Dr. Rich McGrath Earns Praise from Literacy Coach

April 13, 2012 - PRLog -- Dr.  Rich McGrath (www.drrichmcgrath.com) is an expert in all phases of education, particularly versed in school-wide reform of inner city schools; with experience leading a school of students with over 90% poverty and over 60% English Language Learners.
Dr. McGrath has served as principal since 2004. Before his career as a principal, he was a reading consultant for Northwest Area Education Agency for five years; a classroom teacher for fifteen years for Sioux City Community Schools, Iowa and Aurora Public Schools, Colorado.
According to Erin Pinney, a well-respected literacy coach, “I never thought of a principal as an instructional coach until working with Dr. Rich McGrath.  The effect on classroom instruction and student performance is significant when a leader has high expectations of teachers; Dr. McGrath is supportive and helps work toward reaching those expectations; he is positive, encouraging, and mentors staff to meet the needs of all students.  

Dr. McGrath supports learning by holding data meetings where teachers look at specific data and/or student work.  He asks higher level, thought provoking questions, which guide teachers to realize more about students and about themselves as learners.  He monitors data, is validating of the specific measures of individual students’ improvements and supportive in problem solving for those students not showing improvements.  He involves and educates parents.  Each month, parents come to a parent meeting where Dr. McGrath facilitates learning math and reading strategies to use at home.  He supports the work of staff members who plan parent nights, activities, and parent education.  

Dr. McGrath visits classrooms, observes students, and provides feedback to teachers. He notices areas for improvement in classroom management, instructional technique, or content knowledge, and then supports, guides, and monitors new learning.  He continuously educates himself and staff, staying current on educational research and resources available for meeting the needs of all students.  He facilitates learning.  If a teacher wants to learn something new, he covers the classroom or finds someone to cover while the teacher observes or collaborates with others.  He participates in learning.  With each implementation cycle, he studies the content first with a leadership group, practices it himself in a classroom, and shares his learning with other teachers through video demonstrations, lesson plans, and shared experiences.

Dr. McGrath creates a learning environment where high expectations coupled with positive support filter down to even the learner struggling most.  Every educator should be fortunate to work under a strong, knowledgeable, and supportive leader, like Dr. Rich McGrath.  

A graduate of University of Denver, Colorado, Dr. McGrath studied education under Ellin Oliver Keene, noted education author. Dr. McGrath received his Master’s in School Administration from University of Northern Iowa and then earned his doctorate from The University of South Dakota in Curriculum and Instruction.
School Administrators of Iowa recognized Dr. Richard McGrath as one of the leading elementary school principals in Iowa in 2011.  Dr. McGrath’s passion is to ensure that all children are reading at grade level or better.  McGrath has served as principal in a diverse school district in Iowa for nearly a decade.  His blogs are updated regularly and thousands of followers are watching and tweeting this academic thought leader.  Sign up for Twitter to follow Dr. Rich McGrath @drrichmcgrath.  Insights, news, and best-practices can be followed daily.


Dr. Rich McGrath
http://drrichmcgrath.com
(954)907-8210
rich@drrichmcgrath.com