Nykeirah Jones

@DrGeorge_MU @monmouth_soe Thank you so much Dr. George for your continuous support! I am grateful!

Congratulations on your successful Dissertation Proposal Defense Nykeirah. I look forward to continuing the learning from your research & transformational leadership project @monmouth_soe #MUSOE #MUEdD

“One size fits all” in education assumes that every student learns the same way, at the same pace, with the same needs and we know that’s simply not true. When we apply a one-size-fits-all approach, some students may succeed, but many are left unseen. Reflecting on this, the real question becomes: Who is being served by the way learning is currently designed and who is being left out? #MUSOE #EvolvingEducation @carlopedia @DrGeorge_MU

The Ed.D. program proudly invites you to Nykeirah Jones’s proposal defense on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 3:30 pm via Zoom. All are invited to attend. Good luck, Nykeirah! Committee: Dr. Nicole Trainor, Dr. Vernon Smith, Dr. Elford Rawls-Dill @DrGeorge_MU

@MsSmithTMS @DrGeorge_MU @katiemartinedu When we shift assessment from something done to students to something done with them, we create space for growth, voice, and ownership. It’s a powerful reminder that learning should be the focus not just the grade.

This from Evolving Education really stayed with me @katiemartinedu Too often assessment is used to sort, rank, and label students instead of helping them grow. Timed tests, averaging grades, and isolated feedback can actually hinder learning. What makes a difference? -clear targets -multiple attempts -feedback + reflection -student ownership Assessment should be part of the learning process…not the thing that shuts it down. #evolvingeducation #MUSOE #MUEdD @DrGeorge_MU @carlopedia

Not sure if this is a thing everywhere, but seniors give their jerseys to the teachers who had the greatest impact on their lives. Thank you to the teachers who really make a difference in these kids' lives.

HS Girls Group students were given the opportunity and space to lead discussion and they chose to focus on BOUNDARIES. They collaboratively created a poster reflecting the boundaries they set for themselves and how they communicate those expectations within their friendships. 💚 #LearnerCentered #MUSOE

In a world where you can be anything, be a number 50

@HeatherDNJ @AASAHQ @monmouth_soe @monmouthu @carlopedia @DrGeorge_MU Such an important reminder that effective leadership communication is designed, not just delivered. Systems that elevate listening and lived experience create the conditions for trust and alignment over time.

Communication isn’t announced. It’s experienced. Student voice, listening systems, and trust-building leadership in my newest @AASAHQ blog. Read here: aasa.org/resources/aasa… #leadconnected #schoolsofthought @monmouth_soe @monmouthu @carlopedia @DrGeorge_MU

Students collaborate and solve meaningful problems when learning truly matters to them. Centering voice, relevance, and real-world connections transforms classrooms into spaces where future-ready skills naturally develop. #LearnerCentered #MUEdD @DrGeorge_MU @carlopedia

What if we truly gave students the time and support to explore problems that actually matter to them? Not just assignments, but real issues they want to understand and solve. I wonder how engagement, ownership, and learning might change if students felt their work had purpose. #EdLeadership #LearnerCentered #MUEdD #MUSOE

Michelle, this is such a powerful reminder of the human side of leadership. Moments like the one you shared show that leadership isn’t always about policies or big initiatives, but about presence, empathy, and truly seeing the people around us. Your story also highlights how the smallest acts of kindness can leave lasting impacts, sometimes in ways we may never even realize. It really connects to the idea of whole-child and whole-community leadership when educators feel supported and cared for, that compassion often extends to the students they serve.

Today I received an email from a teacher thanking me for a hug I gave her 3 years ago on the day she lost her dad. I had no idea that moment stayed with her. Her message had a bigger impact on my day than she probably realizes. It reminded me that leadership isn’t always about big decisions - it’s the small, human moments that matter most. Teachers change lives in moments just like this every single day.

This is a really thoughtful comparison, Shannon. I appreciate how you highlighted that even though New Zealand and the Philippines have different resources and structures, both still demonstrate how policy, culture, and national priorities shape student outcomes. It really reinforces the idea that strong systems are intentional, not accidental. One thing your post made me think about is how the U.S. often focuses heavily on compliance and procedures, while some other countries emphasize instructional flexibility or teacher trust. It raises an important leadership question for us: how do we create systems that maintain accountability while still empowering educators and supporting the whole child?

As part of my doctoral research I’ve been comparing education systems in New Zealand 🇳🇿 and the Philippines 🇵🇭 while reading Leading High-Performance School Systems by Marc Tucker. While the countries differ in resources and structure, both illustrate how national policy, culture, & educational priorities shape student opportunities. Comparative education helps leaders reflect on how systems can better support both teachers and learners. Great systems don’t happen by accident…they are built through intentional leadership, policy, and investment in educators. #EducationLeadership #ComparativeEducation #GlobalEducation #MUEdD #MUSOE @DrGrayMorales @DrGeorge_MU @carlopedia

Empowered girls empower the world. 🦋 A day of voice, growth, and confidence at Girls Empowerment Day 2026. 💜 #GiveToGain #LBHS #MUEdD #MUSOE

In Personalize, Eric Sheninger reminds us that meaningful learning happens when we center experiences around the learner. Kindness Connect did just that, not just teaching kindness, but creating a space where students could experience and practice it. One of the most powerful moments was students writing handwritten notes to their mentors. Their words reflected appreciation, connection, and the impact of simply being seen. This week reminded us that personalization isn’t only academic, it’s about building environments where students feel valued and inspired to pass kindness forward. 💛 #MUEdD #MUSOE @DrGeorge_MU @carlopedia @E_Sheninger

We honor the women who lead, educate, and inspire in our schools and community each day. Together, we celebrate achievement, opportunity, and the power of future leaders. #TogetherWeCan #JuntosNósPodemos #JuntosPodemos

In group, we used the “Color My Energy” activity as a formative check-in before beginning our session. Instead of starting with content, I started with context understanding who my students were in that moment and what they were carrying emotionally. From a learner-centered lens, this was more than a feelings activity; it was responsive practice. As Katie Martin emphasizes, meaningful learning begins when we design around the needs of the learner, not just the lesson. This check-in elevated student voice, surfaced unspoken barriers, and provided real-time insight into their readiness to engage. It reaffirmed that personalization isn’t about changing the assignment, but about shifting the experience to truly meet learners where they are. #MUEdD #MUSOE #EvolvingEducation

Personalization in education has become a buzzword. It’s not flexible seating. Not choice boards. Not compliance dressed up as engagement. Sheninger & Slaugh remind us: True personalization is system redesign. #MUEdD #EvolvingEducation

@katiemartinedu @DrGeorge_MU

Thursday Reflection: Student Agency + Competency-Based Learning This aligns with Dr. Katie Martin’s Evolving Education: Shifting to a Learner-Centered Paradigm where she explores competency-based systems and learner ownership. Ch. 6. #MUEdD #EvolvingEducation