We are absolutely thrilled to announce the successful relaunch of our Teacher Leadership Program, a powerful initiative designed to elevate teacher voice, cultivate leadership, and ultimately, drive student achievement across our district!

The response has been nothing short of inspiring. With 145 applications for 103 available openings, the overwhelming enthusiasm from our educators clearly demonstrates a shared commitment to taking on leadership roles and directly impacting the quality of education in Urbandale. This level of engagement is a testament to the dedication of our teaching staff and their desire to contribute to a thriving educational environment for every student.

Empowering Teachers to Lead for Enhanced Student Learning:
Our refined Teacher Leadership Plan is intentionally designed to distribute leadership throughout our entire system, ensuring that teacher expertise directly informs our strategies for student growth. Here’s how these vital roles will amplify teacher voice and leadership, all centered on improving student learning and supporting our peer educators:

• Initial Teacher Peer Mentors: These experienced teachers provide essential guidance and support to our newest educators, fostering their confidence and effectiveness in the classroom for the benefit of student learning.
• Continuous Improvement Leads & Continuous Improvement Lead Plus: These leaders empower teams to use data to enhance student outcomes, facilitating collaborative professional learning to refine instructional practices for all students.
• Curriculum Leads: These roles give teachers a direct voice in shaping our curriculum, ensuring high-quality, aligned instruction that advances student achievement through collaboration and feedback.
• Induction Coaches: Focused on supporting new teachers’ development, these coaches provide individualized guidance to build foundational skills, ensuring our newest educators are confident and effective in fostering student success, while also supporting our Peer Mentors.
• Instructional Coaches: Embedded in every building, these coaches partner with teachers to design student-centered instruction, using data and collaborative planning to directly enhance student learning.
• PreK-12 Digital Learning Facilitator: This leader supports educators in effectively integrating technology, coaching staff to enhance student engagement and achievement through innovative digital learning strategies.
• PreK-12 Special Education Facilitator: This vital role guides both general and special education teams in delivering high-quality, specially designed instruction, ensuring inclusive and effective learning environments for all students.
• Curriculum Facilitators: These leaders drive professional development and curriculum implementation, ensuring that teaching practices are effectively adopted and sustained to advance both teaching and learning for students and educators.

We are incredibly excited about the commitment these leaders bring to amplify teacher voice, inspire growth, and directly contribute to student achievement across our entire district. We eagerly anticipate the tremendous positive impact this enhanced leadership model will have on our students, our staff, and the vibrant learning environment within Urbandale Schools!

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