Montevallo Middle School and Montevallo High School will host a group from the Alabama State Department of Education and the Principal’s Leadership Network on Tuesday, December 9, where leaders will share best practices on how both schools are using data to drive school improvement.

The Principal’s Leadership Network is led by Dr. Steven Edwards, president and CEO of Edwards Educational national consulting services.  Dr. Edwards an award-winning administrator, speaker, trainer, and professor and the creator of the ED methods and products that have transformed schools throughout the nation.  He is currently acting as a consultant with the ALSDE, working with a group of principals to development leadership skills which they will be able to apply at their local schools.  

“This particular visit to MMS and MHS is focused on using data to drive improvement in schools,” said Dr. Wesley Hester, principal at MHS. “For instance at MMS, they use Global Scholar’s data to identify needs and address those needs with various programs, grouping systems for intervention and incentives for student motivation.  At MHS, we use our graduation data, attendance data, and culture data to drive improvements in these areas, which includes the development of various programs, initiatives, incentives, and a strong philosophical direction.”

The group will arrive at Montevallo Middle School at 8:00 a.m., where Principal Sheila Lewis will provide an overview on the school’s demographics, data, programs and initiatives.  Participants will then tour the school and visit classrooms from 8:40 to 9:30 a.m.  At 9:30, a leadership panel of MMS teachers and staff will lead the group in a time of discussion and questions/answers before they depart for their next visit at Montevallo High School at 10:00 a.m.

At MHS, the group will follow an identical schedule, starting with an overview of school’s demographics, data, programs, initiatives, and philosophy.  The group will also tour the school and classrooms before wrapping up their visit with a time of discussion and questions/ answers with Dr. Wesley Hester and the MHS teachers and staff.

“It is truly an honor that they have selected our two schools as model schools to visit,” said Dr. Hester. “Our teachers are all most worthy of being considered excellent examples of teachers and leaders!”