Weekly Superintendent Spotlight: Uplifting News and Stories from the IEI Family

Building a Strong Culture for Teacher Retention with Dr. Todd Dugan

Dr. Todd Dugan’s district achieved a 100% teacher retention rate last year, a success he attributes to a comprehensive new teacher induction program. This program, introduced in the early weeks of employment, includes professional development (PD), peer observation, and access to a part-time instructional technology coach. He emphasizes that a strong district culture, alongside opportunities for PD and collaboration, is key to retaining staff.;

Click here to read some tips on how Dr. Dugan and others are able to retain their educators.

Dr. Barbara Mullen Launches Learning Leadership Lab to Foster Internal Growth and Improve Teacher Retention

Superintendent Dr. Barbara Mullen has announced the launch of the district's first-ever Learning Leadership Lab, designed to strengthen the leadership pipeline and improve teacher retention. This initiative focuses on cultivating leadership from within, ensuring that future leaders are already embedded in the district's culture. By investing in internal talent, Rush Henrietta CSD aims to provide students with the best possible leadership while supporting and retaining dedicated teachers.

Dr. George Philhower Leads Transformation: Fostering Growth Through Reflective Teacher Evaluations

Teacher evaluations often become a perfunctory process focused on test scores and quantitative measures, which fail to improve student outcomes or teacher development. In Dr. George Philhower’s district, a reimagined evaluation system prioritizes teacher growth through self-assessment, continuous feedback, and goal-setting. Teachers reflect on their strengths and areas for support, while administrators focus on collaboration rather than judgment. This new approach, implemented in 2023, has fostered a more transparent, supportive environment, empowering educators to enhance their skills and improve student learning.