Underdog Leadership: Driving Growth in High-Need Schools With Natasha Brown

How does a school move from a low-performing list to the top 5% in the state for academic growth? Natasha Brown, principal of Westover Middle School and author of Underdog Leadership, joins Daniel Rock and Erin Anderson Williams to discuss the "Three S’s" of school improvement: stance, systems and support. From data-driven PLCs to boisterous student restorative practices, Brown shares how she built a culture where students and teachers alike take pride in their progress.

Key Takeaways

• The Underdog Mentality: Why being the school nobody expects to win can be your greatest competitive advantage.
• Tuesday/Thursday PLCs: A specific system for separating "Data Days" from "Content Planning Days" to ensure intentional instruction.
• The "Three S's" Framework: Implementing a consistent focus on stance, systems and support to shift a school’s mindset.
• Distributed Leadership: Why empowering teacher leaders is the only way to avoid administrative burnout.
• The Writing Strategy: Using written statements as a tool for student voice and emotional regulation.
• Supporting the Whole Educator: Creative ways to treat staff like family, including an on-campus afterschool support system for teachers' children.

Resource Mentioned

• Underdog Leadership: Driving Growth in High-Need Schools by Natasha Brown (Available on Amazon).

The Southern Regional Education Board is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. 

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