TestimonialS
West Metro Education Program
I have worked with Tamika Fuller over the past six years. My initial work with her was as an elementary school principal. Mrs. Fuller worked with my school leadership team around data analysis skills as part of a district assessment tool pilot, measuring growth as well as achievement. My leadership team and I learned how to examine trends, determine root causes and contributing factors to data outcomes. Mrs. Fuller not only met the unique needs of our buildings through excellent training and facilitation, but helped us see that we had trends across our data sets. The training was highly informative and helped each of us to improve student achievement in our respective buildings.
​
Upon moving to a district level position, serving as the PK-12 Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, I checked to see if the trends at my school level held true at a systems level. It was this process of looking at data that lead me to discover systemic instructional trends that were creating achievement disparities across our schools. I called on Mrs. Fuller to consult with our department to develop a plan of action for changing the data narrative. She worked with the Academic Cabinet, Regional Administrators and Student Service Directors for our district. Her work expanded to her becoming a turn around coach to our schools designated as low performing by the state.
​
My work with her has been so fruitful, I called on her to utilize her expertise and unique gifts with my coaching team and I, in my current role as Executive Director of Joint Powers School District 6069. This collaborative district serves multiple districts across the west metro region of the state. Mrs. Fuller has worked with superintendents and cabinet members to address state statutes around achievement and integration, with a specific focus on eliminating disparities. She has developed customized training to develop school principals, instructional support staff and teachers. The use of her Transformational Leadership model has allowed us to provide effective professional learning supports to member districts at all levels of the system. School districts who work with ERE will undoubtedly see results, following her recommendations with fidelity.
Dr. Kimberly Matier
Executive Director
West Metro Education Program
Minnesota
Middle School Teacher
Portland, Oregon
Prior to working with ERE, I never used terms such as “triangulate”- ever. I seldom, if ever had the opportunity to examine multiple data points to construct an accurate narrative- no matter how difficult or painful the resulting conversation may be. For that reason, my work with ERE has been and continues to be TRANSFORMATIONAL in every sense of the word. When I began working with ERE, I was a classroom teacher with over a decade of experience. Similar to many educators of my generation, I believed I was teaching the prescribed curriculum, content, etc. and assumed my students were learning. In the spirit of transparency, I was not always receptive to the data when it suggested something contrary to what I believed to be true: that I was a good teacher. I rested any “deficits” in my teaching squarely at the feet of my most challenging students and their families.
​
Despite all of the experience and skills I believed I brought to the table, I was quickly humbled on DAY 1 of Tamika’s Professional Development! Admittedly, I struggled- a great deal. I questioned my teaching abilities and often felt discouraged. I finally reached out to Tamika, who ALWAYS made herself available to thought partner, provide feedback, resources, whatever I needed that would support my growth as an educator. As a leader, she listened and offered encouragement and strategies. With Tamika’s guidance, I moved from posting and referencing Learning Targets and Success Criteria to intentionally creating opportunities for students to engage with and take ownership of their learning.
​
Years later, Tamika’s support has been ongoing, as I began to move from teacher to practitioner and now to coach.
St Anthony New Brighton
Public Schools
Working with Tamika and ERE has brought clarity, focus, and a renewed commitment to our work as principals. The support and collaboration is thorough, distinct, and effective. And it is grounded in a belief we share- every kid, every day, no matter what. In 20 years of education, we have never had a precise framework to help address both the macro and micro levels necessary to truly move a school towards excellence and equity through high quality instruction as we have now after working with Tamika and ERE. It’s possible to work hard, make big and small shifts, and see evidence of improvement when you have Tamika and ERE on your team.
​
Amy Kujawski
Principal
St. Anthony Middle School
​
Dr. Renee Corneille
Superintendent
St. Anthony New Brighton Public Schools