a school leader. Those things have stayed with me.”

Through the program’s coursework and internship, Boutte studied topics like leadership strategies, school improvement methods and data-driven decision-making. Her culminating research project allowed her to apply her learning to a real-world challenge in her internship setting. 

As principal, Boutte incorporates the skills she developed through the program into her everyday practice. 

“Because of UD’s Principal Preparation Program, we have created a true culture of data-based decision-making at our school that directly improves student outcomes,” Boutte said. “We’ve worked intentionally to ensure that every instructional decision, whether in the classroom, grade or schoolwide, is grounded in evidence and focused on the needs of individual learners, as well as learners collectively. Our teachers are analyzing data regularly, they’re looking at student strengths and needs and we’re really working together to figure out how we can help students achieve.”

The work of Boutte and her team at Wilson Elementary has paid off. In 2023, the school was recognized by the Delaware Department of Education for closing the achievement gap between students’ performance and the state standards. Over the past two years, the school has continued to exceed expectations in academic achievement. 

“I’m extremely proud of all of the hard work and effort we are putting in as a team to help our students improve,” said Boutte, who also graduated from UD’s master’s of instruction program before completing the Principal Preparation Program. “I am proud of our amazing staff and all we have accomplished in the past four years.”

Leading change across Delaware 

Since 2015, the professional learning program has prepared nearly 150 school leaders for assistant principal or principal certification through one of the few remaining alternative routes to principal certification in Delaware.

Over the last 10 years, graduates like Boutte have thrived in their leadership roles due to the program’s real-world approach to learning. Its statewide cohort model also helps educators lead change across Delaware. This model allows a group of educators to move through the program together, learning with each other during and after the program.

“A cohort of educators who work in multiple schools and districts in rural, suburban and urban areas is fundamental to our participants’ learning,” said Alison Travers, assistant director of SSC’s Delaware Academy for School Leadership. “They’re not only working with our instructors and learning the content, but they’re also learning what those leadership concepts and practices look like in many settings by talking to their colleagues in the cohort.”

And, as Travers jokes, “once you’re a part of the Principal Preparation Program, you can’t leave this network.” The SSC offers leadership coaching to all participants once they begin their first assistant principal position, supporting them in the transition and helping them apply their skills on the job. 

“Through the program, I’ve built so many relationships, and I’ve gained so many people that I can go to in the state,” said Boutte, who also mentors colleagues enrolled in the program. “The mentorship and networking components really helped me grow and learn.”

The program’s 10th cohort — a group of 24 aspiring leaders — graduated in December, joining alumni across the state. About two-thirds of the program’s nearly 150 graduates are currently in leadership roles across Delaware, with others engaged in the application and interview process. 

“Participating in the Principal Preparation Program has been an incredible leadership journey for me,” said Paula Hutton, a Wilson Elementary School teacher, a member of the 10th cohort and one of Boutte’s mentees. “The support of the UD team, the depth of the coursework, and the mentoring I’ve received have all contributed to my confidence in stepping into an administrative position. Having Mrs. Boutte as my mentor, in an environment where student success and ongoing improvement drive every decision, has been especially rewarding.”

UD hosts 23rd annual professional learning conference for nearly 600 Delaware educators with state and local partners

July 2, 2025

In partnership with the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) and the Delaware Association of School Administrators, UD’s School Success Center (SSC) and Partnership for Public Education (PPE), housed within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), welcomed nearly 600 educators to the 23rd annual Policy and Practice Institute on June 24, 2024 at Dover High School in Dover, Delaware. 

The conference is Delaware’s premier networking and professional learning event for educators, school leaders and policymakers. With practical tools and resources, this year’s event enabled participants to create engaging and effective learning opportunities for Delaware students. Sessions focused on building school, family and community partnerships, recruiting and retaining educators and more. Participants also enjoyed Delaware TIDE talks, fast-paced and creative presentations meant to trailblaze, innovate, discover and empower. 

“The Policy and Practice Institute is powerful because it brings people together around what truly matters in education—connection, care, and possibility,” said Faith Muirhead, director of the SSC. “The conference creates space for honest conversations, bold ideas and shared purpose.”

The event also included remarks from Cindy Marten, DDOE secretary of education, and a keynote address from Monique Couvson, an author, scholar and philanthropy executive with experience in education, civil rights, juvenile and criminal justice. She delivered a keynote aligned with the conference’s theme, “Enjoying the Ride: Navigating Change with Purpose.”

“Delaware Secretary of Education Marten challenged us to focus on what’s working and build from there—because data, when used with intention, can illuminate the path forward,” Muirhead said. “Dr. Couvson reminded us that healing and learning go hand in hand, and that students thrive when they feel seen and supported. It’s this mix of heart, insight and collaboration that makes the Institute such a meaningful force for change.”

“Schools may be part of the tapestry of healing in our society, or part of the tapestry of harm,” said Couvson, president of Grantmakers for Girls of Color. “In Delaware and elsewhere, purpose-driven leadership in education requires a commitment to building learning institutions that lovingly respond to the needs of our young people at the intersection of their identities. I appreciated the opportunity to share my ‘notes from the field’ with this extraordinary collection of brave and committed educational leaders.”

Annastasia Purinton, associate director of the PPE, expressed gratitude for the continued ability to partner with Delaware educators and policymakers throughout the state. 

“Each year, PPE collaborates with faculty, district teams and school colleagues to meaningfully integrate research and expertise into the Policy and Practice Institute program,” Purinton said. “As the premier education conference in the state, Policy and Practice Institute offers a prime opportunity to unite with educators and leaders across Delaware and to explore in-depth the initiatives that fuel their passion.”

Article by Jessica Henderson. Photography by Maria Errico. 

POLICY AND PRACTICE INSTITUTE 2025

Article by Jessica Henderson | Photo by Maria Errico | May 20, 2025

UD hosts professional learning event with Delaware Department of Education, Delaware Association of School Administrators

In partnership with the Delaware Association of School Administrators and the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), the University of Delaware Partnership for Public Education and School Success Center (SSC), housed within the College of Education and Human Development, will host the 23rd annual Policy and Practice Institute from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on June 24, 2025 at Dover High School in Dover, Delaware. 

The conference is Delaware’s premier networking and professional learning event for educators, school leaders and policymakers. With practical tools and resources, this year’s event will enable participants to create engaging and effective learning opportunities for all Delaware students. Sessions will focus on building school, family and community partnerships, recruiting and retaining educators and more. Participants will also enjoy Delaware TIDE talks, fast-paced and creative presentations meant to trailblaze, innovate, discover and empower. 

“We are proud to offer professional learning options through more than 60 breakout sessions along with multiple poster presentations and TIDE talks that will feature Delaware educators showcasing their work and sharing knowledge,” said Alison Travers, associate director of SSC’s Delaware Academy of School Leadership. 

The event will also include remarks from Cindy Marten, DDOE secretary of education, and a keynote address from Monique Couvson, an author, scholar and philanthropy executive with experience in education, civil rights, juvenile and criminal justice. She will deliver a keynote aligned with the conference’s theme, “Enjoying the Ride: Navigating Change with Purpose.”

Register by June 10 by visiting: https://ssc.cehd.udel.edu/ppi

Article by Jessica Henderson Photo by Maria Errico March 14, 2025

UD hosts professional learning conference for educators in partnership on Newark campus

The University of Delaware College of Education and Human Development’s School Success Center (SSC) will host the seventh annual Women Leading Delaware Education Conference on UD’s Newark campus. The event will be on March 24, 2025, at Clayton Hall Conference Center from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Women Leading Delaware Education Conference is a networking and professional learning event for teachers and administrators in elementary, secondary and higher education settings. The event addresses issues specific to women and education leadership and provides a powerful opportunity for current and aspiring leaders to convene for an impactful day of connection, reflection and inspiration.

The theme of this year’s event is “Thrive in 2025,” and the keynote speaker, sponsored by the Educator Excellence Workgroup in the Delaware Department of Education, will be Minette Norman, the award-winning author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader.

“Women’s leadership is defined by strength, resilience and lifting each other up,” said Faith Muirhead, SSC director. “Right now, our voices are being questioned, and the principles of equity and inclusion are being challenged. Our event provides a space to come together, share our experiences and support one another in navigating these uncertain times.”

The event will also include information tables from CEHD’s Center for Disabilities Studies, Center for Excellence and Equity in Teacher Preparation, Center for Research in Education and Social Policy, Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood, Partnership for Public Education and SSC.

Individuals of all genders and backgrounds may participate.

To register, visit https://ssc.cehd.udel.edu/events/7th-annual-women-leading-delaware-education-conference/.

November 06, 2024

BY BEN GAGNON
The County Press, 810-452-2661

DRYDEN — During October, Dryden Elementary School had a three-day professional development session from a representative with the University of Delaware.

Dr. Jaime True Daley, associate director of Content- Specific Curriculum Supports for the University of Delaware’s School Success Center, had the opportunity to spend several days with Dryden Elementary teachers, observing in classrooms, meeting with grade level teams and facilitating building-level professional learning.

“Dr. Daley’s visit was inspiring,” said Dryden Elementary literacy coach Karen Roys. “She supported us with further ways to meet student’s needs and accelerate learning. She gave such positive feedback during the observations. She kept using the word ‘impeccable.’”

Daley’s visit was in conjunction with the elementary’s ELA professional learning plan for the 2024-2025 school year, continuing with existing efforts to shore up student’s foundational skills and enhancing the implementation of Bookworms Reading and Writing K-5 curriculum. Dr. Sharon Walpole from the University of Delaware is a reading researcher and the creator of the curriculum.

Dryden Elementary adopted Bookworms in the beginning of the 2023-24 school year. After an initial training and a year of implementation, feedback from teachers and students was positive. That’s when a partnership with the University of Delaware was made.

“Bookworms is unique. It has an enormous amount of content-rich texts and the instructional practices are strongly based in reading science,” said Kristal White, a literacy coach and early literacy consultant with the Lapeer County Intermediate School District. “We wanted to continue to support our teachers and continue growing in our instructional practices.”

Dryden Elementary has two other opportunities scheduled this school year to continue learning from Daley and the University of Delaware.

“We are definitely looking forward to it. Powerful learning for students requires powerful learning for teachers,” said White.

UD hosts Policy and Practice Institute for nearly 600 Delaware educators with state and local partners

July 12, 2024

In partnership with the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) and the Delaware Association of School Administrators, the University of Delaware’s School Success Center (SSC) and Partnership for Public Education (PPE), housed within the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), welcomed nearly 600 educators to the 22nd annual Policy and Practice Institute in June at Dover High School in Dover, Delaware.

The conference is Delaware’s premier networking and professional learning event for educators, school leaders and policymakers. With practical tools and resources, this year’s event enabled participants to take action toward creating stronger and more equitable learning opportunities for Delaware students. With sessions focused on building school, family and community partnerships, recruiting and retaining educators and more, the conference aligned with CEHD’s commitment to supporting Delaware educators, improving educational outcomes and diversifying the education workforce.

“The increase in attendance this year and the number and variety of sessions demonstrates the importance of this annual event to Delaware educators,” said Faith Muirhead, director of the SSC. “We are honored to collaborate in bringing educators together to learn with and from one another. This was a year to celebrate, moving from intention to impact, and the conference theme clearly resonated with participants.”

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Nearly 600 educators from across Delaware attended the 22nd annual Policy and Practice Institute at Dover High School in Dover, DE

The event also included remarks from Mark Holodick, DDOE secretary of education and CEHD alumnus, and a keynote address from Jamila Dugan, an educator, coach and author who has spent her career uplifting the experiences of students, families and educators whose voices have historically been marginalized. Dugan’s keynote, titled “The Possible Future of Education: An Invitation to Radically Dream,” invited participants to “radically dream” about a new “future of learning.”

“Even after experiencing time away from schools during the pandemic, we are still clinging to an archaic system,” Dugan said. “Urgency, fear and the pull of the dominant paradigm of schooling have led many educators toward a feverish return to the status quo — reducing schooling experiences to addressing perceived student deficits and learning for the sake of achievement on standardized tests. But what could it look like to make a fundamental mindset shift toward capitalizing on the possibilities of now and the transformative chance to dream?”

The event also featured Delaware TIDE talks, fast-paced and creative presentations meant to trailblaze, innovate, discover and empower. Six educators presented on amplifying student voices, belonging and inclusion, building relationships to address equity gaps, equity in math class and social media use and its impact on schools and families.

“Delaware TIDE talks were designed to elevate the impact of Delaware educators,” said Alison Travers, assistant director of SSC’s Delaware Academy for School Leadership. “Attendees were very responsive to the exciting and engaging presentation style, and we heard several participants commenting on how much they enjoyed the TIDE Talks and how much they learned from the presenters.”

Nancy Ventresca, academic dean at West Park Place Elementary School, shared how valuable she finds the event each year.

“I look forward to the Policy and Practice Institute each year,” Ventresca said. “Coming together with educators and leaders from all over is truly inspiring, and I always come away with fresh ideas and new perspectives to inform and shape my own practice. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to catch up with colleagues and forge new professional relationships. Each year brings interesting keynotes and a wide array of meaningful breakout sessions led by a variety of educational leaders.”

Delaware educators engage in conversation during a poster session at the Policy and Practice Institute.

Annastasia Purninton, associate director of the PPE, expressed gratitude for the ability to partner with Delaware educators and policymakers throughout the state.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to share some of PPE’s work through the Policy and Practice Institute and to learn more about the exceptional work happening in Delaware from the people who have the greatest impact on students: Delaware’s educators, administrators and policymakers,” Purinton said. “The partnerships that PPE has initiated with DDOE, districts, charters and UD faculty will not only enhance local expertise but also provide innovative solutions informed by the expertise of all our partners to address education needs across the state.”

About the School Success Center

Launched in 2022, the SSC partners with teachers and administrators in public, charter and independent schools and offers a systemic approach to improving student and school outcomes. The SSC is unique in partnering with both teachers and administrators on the same improvement strategies to ensure that teachers, schools and districts grow together.

In addition to providing differentiated coaching services for school and district leaders, the SSC offers expert-facilitated professional learning programs in literacy instruction, math instruction and multi-tiered systems of support, focusing on student screening, diagnostic assessment, intervention design, progress monitoring and more.

To partner with the SSC, visit its website.

About the Partnership for Public Education

Since 2015, PPE has leveraged UD expertise, evaluation, professional development and advocacy resources to support Delaware’s public education system and foster sustainable partnerships with Delaware’s public education stakeholders.

PPE aims to expand UD’s research impact, recognizing that research in education is often underused nationwide. To achieve this goal, PPE aims to identify, mobilize and optimize UD research to directly address critical needs in Delaware’s education system in ways that have measurable impacts on Delaware’s P-12 policy and practice.

To learn more about PPE, visit its website.

Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos by Maria Errico.

Header image caption: The Policy and Practice Institute is Delaware’s premier networking and professional learning event for educators, school leaders and policymakers.

UD SSC hosts professional learning conference for nearly 300 Delaware educators on Newark campus

The University of Delaware College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)’s School Success Center (SSC) hosted the sixth annual Women Leading Delaware Education Conference on UD’s Newark campus. On Wednesday, March 13, the SSC welcomed nearly 300 Delaware educators to Clayton Hall Conference Center for an engaging and inspiring day of professional learning.

The Women Leading Delaware Education Conference is a networking and professional learning event for teachers and administrators in elementary, secondary and higher education settings. The event addresses issues specific to women and education leadership and provides a powerful opportunity for current and aspiring leaders to convene for an impactful day of connection, reflection and inspiration. The conference aligns with CEHD’s commitment to diversifying the education workforce, supporting educational leaders throughout their careers and helping Delaware schools address the regional school leader shortages.

“Delaware schools have many strong women leaders who use this annual event as an opportunity to rejuvenate, make connections and learn from one another,” said Faith Muirhead, director of the SSC. “This year’s conference brought almost 300 participants together to support their individual leadership development and work together to find answers to the problems that confront our schools and to develop solutions.”

The theme of this year’s event was “Celebrating Our Resilience,” and the keynote speaker, sponsored by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), was Jane Kise, founder of Differentiated Coaching Associates. Kise’s address focused on the concepts of brain energy and bandwidth, moving beyond self care to help women leaders and their colleagues stay energized and passionate about their work.

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“The resounding message from social media is that burnout is the price of leadership, especially for women,” Kise said. “Yet it isn’t inevitable. I love sharing our research that highlights all the areas that go beyond selfcare that let us reclaim our time, our focus, our purpose and our passion. And facilitating these discussions with a group of motivated leaders means they’ll take this information back to their staff and improve everyone’s wellbeing.”

The event also featured whole-group and breakout sessions facilitated by national and local leaders who led thoughtful discussion on topics such as personal and organizational resilience, gender equality, diversity and inclusion, school and district leadership, education policy and overcoming barriers specific to women.

“Intentionally including networking time and opportunities for connection within the conference agenda were priorities for our team,” said Alison Travers, assistant director of SSC’s Delaware Academy for School Leadership (DASL). “We have received feedback from multiple participants of the March 13 conference stating that they appreciated time to connect with colleagues, to network and make new connections and to feel celebrated for their role in education.”

Angela Socorso, education associate in the DDOE, also emphasized the importance of the event and expressed gratitude for the opportunities it offered.

“The conference serves as an invaluable platform for fostering connections, networking and deepening our understanding of leadership dynamics,” Socorso said. “It not only provides an opportunity to reflect on our personal journeys but also encourages us to critically examine our leadership styles and approaches, empowering us to make meaningful impacts for those we lead and support. This conference is a testament to the collective strength and potential of women in leadership, and I’m grateful for the enriching experience it offers.”

About the School Success Center

Launched in 2022, the SSC partners with teachers and administrators in public, charter and independent schools and offers a systemic approach to improving student and school outcomes. The SSC is unique in partnering with both teachers and administrators on the same improvement strategies to ensure that teachers, schools and districts grow together.

In addition to providing differentiated coaching services for school and district leaders, the SSC offers expert-facilitated professional learning programs in literacy instruction, math instruction and multi-tiered systems of support, focusing on student screening, diagnostic assessment, intervention design, progress monitoring and more.

To partner with the SSC, visit its website.

Read this story on UDaily.

Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos by Maria Errico.

Jake Rutz, Delaware Live

March 14, 2022

Caesar Rodney, Brandywine, and Appoquinimink school districts will welcome a national tour this month that celebrates the high level of mathematics learning in Delaware.

The Knowledge Matters Campaign chose Delaware as the first stop, and it’s the first time the First State has been the subject of a math-focused tour. It previously has been included in English language arts and literacy.

The tour will highlight shifts in classrooms that include new materials and allow more student-led classes, presentations and discussions.

Barbara Davidson, the executive director for the Knowledge Matters Campaign, said Delaware has implemented high-quality improvements to their curricula and instruction in an effort to restore wonder and excitement in the classroom.

The campaign’s mantra is “find the good and praise it.” 

Michelle Hawley, supervisor of mathematics at Brandywine School District, said that the most prominent improvement to Delaware math has come at the middle school level, where they have been teaching “Kendall Hunt’s Illustrative Mathematics 6-8 Math,” published in 2019.

The math book received a perfect score on EdReports, an organization that grades materials that schools use in their curriculum. 

In addition, Hawley said the unique quality of Delaware’s mathematics education comes from enlightening and elevating students in the classroom.

“The curriculum requires students to be an active participant in their learning,” Hawley said. “Students have really taken ownership of the classroom, and teachers have become facilitators that connect the dots.”

This curriculum was provided by Illustrative Mathematics. 

This Delaware ownership comes in the form of students making connections to each other, connections between different mathematical areas, and being more outspoken in the classroom.

“Students are realizing that math makes sense,” said Hawley. “They are seeing how fractions and ratios function similarly, for example, and their ability to be at the forefront of a lesson’s discussion allows them to foster these math connections much quicker.” 

Hawley said that Delaware is unique in that it does not just provide new materials, but it also assists heavily in making sure the instructors know how to effectively work with such materials. 

Mathematics teachers are required to go through hundreds of hours of training to understand the curriculum, review instructional strategies, and figure out how students will comprehend their lessons. 

Part of this professional development requires teachers to present their curriculum in a way that is culturally responsive and inclusive to special needs students and students who speak languages other than English.  

Hawley said that the state’s math curricula “helps the students gain efficacy.”