S = Support
The S in TEPSA stands for supervisors, but as supervisors, we should shift the S to support. Supervisors in public school education play a critical role in supporting the success of school principals. Authentic and genuine support from a supervisor fosters a collaborative and empowering environment where principals can lead effectively.
In my role as the Director of School Supports, I have the opportunity to support principals in navigating ESSA federal program requirements and driving continuous improvement at both the campus and district level. Some of the areas of support include:
- Deepening an understanding of ESSA federal programs through professional learning related to state and local accountability systems, campus improvement plans, and effectively using federal funds ensuring compliance.
- Fostering data-driven decision-making by supporting principals on how to effectively analyze student data and using evidence of success to determine areas of strengths and areas of growth.
- Building campus improvement teams that lead to an authentic culture of shared leadership.
- Celebrating successes when schools and principals meet intended goals.
- Embracing challenges principals and schools face as they work towards continuous improvement.
By actively supporting principals in navigating the complexities of ESSA and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, supervisors can empower schools to effectively serve all students to reach their full potential. However, there are some key principles to keep in mind.
1. Building Trust and Open Communication
Building strong, trusting relationships is vital for effective supervision and support. Creating open and honest communication channels where principals feel comfortable sharing challenges, successes, and concerns without fear of judgment is imperative for a supervisor. To build a strong, trusting rapport, a platform for open dialogue should be established through regular meetings, both formal and informal.
2. Providing Meaningful Professional Learning Opportunities
High-quality professional learning opportunities must be sought out, tailored, and delivered to the specific needs of principals at the hands of supervisors. This could include workshops on instructional leadership, data-driven decision-making, school improvement planning, conflict resolution, and building a positive school culture.
3. Partnering for Resources and Support
Supervisors should partner with principals for the resources they need to succeed. This includes supporting principals for a variety of things such as ensuring adequate staffing levels, securing sufficient funding for school operations, and providing resources tailored to specific student needs.
4. Empowering School-Based Decision Making
Supervisors should empower principals to make decisions at the school level while providing appropriate guidance and support. This includes:
- Allowing principals the authority to make decisions regarding school operations, staffing, and teaching and learning.
- Supporting principals to create a collaborative decision-making process that involves teachers, staff, and parents.
- Recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of principals and their schools.
As supervisors, leading with a supportive mindset can lead to improved student outcomes, a more positive school climate, and a stronger, more resilient school through an empowered and thriving principal.
Dr. Manuel Gonzales, Jr is the Director of School Supports in Frisco ISD. He has served in education for 25 years with 22 of those years in Frisco. He has been a classroom teacher and elementary assistant principal and served eight years as an elementary K-5 principal. Dr. Gonzales has been a member of TEPSA since 2005 and served as the president in 2017. He currently serves on the TEPSA Nominating Committee.
