Written by Kristen Haurin
At Democracy Prep Public Schools, we work to be a learning organization that consistently revisits our practices and iterates them for improvement on behalf of our scholars. Since going virtual, we are aiming to share both what we have quickly learned about being remote along with general best practices that we have developed over time.
So far, we have heard from:
• Our Chief People Officer, Lisa Friscia, about talent development
• Our Assistant Superintendent, Duncan Scherer, about our network priority of purpose over power
• Our Superintendent, Steve Popper, and our Senior Director of K-12 Curriculum & Assessments, Margaret Marrer, about remote learning
• Our Director of Leadership Development, Ajaka Roth, our Assistant Director of Leadership Development, Evan Burns, along with two of our Leader U Fellows, Bryan Stroud and Danielle Alicastro, about virtual coaching
• Our New York Recruiters, Kathryn Fleckenstein and Hadiza Kassim, about virtual interviewing.
We are excited to continue sharing and hope you will come learn with us during one of our upcoming sessions!
Upcoming Virtual Learning Sessions with Democracy Prep
Best Practices in Online Interviewing, 5PM on 4/21: We’re committed to developing our team for our mission of college success & a life of active citizenship for all scholars. This starts with hiring the right candidates through a thoughtful structured interview. We’ve shifted our interviews to be entirely virtual & want to make sure you are set up for success as a candidate in this process. Come hear from our Recruiters, Katie Fleckenstein & Hadiza Kassim, as they discuss what to expect from & how to prepare for virtual teacher interviews. This session will be on 4/14 & 4/21 at 5PM EDT. RSVP for either here.
DPPS College Persistence, 5PM on 4/23: Democracy Prep Public School’s (DPPS) mission is to educate responsible citizen-scholars for success in the college of their choice and a life of active citizenship. How do we accomplish that mission? Join a conversation with our Vice President of College Access and Success, Ralph Johnson, as he shares how the network-based college access and success team (CAST) works with college counseling teams in each school, and how we engage DPPS alumni and college partners to help our scholars achieve that mission. You can RSVP for this event here.
Building Adult Culture in a Remote World, 5PM on 4/28: Democracy Prep knows that our people are key to our mission of college success and active citizenship for our scholars. While adapting to current events has not been easy, we are innovating ways to build a mission-driven, joyful adult culture in our remote world. Come hear from our Chief People Officer, Lisa Friscia, as she shares our steps toward bringing staff closer together during social distancing. You can RSVP for this event, happening on 4/28 at 5PM EDT, here.
Educating ALL Scholars, 5PM on 4/30: At Democracy Prep, we know meaningful access to education via specialized services is an integral part of a well-rounded education and active citizenship. Our Academic Collaboration Team teachers receive special education and english language learner – specific professional development & coaching, and play a pivotal role in developing the focus of their craft for positive scholarly outcomes. Come hear from our Academic Collaboration Team Director, Ellie Grose, as she discusses how Democracy Prep is working to increase the impact of specialized education in the charter sector, and how you may be able to join our efforts! You can RSVP for this event here.
Arts Education at DPPS, 5PM on 5/7: Democracy Prep believes meaningful engagement with the arts is an integral part of a well-rounded education and active citizenship. Through our core arts classes we grow each scholar’s capacities to think critically, communicate fluently, and take informed, creative action within multiple artistic disciplines. Arts teachers receive arts-specific professional development, and play a pivotal role both in growing their own programs and DPPS Arts network support systems. Come hear from our Arts Education Director, Brian Duran, as he discusses how Democracy Prep is working to increase the impact of arts education in the charter sector, and how you may be able to join our efforts! You can RSVP for this event here.