Sioux City, IA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/26/2012 --Dr. Rich McGrath (http://www.drrichmcgrath.com) is an expert in all phases of education, particularly versed in school-wide reform of inner city schools; with experience leading a school of students with over 90% poverty and over 60% English Language Learners.

Dr. McGrath has served as principal since 2004. Before his career as a principal, he was a reading consultant for Northwest Area Education Agency for five years; a classroom teacher for fifteen years for Sioux City Community Schools, Iowa and Aurora Public Schools, Colorado.

According to Nichole Zoeller, a well-respected Title I, Reading Recovery Teacher, “Dr. McGrath’s leadership over the past five years has made a tremendous impact on not only my teaching, reflection, and growth but has changed the culture of our whole school. Through his knowledge in educational research, data, differentiation, and high expectations, he has created a successful learning environment.”

Zoeller continued, “Dr. McGrath is a highly knowledgeable on educational research, best practices, theories behind these practices, and education in general. Not only is he knowledgeable, but he knows the importance of educating the staff and allowing them collaboration time to study and implement these best practices. Because he knows the importance of collaboration, he builds in time for staff collaboration which in turn effects our student achievement. He also knows the importance of data and the power behind using data to drive instruction.

Through weekly title meetings, monthly grade level data meetings, and individual data meetings he has brought the school to the fore front of using data analysis to boost our student achievement.”

Dr. McGrath has high expectations for all students and all staff. Since a characteristic of a highly effective school is high expectations, he refuses to alter his adherence to consistently high expectations, regardless of either students’ or teachers’ knowledge or background.

Dr. McGrath developed the new Kaizen Education Leadership model and works with elementary school principals, starting in the 2012-2013 school year by helping other principals to encourage staff to use problem solving, higher order thinking skills, and academic language with the students. Dr. McGrath encourages principals to be change agents through approachable leadership.

A graduate of University of Denver, Colorado, Dr. McGrath studied education under Ellin Oliver Keene, noted education author. Dr. McGrath received his Master’s in School Administration from University of Northern Iowa and then earned his doctorate from University of South Dakota in Curriculum and Instruction.

School Administrators of Iowa recognized Dr. Richard McGrath as one of the leading elementary school principals in Iowa in 2011. Dr. McGrath’s passion is to ensure that all children are reading at grade level or better. McGrath has served as principal in a diverse school district in Iowa for nearly a decade. His blogs are updated regularly and thousands of followers are watching and tweeting this academic thought leader. Sign up for Twitter to follow Dr. Rich McGrath @drrichmcgrath. Insights, news, and best-practices can be followed daily.