The French proverb which states “The more things change, the more they stay the same” sets the stage for this talk, “Transforming Alternative Education.” This project was born out of a desire to bring awareness to the need to transform education as a means to reduce the revolving door of drop-outs entering and exiting our programs and schools. This talk will take you on a journey of viewing education through the lens of being an alternative education student and then the lens being a turnaround leader working with schools to transform education. Dr. Lateshia Woodley, once an alternative education student, is now a school administrator specializing in working with at-promise students and in school transformation initiatives. From 2008 to 2018, Dr. Woodley worked as a turnaround leader to help bring about positive changes in some of the lowest performing schools in Georgia. She became Assistant Superintendent at Kansas City Public Schools in the summer of 2018.
Dr. Woodley has received numerous award and accolades, including the 2011 Outstanding Woman in Education Award, 2012 Resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives, 2013 Acknowledgements from the US Department of Education, 2016 National Dropout Prevention Center Crystal Star Award, 2016 GAAE Administrator of the Year Award, 2017 Central Learning Community Principal of the Year, 2017 ASCD Emerging Leader, 2017 IALA Author of the Year for Education, and 2017 Shining Star Educator. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx