Upton principal participates in UW program
This year, Weston County School District No. 7’s elementary and middle schools’ principal, Cliff Toole, who is in his second year leading the school, is doing some learning of his own.
Toole is receiving mentorship through the 307 Principal Leadership Academy, a University of Wyoming Trustees Education Initiative.
He told the News Letter Journal that staff seek to find “the 1 degree changes” that translate to substantial improvements for students, and that’s what he wants to discover through his participation in the academy, because he believes the principal should be “the first learner.”
“Each day I am a witness to the dedication our staff brings to ensuring students receive the best educational experience,” he said. “I’m very grateful for the privilege to lead this amazing team. They motivate me to improve my craft so that I can better support their efforts to ensure all students have a legendary experience at Upton Elementary/Middle School.”
In the Wyoming Principal Mentor Program, experienced principals receive training as mentors using the Mentoring Framework for Learning, a structured approach that encourages “a supportive professional community” and helps mentors guide new or aspiring school leaders through “real-world leadership challenges,” according to a Nov. 19 University of Wyoming press release.
The academy, which was launched with a conference July 25-26 in Casper, also involves statewide professional learning opportunities. Since then, there have been and will continue to be regional meetings about leadership skills, such as communication, reflection and “contextual awareness.”
“By supporting effective leadership, the 307 Principal Leadership Academy and Wyoming Principal Mentor Program hope to positively impact the quality of teaching and learning, as well as the job satisfaction and retention rates of Wyoming educators,” said Margaret Hudson, a University of Wyoming assistant professor in educational leadership who leads the program.
Toole is one of 43 new or aspiring principals who are receiving mentoring from 36 principal mentors, who are either in their first or second year of the program, according to a press release. Hudson said that Toole was paired with a veteran Wyoming administrator mentor, Sheridan County School District No. 3 Superintendent and Principal Chase Christensen. Toole and Christensen work together on a mentoring plan that includes meetings, goals, an action plan, a school visit and a “principal action research project.”
Toole said that he has gained a lot of “affirmations and reminders” through his participation.
“A focus on promoting a positive culture and climate is always at the forefront of my mind,” he said. “Together they set the tone for what happens day in and day out.”
He said the academy has also reinforced his belief that the school must help every student achieve high reading proficiency.
“Our students are good readers, but as a staff we are committed and driven to developing great readers,” he said.
Spending time with other principals has also been helpful, according to Toole.
“Through interactions with other principals, I’ve realized that we all struggle with the same issues,” he said. “At times you can feel isolated in the principal’s office.
It helps knowing that you have a network of peers that you can call upon to provide guidance.”
More information about the academy and its programs is at uwyo.edu/tei/principal-leadership-academy.html.