Different Teachers, Different Voices: How Two Waterloo Principals Use Teacher Voice to Lead Their Schools
A virtual link will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.
* Registration open until 11/15/26 at 5:30 PM (CST)
Event Details
No two schools are the same, and neither are their teachers. At Waterloo Schools, principals in both settings share one practice: they check in with their teachers every month and act on what they hear.
That consistency is the differentiator. Alpaca’s 2026 School Culture Report, built on more than 33,000 teacher check-ins, shows teacher experience shifting all year, from a high in August to a low in November. A little data, gathered more often, helps leaders spot dips early and respond while it still counts.
Join Alpaca VP of Marketing Kimberly Bailey with principals Brandy Welch of Fred Becker Elementary and Danielle Hakeman of Hoover Middle School for a candid look at that practice. Principals will hear how pulse check-ins fit into a school leader's culture & engagement plan, turning insights into both action and celebration. District leaders will see how one shared practice helps every building hear from teachers all year, while each principal leads in a way that fits their school.
Bring your questions and leave with ideas for your building or district.
Participant Takeaways
- Listen on a Rhythm (Principals): Build a simple monthly habit for honest teacher feedback that fits your building.
- Turn Feedback Into Action (Principals): See how two principals turn what teachers share into visible next steps and recognition.
- Support Every Building (District Leaders): Get a clear, year-round read on teacher experience across schools so you can spot dips early and keep good teachers.
Hosted By SAI Gold Corporate Partner:
Meet the Facilitators
Kimberly Bailey, VP of Marketing, Alpaca
Kimberly Bailey is the Vice President of Marketing at Alpaca, an edtech company on a mission to make school an extraordinary place to work. At Alpaca, school culture starts with leadership, and great leaders need a system that helps them hear from, act on, and celebrate their teachers all year long. Kimberly helps bring that system to principals and district leaders through quick monthly pulse check-ins and recognition tools that turn teacher voice into visible next steps. Her graduate research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, on how U.S. news media portray K-12 teachers, shapes her belief that great leadership ultimately starts with listening.
Danielle Hakeman, Principal, Hoover Middle School, Waterloo Schools
Danielle Hakeman brings 22 years of public education experience across both elementary and middle school levels, including 10 years serving Waterloo Schools. She is currently in her third year as an administrator at Hoover Middle School, stepping into her first year as lead administrator. Outside of her professional role, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and cheering on her two children in all of their activities.