Today's conversation marks 1/4 of the way to our goal of #100DistrictConversations!

I had so much fun talking with and learning from Baninder Goomer, Chief Academic Officer of Elementary Education at Edison Township Public Schools in New Jersey. Conversation #25 centered on the power of stability and collaboration. When district leaders stick around, trust in professional learning grows, deepening its collaborative nature and impact. Thank you Simmi Goomer for the introduction!

"My philosophy centers on three core principles: listening, transparency, and collaborative growth. First, I prioritize listening through direct engagement with teachers and students, which looks like regular classroom visits and open communication channels, including a teacher-led teaching and learning committee. We tailor our strategies to meet their needs and ensure our initiatives are grounded in teachers’ real-world experiences.

Second, I believe in transparency. Clear and consistent communication eliminates surprises and builds trust. We plan our professional learning initiatives far in advance, allowing teachers to anticipate and prepare. For example, our two-year focus on curiosity encourages teachers to 'throw the playdoh on the ceiling'. Statements like these reinforce for teachers that classrooms are a safe space for experimentation and innovation as long as we are intentional in reflecting on the 'why' behind our instructional decisions. To this end, we're also embracing AI by providing internal professional development on using AI for lesson planning, empowering teachers to leverage these tools effectively.

Collaborative growth is our model for continuous improvement. We observe and evaluate our progress through annual learning walks. We've developed an in-house evaluation tool that emphasizes rigor and collaboration, and we reinforce these principles through summer orientation for new staff. Our building-level instructional coaches play a vital role in how we scale collaboratively, receiving both daily guidance from principals and monthly district-level alignment.

I've learned that stability and thoughtful evolution are key to fostering a thriving educational environment in our schools. While leadership changes are inevitable, maintaining a consistent vision and empowering our dedicated elementary team has been crucial.

Structurally, we approach professional learning as a collaborative process. I present initial ideas, and then work closely with teachers and administrators to refine and implement them. We often break down professional development into grade-level bands, allowing for targeted support and shared learning.

While we handle most professional learning in house, we are proactive in addressing emerging needs. For example, we are transitioning to Apple products this year and bringing in external experts to provide device-specific training, ensuring our staff have the necessary skills. I also believe highlighting innovative practices through our district newsletter."