OASSP / OMLEA

Will Parker, OASSP/OMLEA Executive Director

As we look back on the first semester, Oklahoma secondary and middle level leaders have worked tirelessly during a global pandemic to provide meaningful learning for their students across the state. Our state is a unique blend of rural, suburban and urban communities. And the approaches to hybrid, in-person, fulltime virtual, and blended models have been just as varied.

Throughout the semester, communication among association members has also shifted. Instead of traveling across the state in visits to Oklahoma regions, we attended more virtual meetings or visited with OASSP/OMLEA members by phone or via text messaging. In the OASSP/OMLEA weekly newsletter, readers have been receiving updates from principals as well.

Here are a few highlights from OASSP/OMLEA executive committee members checking in during September and October:

“The smaller class sizes have given teachers and students the opportunity to build deeper relationships and given the teachers the opportunity to really get to know students. I have a population of full time virtual students who are so far behind and will not earn credit - it is a challenge not having them at school to help them structure their time. Our numbers are still good, kids and staff are doing a great job keeping themselves and others safe at school. Challenges come with students who have figured out the system of having to quarantine.”

— Kim Coody, OASSP Past President, Glenpool High School

“Our teachers have completed two common formative assessments, and we have students that have been enrolled for RTI the next few weeks. We have found that the number of students needing RTI for these first two CFA’s has dropped significantly from the previous year. This month is also National Bullying Month, so our STUCO and counselor are leading the charge. Tension is running with everyone including parents, faculty, and staff. With the CARES Incentive Act, we are offering free counseling to all of these people… We are going to set ACT achievement goals for our district and then vertically align our curriculum by taking a deeper look at our essential standards that line up with our ACT goals.”

— Kyle Hilterbran, OMLEA Northwest Region Director, Clinton Middle School

“On a positive note, we had good participation at parent/ teacher conferences. We offered a choice of face-to face meetings, Zoom calls or telephone conferences. Our teachers felt additional options garnered more parent contacts. This is yet another unintended consequence of COVID-19. We may continue with conference choices moving forward. Finally, since we instituted a mask mandate for students and staff, our number of positive cases at the school has significantly decreased. The data supports the need to wear face coverings.”

— Chris LeGrande, OASSP State Coordinator, Guthrie High School

National Principals Month

On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, NASSP recognized the 2020 State Principals of the Year, including OASSP’s 2019-2020 Oklahoma High School Principal of the Year, Chris LeGrande, Guthrie High School. Each year, NASSP honors outstanding principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrated exemplary contributions to their schools and their communities. In addition, Superintendent Hofmeister and Governor Stitt’s offices recognized October as Principals Month. On Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Superintendent Joy Hofmeister delivered a proclamation from OSDE to the CCOSA office where it was received by Mr. Glen Abshere, OAESP Executive Director and Dr. Pam Deering, CCOSA/OASA Executive Director.

New Principals Academy

Sixty-two administrators are currently participating in CCOSA’s New Principals Academy. Mr. Glen Abshere, OAESP Executive Director, and I have facilitated trainings once a month throughout first semester via Zoom. Attendees have had interactive discussions on topics essential for developing understanding and knowledge of the leadership role at the school level, including topics such as: establishing vision, cultivating positive school culture, completing accreditation reports, managing difficult conversations and educator self-care. Each month practicing principals or other education experts provide feedback and answer questions.

Coaching and Supporting Principals

CCOSA has launched a new professional learning opportunity for those who support or coach principals. During the summer and fall months, Mr. Glen Abshere and I completed NAESP’s National Mentor Training and Certification Program. As a result, we have collaborated to provide a two-day training for Principals or Central Office Administrators who want practical tools and strategies for guiding and coaching the work of building administrators. If you’re interested in this new training, reach out by email at parker@ ccosa.org to find out more.

OASSP/OMLEA Combined Conference

For the past two years OASSP/ OMLEA have hosted a combined conference in February focusing on secondary school leadership as well as best practices for middlelevel educators. The OASSP/OMLEA executive committees have made the difficult decision to not to hold a conference this February. We miss seeing you and hope we can do that safely soon!

TeleLEAD

Join us for the CCOSA’s and OSU Tele-ECHO bi-monthly virtual meetings, TeleLEAD, for discussion on best practices for elementary and secondary principals. These Zoom meetings occur the first and third Wednesdays of the month at noon. Each TeleLEAD takes a look at real-life case studies of principals and follows with a didactic on the topic discussed. Recommendations are solicited from the participants.

TeleLEAD ECHO Hub Team members include:

Julie Bloss, Principal, Grove Early Childhood Center

Eric Fox, Associate Principal, Jenks High School

Kas Nelson, Principal, Vici Elementary School

Stephanie Williams, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Norman Public Schools

Facilitators:

Glen Abshere, Executive Director, Oklahoma Association of Elementary School Principals (OAESP)

Will Parker, Executive Director. Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals (OASSP) and Oklahoma Middle Level Education Association (OMLEA)