‘Upped the game’: OPS superintendent emphasizing science in her first year leading district

Owensboro: Wendy Duvall is halfway through her first year as the superintendent of Owensboro Public Schools. She’s feeling great about the transition, thanks to her supportive staff.

Duvall loves her team and feels she has the right leaders in place. She mentioned that many superintendents get to choose their assistants, but she felt confident in her team from the start.

The culture at OPS has made it easy for her to settle in. She’s excited about the curriculum and how it’s shaping up. Duvall highlighted that OPS has three core subjects recognized as high-quality instructional resources by the Kentucky Department of Education. These resources help teachers enhance their skills and engage students better.

She explained that they’re actively monitoring the implementation of these resources through learning walks in schools. This feedback helps principals see things from a fresh perspective, which is crucial for improvement.

One of the biggest changes Duvall has made is emphasizing science education from a young age, starting in kindergarten. They’ve adopted the Amplify Science curriculum, which combines hands-on activities with digital tools to help students think and learn like scientists.

Duvall noted that this is the first time OPS has conducted science walkthroughs to ensure that science is consistently taught across all grades. She pointed out that sometimes science can get overlooked in elementary schools, but these walkthroughs help keep it on track.

She believes that science is essential, especially since many other quality teaching methods are already in place. The district conducts three annual tests to assess students’ learning and ensure they’re on pace with state goals.

Duvall emphasized the importance of science, especially given its relevance in technology and various fields today. She’s been impressed with the real-world learning opportunities available to students, like the civics panel hosted by Owensboro Innovation Academy.

Duvall is also thrilled about a new tool drive for carpentry and masonry programs, hoping to gather donations to help students succeed in their first jobs. She’s seen great community support, like when Shoe Sensation partnered with the Professional Bull Riders to provide free shoes for students at local elementary schools.

She described the event as amazing, noting how happy the kids were to choose their shoes. Duvall also highlighted the impact of the Women in the Trades event, which inspired female students to consider careers in construction and design.

To stay connected, Duvall visits every school weekly and appreciates that the board of education meets at schools for luncheons. This visibility is important for both teachers and students.

Looking ahead, Duvall doesn’t plan on making many more changes this school year. She wants to focus on refining what they’ve started and ensuring it’s effective. She believes they’re on the right path and emphasizes the importance of supporting students academically and socially.

Duvall also mentioned the strong counseling setup in place to address students’ mental health needs, ensuring they can thrive in school.