“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. “
– Maya Angelou

As I reflect on leadership, administration, public service, endings, and beginnings, I find the same connections between successful people and relationships. As social beings, we seek the benefits of friendship, mentorship, collegiality – in work, personally, in civic clubs, sports, and hobbies. The people are who/what “matter” insofar as leadership and change, and growth and progress are concerned.

On a personal level, I have the good fortune to serve in four school districts over the past 22 years. Each change allowed me to channel the excitement and possibility about the new beginnings I was about to “encounter”. It is always bittersweet to leave the many relationships I have had the privilege of building over the years in one place. I am confident that many of the relationships will sustain the transition and my departure. What is most exciting about leadership transition and change is that it allows for contributing in another community that has a rich history, strong continuity, and strong community ties.

It is an honor to have been selected to join learning organizations with the wonderful people with whom I have worked and led. My hope is always to meet/greet/start to build relationships with the people and then find out their needs and wants; and my hope is to be able to work together and lead in as collaborative manner as practical in the best interests of the students, faculty & staff, parents, members of the board, and the community in general. It is fantastic to have this opportunity for new beginnings!! Each new opportunity has provided a series of true leadership experiences and opportunities for learning and growth

“There are as many ways to recognize people as there are people to recognize.” -Eric Harvey

When we do employee survey work, “Recognition” is often the most neglected dimension by managers. For recognition to be appreciated, it must be timely and perceived as an earnest expression from a caring colleague. Get to know your coworkers as humans beings and understand how they prefer to be acknowledged, recognized and rewarded. Then catch them “doing things right” and do the needful with enthusiasm. Taking time for oneself, one’s family and one’s faith. Leadership involves balancing the many “pulls” in one’s life and enjoying all of the gifts that life has to offer. Each day is a gift – take care to not take for granted!! Here in DPS we have sustained a focus on The Leadership Challenge (Kouzes & Posner) and Encourage The Heart (recognition is part of this) is one of the five practices of exemplary leadership about which they write.

Essentially my whole focus is on EXCELLENCE – I have lived my life by this focus, I conduct my work by this focus. As a public school superintendent – a proud superintendent – my charge is to support student growth and learning every day – I am held to high standards by my school board, my staff, the students, the community – everyone. And I should be held accountable to very high standards, and my performance is measured – as it should be – according to established best practices and internationally accepted standards for leadership.

I also have had the honor of working for several years as a Sr. Educational Consultant for HUMANeX Ventures (Ventures for Excellence) as a practitioner scientist, researcher, trainer, and developer of leaders. In my roles (private and public) I work on helping others reach heights higher than they thought they could reach through scientifically validated highly predictive instruments and research and analyses used in selection and development of staff.

During my more than two decades of public educational leadership, teaching, and service, I value the coaching I have received through mentors and coaches powerfully dedicated to supporting my impact as a leader.As I read the news about “reforms” and legislation and philanthropic efforts toward impacting education, I state emphatically and publicly that selection of staff AND the development of staff will lead to excellence in our schools. Personal and professional connections lead to supportive relationships and culture.

As we approach the end of one calendar year and the beginning of another, I appreciate the opportunity to serve, reflect, and lead!

As we say in DPS109:

ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER