Leadership

Memphis City Schools is focused on evaluating schools using measurable student achievement data and developing teacher talent. As part of this development, teachers are being evaluated using the new Teacher Effectiveness Measure (TEM), the largest component of which is classroom observations. In the first half of the 2011-12 school year, over 6,500 teacher observations were completed using the new TEM model. The goal of the observations is not only to evaluate teachers but also to provide consistent and constructive feedback teachers can use to improve their craft. Success of the new model and implementing the district wide changes will be contingent on strong leadership at the school level. The programs developed by the Teacher Effectiveness Initiative (TEI) were piloted in the Striving Schools Zone (SSZ), allowing principals to gain unique implementation experience last year in using the new model. While great teachers are what make great schools, strong leaders are an important component to making sure all teachers reach their full potential. The High Priority schools have the great leaders needed to implement these changes.

The Striving School Zone is led by Dr. Roderick Richmond, MCS’ Chief of School Operations. Dr. Richmond is a veteran of Memphis City schools having served as a principal at Ross Elementary and Ridgeway Middle before taking on the role of Academic Superintendent of the Striving Schools at the beginning of the 2007-08 school year.

As a teacher, your daily leader will be a school principal, and the High Priority schools have some of the best principals in the city. Many of them were trained through New Leaders for New Schools or the National Urban Education Center’s Executive Leadership Program. All principals of High Priority schools participate in the Instructional Culture Survey which provides constructive feedback on the support they are offering their staff members and identifies areas for improvement.