Page 8 - 21V03w_Neat

Consistency Is Key
Early on, Wofford’s team recognized the importance of consistency and transparency in leadership and a clear strategic vision for a
community that has endured near constant change and transitions. “Making sure that you’re communicating with your staff, making sure
that you’re communicating with your parents… that you’re communicating with your community…and when that communication does
come out that you are doing exactly what you said that you’re going to do,” explained Eller.
Keeping teachers plugged into what the strategic vision is for their school and the district and involving them in strategic planning and
understanding and using data helped facilitate buy-in from other teaching staff and increased the inclusion of different perspectives,
viewpoints and backgrounds in the districts’ decision-making processes. “We told them what we were going to do and then we backed
it up and then we did it,” said Wofford. For this district, follow-through has proved immensely valuable in building the necessary trust
between leadership, school staff, parents and students.
Ultimately, an emphasis on a clear, consistent strategic vision and the importance of forging relationships has helped Chickasaw City
Schools build efficient and effective systems that can weather challenges, during and after the pandemic.

Contacts: David Wofford, dwofford@chickasawschools.com; Michele Eller, meller@chickasawschools.com

About Our All-Virtual 2021 Making Schools Work Conference

Check out a sneak peak of our animated virtual venue! https://vimeo.com/525631014

Student achievement begins with you. Join us at the 2021 Making Schools Work Conference, which will now be held as an
all-virtual event.

Virtual attendees will have complete access to 130+ live and on-demand sessions during the conference, including our opening and
closing keynotes and general sessions as well as many of our most popular regular sessions.
Virtual attendees will continue to have on-demand access to all 130+ sessions and our virtual eBag for session handouts, presentation
materials and special offers from conference partners for more than 30 days after the conference, increasing the value of this option.
During the live event, kick back, have fun and win conference swag and other cool prizes at our virtual reception and prize giveaway.
Drop into our virtual lounge to chat with friends, join a professional learning community or network with conference partners. Our virtual
experience also includes games, hands-on project-based learning, a virtual escape room, virtual industry tours and more special surprises!
Learn more and register now! sreb.org/register

Southern Regional Education Board I Promising Practices Newsletter I 21V03w I SREB.org 8