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8:01 a.m., Aug. 4, 2009----Best known for providing professional development for educators throughout Delaware, the Delaware Academy for School Leadership (DASL) also serves educators on the West Indies island of Tobago.
A unit of the University of Delaware's College of Education and Public Policy, DASL helps schools and districts translate research into practice, strengthening educational leadership and promoting student achievement.
For two weeks in July, five DASL staff members brought this work to Tobago, training 75 principals, teacher leaders and supervisors who represented more than 80 percent of all the schools on the island.
This program is a result of the partnership former Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner established with Trinidad and Tobago. Although this twin island nation is approximately the size of Delaware, just five percent of its population resides in Tobago.
In June 2008, 10 Tobagonians traveled to the University of Delaware for a two-week training institute. DASL staff then visited Tobago twice to support these leaders in implementing new strategies.
“Working with DASL has made many concepts and ideas come alive for me,” said Belinda Dillon, a member of this original cohort. “In particular, the use of walkthroughs as a strategy for data collection, especially in providing an overview of instructional practices in the classroom, was revolutionary.”
The July 2009 Tobago Training Institute marked a major expansion of this partnership.
“The level of participation and enthusiasm was extraordinary,” said DASL associate and UD adjunct instructor Sharon Brittingham. “You would never have known Tobago's school year had just ended.”
Participants learned about instructional and leadership practices proven by research to improve schools. Specific topics included supervising staff, engaging students, building a community among teachers and using school time effectively. Each leader developed a plan for action when schools reopen in four weeks. Leaders also worked together in regional and school-level teams to foster continuing collaboration.
According to Tobago's assistant chief education coordinator Elinore King, “The training provided an opportunity for self-assessment. Each participant used the process as a means of enhancing his or her leadership effectiveness.”
Teacher leader Sandra Dee George agreed. “The two weeks of training broadened my understanding of the role of the principal as instructional leader,” she said. “The training provided insights into instructional strategies that work. I will be working with my principal to implement what we learned so that our school can become a high achieving school.”
Schools in Tobago and Delaware share this goal of student achievement. Dennis Loftus, the director of DASL and an assistant professor in UD's School of Education, stated, “DASL is honored to work with these talented leaders in Tobago. They are as concerned about the future of their children as we are here, and we face many similar challenges. Our staff is sharing creative, research-based strategies and at the same time gathering new ideas for Delaware.”
DASL plans to return to Tobago in October.
Article by Hilary Mead and Emily Poag