Principal Perspective: Decorah High School's Kim Sheppard

US News and World Report recently ranked Decorah High School as the #3 school in the entire state of Iowa.  In fact, the high school has a reputation of being on Iowa's top 10 list for many of the last few years.  Part of the reason for these repeated accomplishments has to do with the leadership of Principal Kim Sheppard, who, even during these unprecedented times with COVID-19, continues to see challenges and obstacles as new opportunities for growth, learning, and creativity.

Sheppard says, "The move to a digital learning format for the remainder of the school year was not something any of us would have ever predicted as we began second semester.  However, as we moved through the month of March it became apparent that a such a move would be necessary to help ensure the health and well-being of everyone."

Unlike the other schools in the district that are doing ungraded, voluntary participation for its students, Sheppard and her staff had the difficult task to figure out what required learning would look like. Through curricular and building meetings, the staff talked openly about the challenges they would all face since there would be types of learning activities that would not be possible outside of a school setting. Sheppard states, "While this provided some disappointment and challenges, it also provided new opportunities to be creative.  As they considered the move to required learning, our staff wanted to support and help our students maintain the skills they had already acquired and also gain as many new skills as possible."

The plan for the high school's required online learning allows for students in grades 9 through 11 to complete their course and earn full credits.  This, in turn, places them in a much better position for the upcoming school year.  For 12th grade students, the required online learning option allows them to earn the credits needed to graduate and better prepare them for a move to the post-secondary setting, the work force, or the military.

Making this decision was just the first of many new opportunities for Sheppard and her staff.  As the high school teachers worked collaboratively to plan digital learning activities, they followed models used by educators in other states who had previous experience with the format.  The teachers' creative opportunities continue every day as they learn more about the types of activities that work the best in the digital world and those that do not.

According to Sheppard, the students have been given many new opportunities because of the challenges of online school. She says, "As we move through the third week of required learning, our students have responded very positively and are learning much about adaptability, the management of one's time, and the importance of communicating with teachers when questions arise."   

Sheppard highlights the dedication and commitment of her team and community, saying, "While it has been a challenge, I am very proud of the work and adaptability of everyone involved, including our students and their family members.  This has truly been a team effort led by our teachers, paras, and student support team members and would not be possible without the support and assistance of our technology team members, the members of the Board of Education, staff members at the AEA, community agencies, and our District Administrative Team."  

Her days are filled with Zoom meetings, working with the student support team, and listening to webinars to make sure the high school is aware of any changes that occur. Sheppard is also a visitor to Zoom sessions organized by teachers and paras, where she says, "Seeing the smiling faces of our students , talking with them, and listening to their excitement about being together makes the days much brighter."

Sheppard doesn't deny that there are difficult parts of digital learning, especially not having everyone together at school and missing the daily interactions, students' energy, and conversations.  She finds her strength, saying, "However, I know someday, we'll be back in school working with students - one of the best opportunities one can have."