Meet Tommy Welch, Ph.D. | Education Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tommy Welch, Ph.D. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tommy, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My passion for success is rooted in my commitment to creating success for every child via equitable education by preparing children to accomplish their dreams. Using strategic leadership, curriculum design and high quality teaching we can create children who love learning as critical thinkers, responsible citizens, innovative problem-solvers and life long learners. With nearly 25 years of experience as a school leader and educator focused on improving systems to increase student achievement, I love working to increase collaboration to achieve common goals to transform learning environments. This passion coupled with my technical and leadership skills has created success within my large district experiences and in smaller districts which has led to my recognition as a regional and nationally recognized educational leader.

Specifically, I offer strong k-12 coaching skills in school strategic leadership and community development with a focus on: leadership development; student achievement ; school innovation; culture and community; budget and finance; wall-to-wall academies, and the ability to build the capacity of a strong team. Additionally, my experience in governance and board leadership development has enabled me to positively impact student enrichment and funding opportunities through culture and community of multiple schools and districts through impactful collaborative community development. Finally, I have a demonstrated track record of collaborative leadership that has gained results in the following:

Significantly increased student achievement metrics, including AP participation, college acceptance rates, ACT/SAT scores, and graduation rates.

Over 100% increase in AP participation

Over 18% increase in college acceptance

Over 10% increase in both ACT and SAT scores

Creating systems that consistently increased graduation rates over 38%

Expanded high-quality school options through collaboration with businesses, elected officials, families, and community partners.

Established Parent and Student Resource Groups

Led k-12 schools to build collective instructional, branding a one community identity

The creation of wall-to-wall academies recognized by the Southern Regional Education Board

Implemented a fully Federally Funded JROTC Program in partnership with elected officials and community partners

Implementing a college and career advisement program in partnership with the University of Georgia

Implemented structures to create and sustain a Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Center “Mini Mustangs” for employees and internships for current students. This led to an increase in participation in the Education and Training CTAE pathway

Implemented innovative K-12 initiatives such as aquaponics agriculture programs, community gardens, and farm-to-table service labs.

Increased Gallup Q12 scores over 4%

CTAE Pathway completer increase

Increased School revenue in local funds by 300%

Facilitated Georgia’s first full-service Bank branch in a school for the cluster that resulted in increased paid internships, over a 17% increase in Economic EOC results, and increased retention and recruitment of staff through new employee access to home loans and investments

Designing structures and systems to implement a vertical STEAM program in partnership with Georgia Technical Institute that increased math and pathway completer performance

Created the structure and systems to implement Georgia’s first official STEM makers space integrating CTAE and Core content instructional and funding codes. This led to the creation and sustainability of a National and world-ranked Robotics team in Title I schools.

This service and leadership created systemic results in K-12 schools leading to the recognition as the GAASP Georgia Principal of the Year, National Principal of Year Finalist by NASSP, Outstanding HSTW Administrator by SREB, Assistant Superintendent of the Year by ALAS, among other collective and individual recognitions.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The ability to be strategic to accomplish a collective goal is what sets me apart from others. This allows me to gain success when a challenge is extremely complex or high-stakes. My moral compass guides me through these difficult challenges that encourages me to remain focused on serving the people with the commitment of the organizations goals.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
– MLK Historic Site
– Fox Theater
– Live performance at Park
– Walk the Atlanta Beltline
– Atlanta Dream Basketball Game
– Dinner at Two Urban Licks

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My success is directly related to the great support I have from my family, friends and mentors.

My wife Dr. Stacy Dougherty-Welch is my best friend and is kind enough to all my passion for children to drive my career choices that impact our life choices. Without Stacy, I could not pour my time and energy to the communities of learners and leaders I serve. My children, Harper, William and Grace keep me grounded and filled with empathy for need to focus on every child. They sacrifice time and love from Dad and graciously share me with others.

My mother and brothers have and continue to provide the motivation and realization that everything requires balance and that family is always home during difficult times. This support keeps me grounded when the world says it can’t be done. My family always reminds me anything is possible.

Lastly, my mentors! My mentors extend beyond the boarders of this country and professions. My mentors serve as the board of directors that provide me life guidance and accountability along this journey of life. I am thank for my mentors who pour knowledge through reading suggestions, share wisdom via phone or zoom check-in and accountability by reminding me of the life principles I live and aspire for my family and life. Most importantly they continuously remind me that how I live and pour into others is how I will be remembered, not my accomplishments.

Website: https://www.tommytwelch.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-welch-ph-d-4939337