Leading Transformational Change in Schools

Format

Workshop

Presenters

Dr. Kim C. Germany, AchieveNow, LLCFollow

First Presenter's Institution

AchieveNow, LLC

First Presenter’s Email Address

kim@drkimgermany.com

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Dr. Kim Germany is a passionate educator and transformational leader dedicated to improving student outcomes through data-driven decision-making and high-quality instructional practices. Raised by educator parents who valued learning and leadership, Dr. Germany witnessed firsthand the profound impact that dedicated teachers have on students, families, and communities. Her commitment to education was further solidified through personal experiences that highlighted the transformative power of education, reinforcing her mission to create exceptional opportunities for all children. With over 27 years of experience across diverse school environments, Dr. Germany has served as a Principal, Coordinator, Director, and Executive Director of Teaching and Learning. In these roles, she has successfully led initiatives to enhance academic achievement, build teacher and leader capacity, and retain effective educators through impactful professional learning. Dr. Germany excels in leveraging data to inform instructional practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and implementing innovative strategies that lead to significant academic growth and improved graduation rates. Dr. Germany holds advanced degrees in Educational Leadership, including a Doctorate of Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to collaboration, professional development, and evidence-based decision-making to drive educational success. She is dedicated to empowering new leaders with the skills and strategies necessary to create data-driven cultures within their schools.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Plimsoll

Strand #1

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Strand #2

Home: Family & Community Engagement

Relevance

1. Academic Achievement: Dr. Kim Germany's session focuses on transformational change leadership, which is crucial for driving academic success. By leveraging data-driven decision-making and high-quality instructional practices, Dr. Germany emphasizes the importance of evidence-based strategies to enhance academic achievement. Participants will learn how to foster a culture of continuous improvement and implement innovative strategies to achieve significant academic growth and improve graduation rates.
2. Leadership: The session will delve into transformational leadership principles, offering a comprehensive framework for building a shared vision and leading successful change initiatives. Attendees will gain insights into leadership strategies that build teacher and leader capacity, retain effective educators, and create data-driven cultures within schools. Dr. Germany's experience as a Principal, Coordinator, Director, and Executive Director of Teaching and Learning equips her to provide practical tools for new leaders to develop and implement sustainable practices.
3. Home (Family & Community Engagement):
4. Community Involvement: The presentation emphasizes the critical role of stakeholder engagement, including teachers, parents, and community members, in driving successful, lasting change. By building consensus and fostering collaboration, school leaders can align change initiatives with the needs of their school communities, enhancing community involvement. The session highlights strategies for fostering strong partnerships between schools and their surrounding communities, demonstrating how transformational change can lead to stronger community relationships and support for educational initiatives.
5. Family Engagement: Dr. Germany's approach underscores the importance of family engagement in school transformation efforts. By involving parents and families in the decision-making process and creating opportunities for their participation in school activities, leaders can cultivate a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for student success. The workshop will provide practical insights on how to effectively engage families, ensuring that they are active partners in the educational journey of their children.

Brief Program Description

How can school leaders effectively guide transformational change to improve educational outcomes and foster community partnerships? This session explores a framework for building a shared vision, engaging stakeholders, and implementing sustainable practices that enhance academic achievement and community involvement. Participants will learn strategies to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and align change initiatives with their school’s needs. Grounded in research from experts like Michael Fullan and John Kotter, this session provides practical tools and insights for leading successful, lasting change in schools.

Summary

This presentation provides a deep dive into the principles and practices of transformational change leadership in educational settings. Participants will explore strategies for articulating a clear vision, building consensus, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. The session will emphasize the importance of stakeholder engagement—including teachers, parents, and community members—in driving successful, lasting change. With a focus on both the “Head” and “Home” strands, the presentation will highlight the interconnectedness of academic achievement and community involvement, demonstrating how transformational change can lead to improved educational outcomes and stronger community partnerships. Attendees will learn how to develop and implement sustainable change initiatives that align with the needs of their school communities. Research on transformational leadership and change management underscores the effectiveness of these approaches in fostering school improvement and stakeholder buy-in, providing a solid foundation for the strategies discussed in this session.

Evidence

Studies by Michael Fullan, John Kotter, and others on transformational leadership and change management demonstrate that engaging stakeholders and fostering a shared vision are critical to successful school transformation.

Learning Objective 1

Understand the key principles of transformational leadership and their application in educational settings.

Learning Objective 2

Develop strategies to effectively engage diverse stakeholders in the change process.

Learning Objective 3

earn methods for implementing sustainable change practices that enhance both academic performance and community involvement.

Keyword Descriptors

Change leadership, transformational leadership, school transformation, stakeholder engagement, community involvement, sustainable practices, educational change, instructional leadership, leadership strategies, school improvement, academic excellence.

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-3-2025 2:45 PM

Recommended Citation

Germany, Dr. Kim C., "Leading Transformational Change in Schools" (2025). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 21.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2025/2025/21