In this episode of M-TIP, Dr. Tamara L. Thomas sits down with Principal Kelly Holland of Glendale-Kenly Elementary to unpack a truly remarkable turnaround story. Once a school labeled as "not meeting growth" for years, Glendale-Kenly not only rebounded post-COVID but soared—achieving exceptional student growth, especially among English Language Learners and students with disabilities. With bold leadership moves, strategic delegation, and a laser focus on inclusion and teacher empowerment, Principal Holland shares how her team rebuilt trust, restructured systems, and reignited academic excellence.

From building teacher-led committees to rethinking differentiation and instruction fidelity, this episode dives deep into the actionable strategies that transformed a struggling school into a statewide exemplar. It’s not just a comeback—it’s a masterclass in what’s possible when vision meets execution.

Key Moments
00:00 "Glendale Kenly Exceeds Post-COVID Growth"
03:24 Transition from Assistant to Principal
09:08 Empowering Committees Transformed Leadership
11:30 Flexible Committee Meeting Schedule
15:19 Impressive EL Proficiency at Glendale Kenly
19:02 Strategic Inclusion and Pull-Out Services
22:34 Improving EC Student Proficiency
25:45 Academic Transformation Plan Unveiled
28:38 Empowering Teachers for Immediate Impact
32:08 Introducing New Teaching Format
33:45 Strategic Teacher Leadership Development
36:29 Empowered School Team Progress
39:41 "Remarkable School Transformation Efforts"

Why You’ll Love This Episode:
If you're a school leader, educator, or advocate for equitable education, this episode will recharge your belief in the power of intentional leadership. You’ll hear how one principal moved from managing every detail to cultivating a culture of shared ownership, leading to record-breaking EL proficiency scores and meaningful student growth. Packed with real strategies, human-centered insights, and a dose of honest reflection, this episode is a powerful reminder: when you build the right systems and empower the right people, the “impossible” becomes inevitable.

Connect with Guest - Kelly Holland
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-holland-902528102?trk=pub-pbmap
Website: https://www.johnston.k12.nc.us/gke

Connect with Host - Dr. Tamara Thomas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-tamara-thomas-2204b113/
Website: https://drtamaralthomasconsulting.com/

Thanks for listening to the M-TIP Podcast. Keep striving, continue reflecting, and remember—real change starts with one committed leader. That could be you.