EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP, EFFECTIVE SCHOOLS

[Blog post by Melissa Davis, Virtual Learning Consultant]

Interestingly, during this time of economic hardship, many best practices in e-Learning have emerged in North Carolina’s public schools. During recent site visits throughout Region 4, I witnessed educators who have embraced the digital learning era and are providing students with optimal access to online and blended learning opportunities. Many factors have influenced this shift in educating our young people. Perhaps the economic downturn forced educators to reevaluate modes of delivery, cost effectiveness of various programs, and implement best practices that are supported by data that tracks student success.

High flying districts across the state have embraced the digital age and are providing students with a variety of learning opportunities through the use of blended and online instruction. In my recent visits to Gaston County Public Schools, Union County Public Schools and Charlotte-Mecklenberg Public Schools, I noted several common threads in this paradigm shift taking place in education today.

What do these three districts have in common in relation to e-Learning? Each of these districts has students taking courses offered through the North Carolina Virtual Public School. These districts have effective leaders in place who enter the schools not to find problems, but to offer solutions. They recognize emerging issues and seek ways to resolve problems effectively while maintaining high academic standards. All three districts assign Distance Learning Advisors at the school level to help facilitate online learning, register students for classes, provide communication to parents and teachers, and provide support to students on a regular basis.

Each district’s online learning initiative is led by a Distance Learning Coordinator at the Central Office level who is constantly seeking ways in which to improve. Hope Johnston serves as the DLC in Charlotte-Mecklenberg; Chris Hall in Gaston County and Nichole Jackson in Union County. There is a strong correlation between student success in these districts and the effectiveness of the Distance Learning Coordinator/Distance Learning Advisors. While these individuals are responsible for multiple projects and programs and have extremely busy schedules, they have consistently made online learning a priority.

School size and demographics vary within these districts; however, school leaders have accepted the fact that digital learning provides students from rural communities to inner cities access to high quality courses in every subject area. Leaders in these districts monitor and track student success in NCVPS courses, then analyze the data to make informed decisions that benefit kids.

There are multiple layers to creating a strong support structure of online learning at the district level.

• First and foremost is strong, forward-thinking leadership. These leaders surround themselves with professionals who seek ways to be innovative and possess the skill set needed to implement quality blended opportunities for students.

• They command improved data systems and utilize data for informed decision making.

• District leaders, along with Distance Learning Coordinators, create buy-in among stake holders by modeling the use of various technological tools and create an atmosphere that is conducive to digital learning.

• Distance Learning Coordinators are champions of their profession and they offer professional development to Distance Learning Advisors and other staff members to familiarize them with NCVPS processes, district procedures and implementation of various online tools that enhance and simplify processes.

• DLCs maintain regular attendance in professional development provided by NCVPS Staff.

• These districts provide students with access to online opportunities with few reservations. They have reconciled themselves to the fact online learning is a key component in teaching the 21st Century student. They have embraced the digital learning era and seek ways in which to use technology and they are strong supporters of the North Carolina Virtual Public School.

• DLCs and DLAs market NCVPS course options to students and parents through PTA nights, curriculum planning guides, newsletters, faculty meetings and county-wide leadership meetings.

• District leaders, DLCs and DLAs model the use of various online tools to enhance instruction, communication, collaboration, etc..

• DLCs continuously provide NCVPS Staff with feedback and suggestions on how to improve processes.

• Principals in high flying schools are advocates of online learning and do not hesitate to enroll students in NCVPS courses.


New digital tools have become available for educators and there is a steady movement toward online learning. Many school leaders across the state have chosen to embrace this concept and implement strong support structures at the district level. North Carolina Virtual Public School provides students with online learning opportunities in multiple subject areas, Credit Recovery, modular components, and OCS, using a variety of teaching methods and best practices.