David Nagel is a Senior Professional Development Associate with The Leadership and Learning Center. A former middle/high school biology teacher, department chair, and administrator, Dave’s work has been extensive in secondary education, specifically 9-12. While working in his former district in The MSD of Wayne Township in Indianapolis, IN, he was able to utilize his strengths in building collaborative teams and focusing on relationship building with staff and students. His efforts in both an evening school/extended day model as well as the traditional day school setting transformed Ben Davis High School (enrollment 3,400 grade 10-12) from a middle of the road high school (in terms of diplomas awarded) into a graduation factory. By focusing on differentiated goals for students based on specific proficiency measures, and focusing practices that were embedded for all students, Ben Davis was able to move their graduation rate 14% in just over four years.
As a Professional Developer with The Center since 2003, David has worked in all of the core areas The Center provides Data Teams, Common Formative Assessments, Creating Performance Assessments (ECA, Engaging Classroom Assessments). His work has consistently been with high school teachers and leaders, helping them adapt The Center’s work to meet the needs of the comprehensive high school. It was during this time that the hypothesis to work on collaboration, relationships, and the idea of “flatter/thicker leadership” first came to him. He has worked with audiences as small as 3-4 and keynoted for as many as five-hundred. His specific grade-related work has been with leaders, such as the principals of Des Moines Public Schools, and several other large districts, such as Wayne Township, where the focus really was on practices and not policies.
David has been published multiple times in various publications such as Principal Leadership and Educational Leadership, as well has presented at various national conferences such as ASCD, National Staff Development Council (NSDC), National Association of Secondary School Principals, and National School Boards Association (NSBA). His pending book, co-authored with Dr. Lisle Gates, will accompany their seminar on action steps for effective high schools, specifically true and focused collaboration.
David stays very busy with his beautiful and supportive wife, Kristen, and two boys (ages 7 and 2), with another Nagel boy due in September, 2011. Kristen works full time and does most of the raising of the children. When Dave is traveling, he has a great family and a great woman beside him and acknowledges this every day.
Video Introduction
Sorry, you need to install flash to see this content.
What Clients Say
“We have been extremely pleased with David and Rachel. They both have connected with our participants on a personal and professional basis. The ongoing contact though webinars and email will only increase the knowledge of our participants.”
—Allen Haymon, Department of Defense Education Activity
“I heard a large number of very positive comments from the participants. I believe Dave met the goals that had been set for him by the Kirksville R-III Administration.”
—Myra Collins, Kirksville R-III School District
“I wanted to let you know that we had a GREAT experience with David as our presenter over the past two days. Our faculty had a very positive experience, learned a great deal, and were able to leave with something they can use in the classroom. David is a great presenter. Very personable, knowledgeable, approachable, and focused on the main goals of the learning.”
—Abbie Cook, Ed.D., Curriculum Director
“You can be proud of having Dave Nagel represent you and the Leadership and Learning Center.”
—Billy Ray Jones, Wayne County School District, Waynesboro, MS
“Dave’s presentation was very thorough and organized. Thank you!”
—Cathleen Dohse, Teacher, Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, CA
“Dave is an incredible presenter! He has strong content knowledge and is engaging.”
—Carlos Lopez, Principal, Widefield School District #3, CO
“Both David and Connie were excellent presenters and knew the information very well. They could easily give a variety of examples and address all questions. This indicated a broad awareness and understanding of the topic by both presenters.”
“David Nagel was most professional and was knowledgeable of the needs of the school district more specifically Miner Elementary School. During his session on lesson study, he clarified and engaged teachers in collaborative lesson study and as a result we are looking forward to an ongoing relationship. After the session we debriefed and discussed ongoing monitoring and coaching of this process.”
“I would very confidently recommend Mr. Nagel. His work is focused, well organized, useful and offers training that is applicable to schools, leaders and students.”
“Mr. Nagel’s work definitively met the objectives of the day. We were able to visit several schools, observe several collaborative planning meetings, follow up with the principals of several of those schools with feedback and suggestions, and to conclude the day working with additional princpals on thier plans for CLS in thier schools.”
