Alexander McNeece is an award-winning school administrator whose goal is to eliminate the Achievement Gap by using motivational reading material, developing a school culture of writing, and integrating 21st Century technology into every facet of his teachers’ teaching and his students’ learning.
As a teacher, Alexander’s first book, Sam Iver: Imminent Threat, was published in 2007. It epitomizes the dedication he has to struggling teen readers. The book sets its stage in online video games to motivate teens to read while it delivers important messages of self-image, friendship, and nonviolent problem solving. The book was a key component of Alexander’s students’ success in his middle school classroom. They reached a 92% passing rate on the Michigan State English Language Arts Assessment, besting the State average by 19 percentage points.
Alexander’s second book, Ryan and Ruby Go to Kindergarten, was released in August of 2008. It was a collaborative project with co-worker, Wendy Betway. The book’s goal is to help parents and students identify the essential skills needed for an excellent start in school. The results of using the book were profound. MLPP (Michigan Literacy Progress Profile) scores for incoming kindergarteners jumped an average of 14 percentage points. Today, Ryan and Ruby Go to Kindergarten exemplifies forward-thinking in education and demonstrates what a creative and collaborative effort can bring to a school and community.
Video production and media literacy are also focal points of Alexander’s career. As a teacher, he integrated video production with the Michigan English Language Arts Curriculum, culminating at the end of the year with his students writing, acting, directing, and editing their own feature length film which was released at a local movie theatre. Today as a principal, Alexander’s school pioneered a video production intervention program for struggling students, called The Douglas Show. That program and the hard work of his teaching staff has led to the elimination of student retention. 100% of the school’s students were academically successful in the 2008 – 2009 school year.
Alexander effectively uses video to communicate to staff and students alike, helping to unite the school under their motto, Success for All. Alexander’s leadership has helped his school see dramatic increases on the State Math and Reading assessment and helped take is school from missing AYP in 2006 to an A– (2009 – 2010) grade through the Michigan EdYES school report card! Under Alexander’s leadership, the school has also seen a 400% reduction of student suspensions and school tardies have been cut by 1/3. All of this has been done while the school, in the current economic climate, saw a 200% rise in their numbers of free and reduced lunch.
At thirty-four years old, Alexander holds a bachelors and masters degree from Michigan State University. He serves as an Elementary Principal in Garden City, Michigan and is a consultant through New Frontier 21. In his free time, he continues to write books that impact student achievement and travels around the country to produce educational videos about the great things schools are doing to battle the achievement gap.
If you are ready for a powerful transformation in student performance call (248) 974‑4828 to discuss how we can tailor our services to meet your school’s needs.
