Bridges & Hope
On a mission to help
educators build bridges
while instilling hope…
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Amy Hodgson, Bridges & Hope
My Story
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I knew from a young age I wanted to become a teacher, just like my dad. I organized a classroom in our garage, utilizing the full-size chalkboard my dad salvaged from an old school, and taught the neighborhood kids every chance I could get. I used old textbooks, worksheets, and even took attendance! After teaching MS and HS science for thirteen years, I decided to continue in my dad's footsteps by taking a position as a MS assistant principal. This was followed by a HS principal position and then nearly 12 years as the superintendent of Dansville Schools. After 30+ years in education, I am excited to spend my days investing in the lives of others- coaching administrators, speaking, training educators, and continuing to learn and grow so I can help others do the same.
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TESTIMONIALS
In my world, I have the chance to work with lots of education leaders. A handful of times in my career, I have met and worked with a leader who actually changes me in the way that I think and inspires me to work better or differently or with more purpose. Amy is that leader for me. If I had to choose one term to describe her, it would be student-centered, in that she will do whatever it takes to deliver growth and opportunity for all her students. She accomplishes that outcome remarkably well, in part, because she very humbly and warmly supports, inspires, holds to account, and elevates the credit of those who work at her side and under her leadership. She is truly one of the kindest human beings I have ever met who makes me want to work more effectively on behalf of K-12 students. I wish I could work with Amy every single day.
Amanda VanDerHeyden, Ph.D., Private Consultant,
Researcher, National trainer
Founder of SpringMath
Amy is the rare instructional leader we read about in the literature who makes the complex system of teaching and learning the main job of each contributing staff person in the district. She employs persistent and unwavering leadership that equips administrators and teachers to serve every child in the system.
Kathy Dewsbury-White, Ph.D., President/CEO
MI Assessment Consortium
Amy took solid research and implemented it in our classrooms. The very soul of a servant leader, she creates a common vision, communicates the benefits of a new direction, and wins over the whole community of administrators, faculty, staff, parents, and students. Goals quickly become the status quo whether standard-based grading, learning targets, an extended calendar, or new curriculums in reading, math, and science, and no one is marginalized or gets left behind. While unquestionably a brilliant educator, Amy excels in every area of organizational management, including strategic and tactical planning, budgeting, facilities management, and personnel development. She is a giant intellect driven by genuine caring and a generous heart.
Mike Kapp, Board President
Dansville Schools
Services
Ready to move your classroom, building or district forward on your MTSS, effective instruction or assessment journey? Ready to attend to equity and start using grading practices that motivate instead of creating hopelessness in students?Want to ensure you are truly implementing MTSS or need a reboot? Let me help you evaluate where you are and then build a customized plan for implementing best practices in MTSS, instructional practices, curriculum work, assessment/grading and more! See how implementing what we've learned from educational research flips the motivation switch for your students and improves their outcomes!
Ever wish you could call on someone day or night to review a critical
communication before sending? Looking for someone to help write a speech for opening day? Not enough time in the day to write letters of recommendation or improvement plans? Let me ghost-write a draft that you can polish and send in no time at all! Need some inspiration for newsletters or other stakeholder communication? Let me help ensure your oral and written communication is spot on, avoiding communication gaffes, and inspiring confidence! Customized to meet your needs!
Want to take your leadership to the next level? Sharpen your skills through professional coaching and have access to a thought partner as you lead your organization to new heights! Clients participate in coaching sessions to help meet their goals with the option to add real-time thought partnering to work through situations and problems with an experienced ally. The client is able to tap into consultant's ongoing training and resources to help expand his/her own knowledge and skills. Outcomes include guidance in achieving goals, fostering relational trust to encourage a productive mentoring partnership, and strengthening client's work performance in planning, problem-solving, communication, difficult conversations, giving effective feedback, and decision-making. Free opening session to explore needs and then work together to create the arrangement that best fits your needs!
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Looking for someone to speak at your event or to your staff? Hoping to bring in a professional trainer to engage staff in professional development that lasts and improves student outcomes? Need someone else to come help staff see the need for a new direction or to challenge thinking re: best practice? Wanting to create a customized training that includes ongoing coaching/consulting sessions to ensure a successful implementation? Get training for your admin team re: how to give effective feedback, how to retain and attract staff and more! Hoping to work with someone who has a heart for ALL students and staff and is invested in their success? Let's talk and see what we can accomplish together!
