Dr. Julie M. Hatling

North Park and South Park Elementary Schools
Belle Fourche School District
Belle Fourche, South Dakota
[email protected]

Building on a decade as a middle school teacher and district-level curriculum leader, Julie Hatling has spent the last six years leading a transformation toward learner-centered practices as principal of North Park and South Park Elementary Schools (NPSPES). After participating in extensive observation of personalized, competency-based teaching methodologies throughout the state, Hatling has implemented practices that encourage learners to take ownership of their academic goals and to move flexibly among groups based on skill readiness, while providing teachers with the professional development needed for effective co-teaching. NPSPES teachers regularly attend conferences and have even gone on to present on the benefits of the vertical co-teaching model. Hatling also responded to a years-long decline in reading proficiency by introducing a structured approach to fill foundational skill gaps in literacy. Building on years of independent research, Hatling led her staff in a two-year long process to reconcile divergent teaching philosophies and build a consistent plan centered on student growth. Less than a year into implementation, the program has already produced strong gains in the number of students reading above grade-level. These successes would not be possible without Hatling’s parallel efforts to shore up family engagement and elevate school-community partnerships that enhance learning. Hatling holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Black Hills State University and Ed.D. and Ed.S. degrees from the University of South Dakota.