When schools resume instruction this fall, most students will have been absent from the classroom (and without direct access to teachers, peers, and other school-based supports) for upwards of six months. In addition to addressing significant learning loss, school leaders will need to carefully consider how to address students' social, emotional, and mental health needs when schools reopen—whether for remote, in-person, or hybrid instruction—in the fall.
As leaders well-versed in these issues on the ground, principals are uniquely positioned to leverage school-wide strategies to provide these academic and social and emotional supports.
Join us and NAESP for a moderated discussion with principals who are focused on leveraging strategies to support school-wide social and emotional development systems. Panelists will discuss how they are using their existing relationships with students and families to better meet students’ academic, social, and emotional needs when in-person instruction resumes, and how they plan on using class time when students are actually in their seats. The discussion will also center on the challenges involved with school closures this spring, what principals learned from this experience, and how it will guide their work going forward.
Objectives
- Gain a working knowledge of the variety of approaches being used by principals of public, charter, and private high-poverty schools to meet students’ various academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs when schools reopen this fall.
- Learn best practices and practical strategies principals are utilizing to determine students’ needs and how school leaders are marshaling resources and positioning staff to respond to these needs.
- Have the opportunity to ask questions of other educational leaders grappling with the tough decisions involved with reopening schools.
Featured Speakers
- Adam Tyner, Thomas B. Fordham Institute (moderator)
- Ty Bell, Terra Verde Discovery School, Oklahoma
- Amy Mason, Madison County Elementary School, Alabama
- Tameka Royal, Uncommon Schools North Star Academy, New Jersey
- Dave Wick, Columbia Falls Schools District 6, Montana
Panelist Bios
Ty Bell has served the students of Oklahoma in public and private schools for the past 31 years. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Cameron University, and his Master of Education Degree in Administration, Curriculum, and Supervision from The University of Oklahoma. He is currently the Assistant Head of Schools at Terra Verde Discovery School in Norman, OK. Ty also serves on the advisory committee for the Oklahoma City Memorial and Museum.
During her nineteen years in public education, Amy Mason has worked as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. She taught students in grades 1st-4th in Arizona, Indiana, Virginia and Maryland. In 2012, Amy and her husband moved to Huntsville, Alabama where Amy is now honored to serve as the principal at Madison County Elementary School. Amy states that she has enjoyed many personally and professionally satisfying experiences especially the opportunity to lead two schools through all phases of becoming Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.
Tameka Royal has dedicated her life to the excellent education and development of all children. She has spent the past 7 years as Principal at North Star Academy Fairmount Elementary School. Prior to joining North Star Academy in Newark, NJ, Tameka worked in education in Cleveland, Ohio, Ithaca, NY, Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA as a TFA Corp Member, and New York, NY where, in 2012, while doing turnaround work, she was honored as Teacher of the Year. Tameka prides herself on innovation and truly seeing each and every child, family, and educator she serves.
A school administrator for more than 25 years, Dave Wick served as principal and director of elementary education at Columbia Falls Junior High School in Columbia Falls, Montana. Dave Wick believes that the principal has the greatest impact on school culture and because of this outlook, he has dedicated his career to not only his students and faculty but also to his colleagues in education. He just completed serving in the leadership role of NAESP president and will step into a new leadership role as the superintendent of Columbia Falls Schools District 6 for the upcoming school year.
