Back to Class: Permission to Innovate: What Should Stick in Education, Post COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic certainly impacted education and the K-12 and higher education leaders had to pivot, oftentimes quickly. Through the challenges, successful ideas have emerged. Trent Grundmeyer, assistant professor of educational leadership at Drake University, will share various examples of his own and other K-12 leaders' successful ideas that have demonstrated effectiveness. Grundmeyer will challenge participants to think about what changes to K-12 should stick after the pandemic. Some of the specific changes Grundmeyer will highlight include instructional delivery models, parent teacher conferences, live streamed school activities, and utilizing simulation activities. Part of the session will allow for discussion in small groups, large group discussion, and participation in a simulation activity.

When: Thursday, March 25 at 4:00 pm CT
Platform: Zoom (Link will be emailed to registered participants prior to the event.)

About the Program: Back to Class features speakers from Drake's campus in a virtual setting. Bulldogs are invited to join from wherever they are to learn about unique topics, hear from voices on campus, and connect with the Drake community.

For event accommodations or questions, please contact Amelia Klatt at amelia.klatt@drake.edu or 515-271-3378.

About Trent: Trent Grundmeyer earned his PhD in educational leadership in 2013 from Iowa State University. His dissertation research focused on college readiness. He served as a secondary principal for nine years and was named Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year in 2013 while leading Indianola High School. He earned a specialist degree from Iowa State University in 2008, a master’s degree from Drake University in 2005, and a bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University in 2003.

Trent currently serves as an assistant professor of educational leadership at Drake. His research focus includes technology adoption, parent school communication, school law, and hiring practices. Trent teaches multiple classes in the master’s, specialist, and doctorate programs at Drake, which include supervision of instruction, leadership and the profession, school law, advanced school law, and technology and leadership.

Trent has been awarded multiple grants to leverage technology integration that include using Google Glasses to create simulations for aspiring principals and a robot double to engage students remotely. He is also well known for his ability to create authentic learning experiences for students to include simulations, clinical experiences, and travel opportunities. He recently led his second J-term trip to Finland to study education and takes school leaders to Toronto to study school leadership each summer.

Outside of Drake University, Trent referees college women’s basketball and runs a small search firm, Grundmeyer Leader Services, which focuses on supporting schools in hiring principals, business managers and superintendents.

Registration