Matt Hickson

90 Day
Professional
Growth Plan
Focus Standards
Standard 1: Strategic Leadership
C. School Improvement Plan: The school improvement plan provides the structure for the vision. Values,
goals and changes necessary for improved achievement for all students.

Standard 2: Instructional Leadership

A. Focus on Learning and Teaching, Curriculum, Instruction and assessment: The school executive leads
the discussion about standards for curriculum, instruction and assessment based on research and best
practices in order to establish and achieve high expectations for students.

Standard 3: Cultural Leadership

D. Efficacy and Empowerment: The school executive develops a sense of efficacy and empowerment
among staff which influences the school’s identity, culture and performance.

Standard 5: Managerial Leadership

D. School Expectations for Student and Staff: The school executive develops and enforces expectations,
structures, rules and procedures for students and staff.

Standard 6: External Development Leadership

A. Parent and Community Involvement and Outreach: The school executive designs structures and
processes which result in parent and community engagement, support and ownership for the school.
 Foundation: The first 90 days of work represent a crucial time of learning
and “getting up to speed”. During this period, time should be protected
“below the surface” to build the foundation necessary for above surface
successes. I will focus on the following below surface learning activities.

Standards Learning
Scheduled time protected to read, review
and observe standards in action, starting in
tested subjects and moving out. (2.A)
Instructional Observation
Walkthrough and formal observation
experience, both with and without supervising
principal. Time for readings on certain teaching
techniques and instructional practices
attached. (1.C, 2.A, 3.D)

Relationship Building
Time reserved for informal and formal
meeting with students, staff, and parents.
Additionally, time spent building relational
capacity and learning from admin team. (6.A)
Leadership Reflection
Regular formal and informal conversations with
supervising principal and executive coach to gain candid
feedback. Opportunities to learn from the shadowing
observation of supervising principal. (5.D, 1.C)
SMART Goals for “Below Surface” Learning

Smart Goals Actions

Spend 10 hours strategically reading and 1. Print and file all standards documents
breaking down standards and 3 hours 2. Schedule protected calendar time for
discussing standards with staff and reading
administrators by the end of the first quarter. 3. Schedule six half hour conversations

25-25-25: Complete 25 of each of the following 1. Build relationships with staff members
by the first quarter end: 30 second feedback to 2. Review 30 second feedback protocol
staff, extended conversations with students, 3. Schedule “office hour time” for students
positive phone calls to parents. 4. Make 1 positive call per day

Complete 25 accompanied walkthroughs and 1. Schedule time for shadowing

discuss instructional practices in line with walkthroughs
school improvement goals. Reflect on each. 2. Create reflection tool or template
3. Reflect daily

Log weekly conversations with Dr. Logan and 1. Schedule sitting weekly time for
Mr. Jim Key and reflect on each conversation conversation
in Journal. 2. Create reflection tool or log
3. Prepare questions for each
conversations and discuss feedback
 Strengths of First 90 Days
★ Accomplished 3 out of 4 goals
★ Spent significant time developing relationships
with staff and students
★ Led professional development on technology
tools and on teacher talk moves
★ Spent about an equal amount of time between
student discipline / conflict management and
walkthrough instructional learning
★ Developed supports for beginning teachers
★ Named to Student U Board of Directors

➔ Continued investment in building curriculum

knowledge in IB and Business and Finance
Academy programs
➔ Develop systems for more consistent reflective
learning. Expand scope of learning
➔ Increase professional learning experiences
through networking conversations
➔ P.O.P. Restorative Circle Implementation
Opportunities for Growth
 Big 6 Artifacts
Hillside BT Weebly: Hillsidebt.weebly.com
Horney Academy Weebly: hhshornetacademy.weebly.com
BT Planning Document: https://goo.gl/JpQrh1
Instructional Troubleshooting: https://goo.gl/2AEVoz
Hispanic Student Success Night: https://goo.gl/zAH8kq
BCSU Mission, Vision, Goals: https://goo.gl/UJesRc

1st Qtr on Track

2017 87%

2016 84%

2015 71%

2014 65%

Results
Proposed Weekly Schedule
 The Why
“Justice is what love looks like in public”
-Cornel West

I believe in community. As a young person I walked across my city of Charlotte, North

Carolina registering voters in neighborhoods across the socioeconomic and political
spectrums. On a hot August day, I stopped at house in a neighborhood stricken with deep
poverty. An old man came to the door and asked me in. “You,” he told me, “are doing the
good work. The work of unleashing powerful voices on our democracy.” That day was the
start of my journey as an educator—a journey to unleash powerful voices.

If we are to fulfill the dream of a world where communities self determine their futures,
people recognize the inherent worth every soul, and citizens work together for a more
perfect union, then we must provide an excellent public education system that makes our
current students our future leaders. We must love, engage, and empower every student,
every day.

The charge to love, engage, and empower is to center students and families in our work; it
demands empathy and the seeking of justice. It implores us to recognize the latent
strengths and potential of every child. This is our work. It is my mission to utilize the time,
talents, and privileges I have to create spaces in which others can have their powerful voices
heard. In a world full of complexities, flawed policies, and challenging differences, our
students are the true north for the path ahead. Our job is to fight for our students—and
more importantly give them the tools to fight for themselves. Let the journey begin.