HOPE, AR, MAY 2, 2024 - On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, Hope Public School District’s School Improvement Specialist Dr. Carla Narlesky served on a three-person panel and spoke at the Arkansas Rural Education Network (AREN) meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas. An AREN grant provided by the Walton Foundation allowed a partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) to further strengthen curriculum implementation and leadership development initiatives. In addition to Dr. Narlesky, Dr. Nathan Morris, Superintendent of Cross County and Dr. Brenda Poole, Superintendent of Brinkley also served on the panel, which focused on the topics including:  Leadership pathways within school districts, AREN support of Instructional Leadership Teams, Professional Learning Communities and High Quality Instructional Materials.

In her presentation, Dr. Narlesky explained, “since the inception of the partnership, Hope Public Schools has been committed to enhancing educational outcomes through rigorous curriculum standards and effective leadership practices.” She worked with Robin Cornet, Senior Specialist for Arkansas at NIET, embarking on a journey to define rigor and establish instructional leadership team structures, vision, and goal setting.

Dr. Narlesky shared that as the partnership progressed, two distinct support structures emerged. Firstly, Hope Public Schools welcomed a service learning specialist to lead curriculum initiatives and navigate new testing information. This specialist works closely with educators to ensure standards-aligned unit planning and training, leveraging High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) in collaboration with NIET. Secondly, Dr. Narlesky refocused efforts on supporting the leadership development of administrators, facilitating monthly meetings and providing continuous coaching centered around effective learning strategies, curriculum standards, and instructional best practices.

She further explained, “the collaboration with NIET has facilitated vertical alignment across grade levels and buildings, ensuring consistency in learning objectives and expectations from administrative levels down to individual classrooms. Feedback gathered during planning sessions informs classroom observations, creating a seamless feedback loop that fosters continuous improvement.”

Under Dr. Narlesky’s guidance and leadership, the ongoing partnership with NIET underscores the importance of academic standards and the role of principals in connecting observations and feedback to classroom rigor. By nurturing relationships and fostering trust, Hope Public Schools empowers educators to contribute their ideas and collaborate effectively, creating a supportive environment where everyone's voice is heard.

"We are committed to learning together and moving in the same direction," said Dr. Narlesky.
As Hope Public Schools continues its journey towards educational excellence, the deepening partnership with NIET stands as a testament to its unwavering commitment to student success and instructional innovation.