This article is part of a series highlighting the presentations given at the 2021 eLumaNation Summit, held virtually September 30 – October 1, 2021
“Never has there been another time in history where most educators around the world jumped into action to reinvent how classrooms and schools function.” – Piper Riddle, Ed.S
A learner first, leader second — that’s how Piper Riddle would describe her approach to leadership. Piper is in her 9th year as an elementary school principal and her 24th year in education. She has also served as a classroom teacher, an instructional coach, a curriculum specialist, an instructional PD facilitator, and an adjunct professor. Piper is passionate about student-centered learning, evidence based instruction, and restorative practices. Piper’s favorite role is that of student. She has an Ed.S. from Utah State U, a M.Ed. from Southern Utah U, Endorsements in Reading, Math, Leadership, and Curriculum, and is a diehard fan of her alma mater — Boise State U, where she first received her Elementary Ed. degree.
Piper states, “We’ve learned so much as an educational community the past 2 years regarding how we can rethink school, how we can ensure connection to staff and students, and how we can continue the improvement process that is public education.”
At eLumaNation, Piper discussed five pandemic changes in the school system. These changes were:
- Device access (resource disparities),
- Internet access (1 in 5 teens did not have reliable internet access, as well as a surprising amount of teachers)
- Learning management systems (having to learn google classroom, zoom, etc.)
- Hybrid and online learning (disadvantaged students had to work online, achievement gaps widened)
- Team teaching (teaching as a team sport required some getting used to)
However, Piper also addresses how the pandemic caused innovations, instructions and improvements in school systems as well. Communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity were increased during this time between school staff and students. Piper suggests five implications for this year and beyond being:
- Being learner centered (don’t let anything be an excuse for not giving learners what they need)
- Onboard talent (hopefully there will be a lot of new teachers)
- Say yes to new learning experiences (school leaders can encourage more development by being open to teachers ideas and saying yes)
- New agreements (project-based units)
- Advocating for what’s next (leaders can advocate for what good practice looks like, and policies to support it).
Piper’s message is about putting learners at the center of every decision. Student-centered decision-making does not have to come at the cost of taking care of adult needs. Student-centered learning is about changing our understanding about how teachers and students work together. The pandemic has provided challenges, but also innovations on how we can help students, as well as adults grow and learn.
“In this rush to catch kids up, let’s not forget about prioritizing the whole child.” – Piper Riddle, Ed.S
