Southwest Junior High School Assistant Principal Emma Clay is one of 11 educators selected nationally as fellows for a National Institute for Excellence in Teaching cohort.
The one-year program helps selected educators deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement to more effectively support the work taking place in their schools and districts, according to a NIET press release.
“I was thrilled when I got the opportunity,” Clay said. “We're able to work together with teachers and teacher leaders all across the country.”
NIET is a nonprofit based in Phoenix, Ariz., that serves states and districts nationwide, according to the release. NIET partners with schools, districts, states and universities to build educator excellence and give all students the opportunity for success.
Clay’s experience as a cohort fellow began over the summer at a one-week boot camp in Arizona.
“It was a week full of learning where we had professional development,” she said. “They taught us about NIET’s strategies and systems that they've developed over the past 25 years that have shown success in schools all across the country.
Clay, 32, will likewise have an opportunity to participate in the NIET national conference in April and will attend a second summer institute in Arizona for further professional development.
“That's the learning side of it, and then the other part of it is just creating a plan using some of those NIET strategies and structures to bring back to our school to support teachers and students here,” she said.
Southwest Principal Dr. Curtis Gladden said the junior high school is already benefitting from Clay’s time with the cohort.
“Ms. Clay's experience with NIET has already had a positive impact on our school through an increased focus on building the capacity of our teachers to improve student outcomes,” he said. “Her collaboration with NIET will no doubt lead to continued improvement of our instruction, not only here at Southwest Junior High, but the entire school district as well.”
Gladden said Clay is a leader who consistently elevates the school’s Tier One instruction through strategic, data-driven support and meaningful collaboration with teachers.
“She models effective teaching practices, offers insightful feedback and fosters a growth-oriented mindset among staff,” he said. “We are blessed to have her in our building, as teachers regularly express how much they value her approachable style, deep instructional knowledge and unwavering commitment to student learning.”
Clay said students deserve to have high-quality educators.
“Everything—every system, every strategy—is all about building the capacity of educators so that we can have that positive impact on student achievement,” she said, adding Southwest is restructuring some teacher professional learning to continue to build their capacity.
It's important to continue to grow as educators, she said.
“Education is hard and things change constantly,” she said. “It can be a challenge, but it's possible if we do it together, we have structures and systems and we just support each other along the way.”
Clay has worked for 10 years as an educator. She taught fifth grade at Walker Elementary School for six years and served as an instructional facilitator at Southwest for three years. This is Clay’s first year as an assistant principal.