Kent County District Partnerships
School systems throughout Kent County in Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan have partnered with Leading Educators since 2017 to enhance academic achievement for all students, especially those facing economic disadvantages.Â
About the Partnerships
Kent County schools are determined to prepare scholars for the real world.
However, to capitalize on these strengths and address challenges, leaders understand that they must meet students’ holistic needs, optimize and value all school options, ensure equitable access and outcomes, enhance curriculum and program opportunities, cultivate a more engaged, impactful, and diverse workforce, and create a culture of trust, collaboration, and stewardship.
The Challenge
Data and evidence indicate a critical need for intervention in Kenowa Hills (3,110 students) and Kelloggsville Schools (2,238 students). Last year, state benchmark scores revealed alarmingly low reading proficiency across Kent County, with only 50% of students demonstrating literacy proficiency.
At the school level, school principals predominantly assume managerial roles, raising a need for a shift in focus and skills needed to be more of an instructional leader providing feedback and development to teachers. Principals need help to do this work.
The Solution
Leading Educators is partnering with Kenowa Hills and Kelloggsville Schools to establish principal and district/school leader professional learning communities (PLCs) focused on instructional leadership, equity, literacy practices, and sustainable systems.
- We also provide collaborative observational walkthroughs with school leaders to ensure teachers can access calibrated observations and instructional feedback.
- We design and facilitate dedicated professional development days for staff to enhance literacy instruction while coaching and supporting school leaders to build their capacity as instructional leaders.
If these behaviors take hold and outcomes are reached, the systems will build institutional knowledge and skills, ultimately leading to improved student outcomes far into the future.
Scaling Strong Practice
This partnership aims to build leadership capacity and sustainable structures throughout the system to share, spread, and support work beyond individual classrooms. These schools in Kent County aspire to create a legacy of school and district leadership that prioritizes precise and informed classroom practices.
With instructional leaders who have a strong grasp of fair practices, students will see enhanced learning outcomes. This legacy signifies leaders with in-depth knowledge and skills to provide valuable support to teachers using research-based instructional strategies specific to literacy, science, and social studies.
LE engages principal and district leader PLCs on topics such as vision, the opportunity myth, literacy instruction, disciplinary knowledge, equity, and culturally responsive education.
Additionally, regular classroom visits, artifact analysis, and 4-5 touchpoints for Kenowa Hills Schools, along with 8-10 touchpoints for Kelloggsville Schools, ensure robust strategic advising.
Kelloggsville experiences three targeted staff PD days focusing on disciplinary literacy and enhancing knowledge in Science and Social Studies.
Principals receive dedicated coaching support for instructional leadership. Additionally, support in Kelloggsville includes coaching for 3-4 teams of pilot teachers aligning with research-based practices for impactful instructional practices.
Our Reach
9,161 Students
holistic needs are being met
60 Teachers
supported to improve their instructional practices
13 Schools
supported in moving students to grade-level proficiency
Meet The Team
Mary Kay Murphy
Dr. Keli Swearingen
Tina De La Fe
About Mary Kay Murphy
Before joining Leading Educators, Mary Kay held the roles of teacher, principal, instructional coach, and district consultant. Mary Kay also gained experience working at two other national non-profits, Partners in School Innovation and The Education Trust-Midwest.
Mary Kay holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Aquinas College and an M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Grand Valley State University.
Fun facts: One of her favorite simple joys in life is a good cup of coffee in the morning, and after dinner, She thinks out loud and talks with her hands, and sends Snapchats of the dogs to her three kids every day.
Mary Kay Murphy in the news
About Dr. Keli Swearingen
For the past 12 years, Keli has directly supported charter schools and regions with two fervent beliefs: master educators are made through years of deliberate coaching and support; and educational equality requires teachers, coaches, and leaders to pivot our practices, adapt, and maintain the resilience needed to persevere through the work required to alter-reality and provide equitable opportunity. Throughout her work with KIPP Public Schools and Democracy Prep Public Schools, Keli supported K-12 alignment, assessment, teacher and instructional leader development and coaching. Keli has a background in assessment and measurement, which she used to lead the development of next generation assessments for ELA and math, as well as aligned data-driven instructional protocols that support implementation of standards aligned curriculum and strategic interventions.
Keli founded Ascend’s second elementary school in Brownsville (serving as school director) and later coached data and analytics for all schools in the Ascend Learning network. Keli was a research fellow at the Florida Center for Reading Research and an Ed Psych and Classroom Assessment instructor for FSU’s College of Education. She has a master’s in library science and a doctorate in educational psychology. Keli started this journey as a Teach For America corps member teaching high school ELA in New Orleans (CM ’02).
Keli is from Panama City, Florida and currently resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When not nerding out on instruction and assessment, Keli enjoys spending time with her wife, Norah. She also enjoys working on Jeeps, playing music (bass and kit), watching Florida State football (Go Noles!), and watching Saints football (Who Dat!).
About Tina De La Fe
Previously, Tina was an instructional coach and ELA teacher in South Florida, including two years as a Teach for America corps member. She also taught Math and Verbal post-secondary exam courses at Florida Atlantic University. While in the U.S. Peace Corps in the West Indies, Tina worked on projects including after-school learning centers, libraries and adult education classes.
Tina holds a Masters of Education from Florida Atlantic University and a B.A. in English-Journalism/Communications from Averett College. She holds certifications in English, Reading and School Guidance Counseling, and was proud to be a finalist for the 2016 GLSEN Educator of the Year Award.
Tina De La Fe in the news
Related Stories
Hear directly from Kent County educators and leaders about ways partnership is building their capacity to get great results for students!
Learn About Other Partnerships
This network is just one of a dozen partnerships across the country that are pushing the boundaries of what schools can offer students. Learn more about how we customize our supports to meet the needs and strengths of visionary districts.
