May LM 2024_1

Education Elevat g

Talley ... cont’d. Students, parents and community members now have the option to receive eight therapy sessions at no cost. Since last Fall, more than 2,000 sessions have been scheduled. Hours have expanded from after school and weekends through the use of telemental health. “We’ve had parents tell us the therapy sessions have been a game changer for their child,” Dr. Talley said. “One parent even told us it has allowed him to have a relationship with his child again. It goes to show how meaningful this initiative has been and how much our students and family need that extra level of mental health support.” Dr. Talley also led the district through the development of its first Strategic Plan. During the process, stakeholder groups identified four priorities: • Focus on student development • Invest in staff • Engage in the community • Optimize resources and operations “A Strategic Plan helps you stay focused on what’s important and not try to go out and chase shiny objects,” Dr. Talley said. “Everyone knows our goals, and I can be evaluated by my Board on those goals.” Dr. Talley has also been instrumental in the development of an Equity Plan, which helps keep the district focused on ensuring all students are supported and heard. “My why for being an educator has always been to ensure all students have options and are in the driver’s seat after they leave us,” Dr. Talley said. “Our Strategic Plan provides students with options and our Equity Plan ensures all students have choices.”

Hodge ... cont’d.

City CUSD #1, Marion CUSD #2, Crab Orchard CUSD #3, Herrin CUSD #4 and Carterville CUSD #5. Services provided include speech and language support, specialized instruction for students with moderate to severe deficits in cognitive disabilities and communication disorders, STRIVE and Structure Programs, deaf and hard of hearing, early childhood care, psychological and social work and therapy. In addition, WCSED is the fiscal agent for the Perkins federal grant, which provides funding for career and technical education programs at the host schools. “We employ as a co-op all things related to special ed and utilize blending and braiding of different programs and funding sources,” Hodge said. “It works well because we’ve built great relationships and trust one another. It’s a very cohesive team.” Hodge is also a member of the Vision 2030 Student Success Workgroup. Over the past eight months, the representatives of the Vision 2030 Working Group have engaged in deep discussions on education policy and issues that have shaped priority platforms for Vision 2030. Furthermore, Hodge has been an active member in the IASA Shawnee Region and is Past President of the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education. The network of special education leaders works to empower members through professional learning, leadership, and advocacy. Lastly, Hodge was appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker to serve on the Gender Equity Advisory Committee.

Got Great School Videos? Send your school videos with a short description

to jnevel@iasaedu.org. We want to highlight what’s going on in your school districts on our magazine’s Videos from the Districts page.

Monthly e-magazine of Leadership Matters

19

LM May 2024