Truths

This week, we continue to explore and highlight the work of consultants in our organization. Setser Group helps k-21 and the workforce reimagine the future of learning and work. While the future of learning and work is our destination, our projects are wide and varied. We need expert opinions, research, analysis, and recommendations on each project. Our consultants provide the range of a generalist but the specific verticals expertise required to solve today's most pressing learning challenges. They are fixers, strategists, and futurists who improve performance and outcomes.

This week, we are excited to share the contributions of Dr. Lory Morrow, our Senior Consultant for k-21 Leadership, who has more than 30 years of experience in education. She's contributed to our work with the Triangle Math and Science Academy (TMSA), the University of South Carolina, Western Governors University, and now SparkNC.

Lory earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, her Master of Arts in School Administration, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gardner-Webb University. Lory has served as a Teacher, Literacy Facilitator, Assistant Principal, Principal, Director of School Leadership, and Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. In 2013, she was named Superintendent of Davidson County Schools, where she was the first female to lead the district as Superintendent. In 2017, Lory was named the PTEC Regional Superintendent of the Year. She then went on to lead Lincoln County Schools as Superintendent and retired in October 2020.

Lory has presented at state, regional, and national conferences on topics related to curriculum, instructional practices, and leadership development. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, the beach, reading, and spending time with her family. She joined the Setser Group team this year.

I love being a consultant with the Setser Group! I am excited to get to work and learn alongside innovators and change agents from across the country. As superintendent of schools, I learned the importance of building relationships with all those you serve. Now working as a consultant, I get to build relationships with other like-minded leaders who are interested in building a better future for all. We do not see obstacles or barriers; we see opportunities and ways to continuously grow and improve. It is exhilarating to be part of a team that is constantly seeking new and creative ways to push the boundaries of learning.

Starting a project as a consultant requires research and planning. I like to dig into the research and identify best practices that may currently be in place. Then I like to think big and bold alongside the client to create an innovative work plan. I am an organized person by nature, so I like deadlines and dates to be set upfront to ensure I stay on track and all deliverables are in place. Serving on various project teams with Setser Group, I have the opportunity to learn, create, push, and be pushed by my colleagues, which helps me stay connected and future-focused.

Tools

See Lory's top virtual tools that she leverages in her role as Senior Consultant.

Slack

Slack is a great tool to stay connected and informed, and communicate essential information without getting mired down in hundreds of emails. In minutes you can update or check in with your team, post a document for feedback, or share other specific information relevant to your project.

Trade Publications

Education publications are a great way to stay up-to-date on the trends in your industry. Daily go-to reads are Education Week, AASA-The School Superintendents Association, ASCD, and ISTE-Journal of Research on Technology in Education.

Check out ISTE’s 30 Tools for Diverse Learners and the ISTE Toolbox here.

National School Reform Faculty

NSRF has created and refined more than 200 protocols and activities to use in communities, classrooms, meetings, and beyond. Each one is designed to help you arrive at a specific desired outcome, efficiently and effectively. It’s an essential and amazing list to have in your toolbox.

Triumphs

Learn more from Lory with the following interview excerpts to help you triumph in your daily work.

Setser Group: What is your virtual/home workspace like? What are some of the benefits and challenges of working virtually?

I have a desk set up in our guest bedroom with a monitor and my laptop that serves as my home workspace. My dog Layla often supervises my work as she likes to lie in her bed next to my desk. I love working virtually because I spent 30 years going to work at a school or Central Office, it's nice to be now working in the comfort of my home without a commute or distractions.

Setser Group: What’s your advice to other consultants doing similar work?

Listen and Learn - Your experiences are important, but they are not the only way of doing things. If you are working on a project team, listen and learn from your colleagues to help build a better solution for your client.

Reflect Early and Often - Pause and reflect on the progress of your project. What feedback are you receiving from the client, the project team or the project lead? Utilize the PSDA tool to ensure your work is on target and meaningful.

Seek Feedback - Feedback is the breakfast of champions! Seek feedback early and often from your clients, team members, and project leaders.

Be a Learner - Continue to learn and grow to stay relevant. Experience was a great teacher, but do not rely on the past to keep you current.

Setser Group: What is something you like about the Setser Group that others may not be aware of?

Setser Group is an all-virtual firm, but it feels like my virtual family. Bryan Setser, the firm’s founder, has assembled a team of innovators from across the country. We utilize various virtual tools to keep connected and informed. I enjoy hopping on a Zoom call or catching up on a project via Slack instead of having to drive to a required face-to-face meeting. Being part of this virtual team allows me to create in my own space and work at various times of the day or night.

Setser Group: What is one of the most satisfying projects you have worked on? One that has had the most impact on people.

I loved working with several principals from the TMSA Charter Schools on their STEAM Week implementation outcomes this past spring. They were eager to improve their leadership skills and excited to lead their schools. Each principal was reflective and open to learning through coaching.

I also enjoyed working on the Western Governors University project. WGU has been the gold standard in adult learning, and it has been awesome to work on a project where we begin to think about serving 14-18 years old with college options as well. Stay tuned for 2023 there, more to come soon on what we’ve collectively designed this past year.

Learn more about WGU in a recent AWS Institute interview with Scott Pulsipher, President, Western Governors University, and Connie Yowell, CEO, LRNG, for a dialogue on innovating in higher education.

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