Dr. Olivia L. Watkins

• 122 South Michigan
• Chicago, Illinois 60603
• Office Number: (312) 261-3643
• Fax Number: (312) 261-3024
• Email address: owatkins@nl.edu

EDUCATION:

• Degree: Ph.D
• Institution: University of Illinois Urbana
• Field: Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on Educational Leadership

PROFESSIONAL STATEMENT:

My belief has always been that all children can learn. I have served in a number of positions throughout my career. In each of these positions I acquired a hands-on working knowledge of the elements of effective schools. Thus, effective leadership, positive school environment, successful classroom instructional practices, comprehensive professional development, supportive curriculum, and a carefully aligned assessment and evaluation program became the framework for change and improvement.

I am pleased to be a faculty member at National-Louis University. My work at the university allows me the opportunity to support my belief system through the training and support of outstanding educational leaders for urban school districts.

CURRENT COURSES I TEACH:

• EDL 510 - Leadership & Organizational Development in Schools
• EDL 512 - Communication & Technology Skills for School Leaders
• EDL 551- Professional Staff Development
• EDL 554 - Academic System Improvement
• EDL 603 - Educational Planning & Decision Making
• EDL 604 - Administrative Issues for Pluralistic Schools
• EDL 624- Professional Development and School Change
• New Leaders for New Schools
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PUBLICATIONS: (RECENT)

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• Uniform Discipline Code Handbook (2004)
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• Instructional Support Syllabus for Parents (2003)
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• Handbook for New Teachers (2003)
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• Handbook for Small Schools (2002)

(The Nuts & Bolts of Opening a Small School)

PRESENTATION: (RECENT)

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• Critical Friends Support - Cleveland Municipal School District- Cleveland, Ohio (2004)
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• Professional Development and School Change - Cleveland Municipal School District-Cleveland, Ohio (2004)
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• Communication in Leadership - Cleveland Municipal School District- Cleveland, Ohio (2004)
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• Strategic Planning for School Improvement- Cleveland Municipal School District- Cleveland, Ohio (2004)
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• Reform and Systemic Change- Cleveland Municipal School District- Cleveland, Ohio (2004)
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• Coaching Skills for School Principals-Gary Municipal School District-Gary, Indiana (2003)
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• Job Embedded Professional Develop for Principals- Chicago State University Conference- Chicago, Illinois (2003)
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• Key Elements of Communication for Schools Principal- Parent Resource Center- Chicago, Illinois (2003)
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• Analysis of Expulsion & Suspension Data Including Strategies for Change- Educational Conference-Gary Municipal School District- Gary, Indiana (2003)
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• No Child Left Behind- Panelist, Northeastern Illinois University-Chicago, Illinois (2003)
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• The Chicago Principalship and the Impact of Reform Legislation- Depaul University-Chicago, Illinois (2003)
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• The Need for Parent Involvement in the Education of Children-Title I Parent Conference-Chicago, Illinois (2003)
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• Systems Thinking or Thinking Systems-Charter Panelist- Chicago, Illinois (2002)

WORK IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY:

• Mentor and coach for principals & district administrative staff
• Facilitator for strategic planning Ð district and project level

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

• Development of leadership skills
• Behaviors of newly assigned principals
• Communication skills needed to support change
• Strategies needed to support change
• Professional Development

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Scotland - HM Inspectorate of Education (2004)

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

Reading, Racquetball, Walking