Unit 40 Educators to Present at Leadership Summits

Two Unit 40 leadership teams have been selected to participate in two leadership summits associated with the US Department of Education.

One Unit 40 team comprised of both teachers and administrators has been invited to attend the Powered by Teach to Lead Summit this coming Monday in Bloomington. Only a small number of districts across the state were asked to share their district's Teacher Leadership plans. The team will present the Unit 40 Teacher Leadership plan to a group of leading state and national educators for feedback.

An additional group of educators from Effingham High School have been invited to attend a Teach To Lead Innovation Through Leadership Summit in Columbus, Ohio on May 5-7. The EHS group will share their plans concerning innovation learning with a national group of educators.

At both events, these teams will work on continued refinement of their plans for implementation.

Unit 40 Superintendent Mark Doan stated, "Having not one but two groups of Unit #40 educators shows the high level of respect, both state-wide and regionally, that Effingham Unit #40 has earned. This also is a testament to the determination of our staff and administration to continually provide Unit #40 students excellent learning opportunities. Receiving invitations to both of these prestigious summits sets Effingham Unit #40 apart from other districts across the Midwest in the area of Teacher Leadership. We are very proud of staff and administration in the Unit #40 family."

“It is an honor to be selected to attend Teach to Lead. Using creativity and innovation in my classroom has enabled me to engage and celebrate each student in the lessons and enable them to demonstrate mastery of the skills being taught using individual talents such as art, welding, technology, and music. The program allows educators to spotlight individual talents while still adhering to rigorous learning standards,” said Effingham High School Teacher and lead author of the Teach to Lead Innovation and Creativity application Becca Mitchell.

“Teacher leadership serves as a powerful, transformational vehicle that develops each individual's self-efficacy and interpersonal skills necessary for creating a collaborative culture not only within our district, but throughout our community,” expressed South Side Grade School teacher and lead author of the Teach to Lead Teacher Leadership application Abra Woomer. “Ultimately this paradigm that celebrates the students, the Unit 40 team, and the community will promote 21st century learners that are ready for a global stage and a team of educators and administrators who will globally serve as a spotlight district.”

Technology Integrationist Julie Flack commented, “As a teacher leader, collaborating with teachers and administrators provides the best educational experience for our students because it allows all involved to bring diverse expertise to the table.”

“Being a part of the Teach to Lead summit will give me the opportunity to be a change agent in my district. I can assume greater responsibility and help foster a positive climate in the district for the challenges that lie ahead in education,” commented Central Grade School Teacher Becky Peno.