Superintendency From Behind Bars “Handlebars”

  Thank you, it's an honor to stand before all of you. Over the past few months, I’ve been asked to speak to our football team, read to a first grade class, and to visit with the volleyball team.  But this is quite an honor.  Over the years as a principal and superintendent  I’ve listened to a number of national honor society speeches for many people much more distinguished than I.   With that pressure on my shoulders, I thought I would think more like the kids and utilize Artificial Intelligence to write my speech.  So here we go. Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty, proud parents, and, most importantly, our exceptional students.  Today, I stand before you with immense pride and honor as we gather to celebrate the induction of our remarkable students into the National Honor Society. This is a momentous occasion, not just for these outstanding young individuals but also for our entire school community. A1 then went on to talk about the pillars, the foundation of the honor societ

  In the pursuit of a more collaborative and inclusive approach to leadership, I have set an unofficial goal for this year that goes beyond the confines of my formal development plan. I have coined this goal as "Do With People, Not To People," a principle I am committed to despite the expectation of encountering setbacks along the way. While acknowledging the potential for failure, I view this aspiration as a noble endeavor that aligns with my values. In the event that I do stumble, my secondary objective is to foster strong relationships with my colleagues, to a point where open and candid discussions can transpire, ultimately strengthening our district over the long term. Recent one-on-one conversations with building administrators and district directors have shed light on a recurring theme:  “do things with us not to us.”  Essentially our leaders were asking for a larger voice in the process.  This shared sentiment underscores the need for a delicate balance between operat

  This past month I’ve said goodbye to both the Panorama and Orient-Macksburg community school systems. While reflecting on both good and hard times at each district, I started to focus on a unique challenge for superintendent leaders.  What happens when caring for individuals within the system clashes with caring for the system.   As I transition into my new position, I can tell you that I already have a deep passion and I care greatly for my new school district.  That being said I have only met a handful of our employees, parents, students and community members.  It is my belief that a superintendent has to care immediately for their system.  On the surface it seems obvious, “what’s good for the system is good for the individuals within it.”  But is this always the case? Our good friends in the artificial intelligence arena suggested the following key points when asked about this topic. K-12 superintendents play a crucial role in caring for both the overall school system and the indi

The following is my recap, suggestions, and things to think about if or when a person applies for a superintendent position.  A few weeks back I used ChatGPT to write a blog post on interviewing as I was learning about artificial intelligence.  This was meant to be a joke more than anything.  That being said, there is some sound advice in that article.  I wanted to revisit this topic after having a couple weeks to reflect back on my interview experiences from this past spring.    Now that my interview process is over I can take a breath oh wait…. In the past two weeks I accepted a new position at Norwalk, resigned from my position at Panorama, sold a house, bought a house, been invited to a number of lunch/coffee dates, numerous meetings, and had many congratulatory emails to respond to.  All great stuff but when you add them all up it becomes a bit overwhelming. The past two weeks have felt like two months, in a really good way.   Let’s rewind a bit. This past winter I made the decis

  Interviewing is Hard: Tips for Navigating the Interview Process Interviews can be nerve-wracking, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out in your career. The pressure to present yourself well, answer questions confidently, and impress the interviewer can make the process feel daunting. Here are some tips to help you navigate the interview process and increase your chances of success. Preparation is key Before the interview, do your research on the company and the role you're applying for. This will give you a good understanding of what the employer is looking for and what the job entails. You should also prepare answers to common interview questions, such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want to work here?" Rehearsing your responses will help you feel more confident and articulate during the actual interview. Dress for success It's important to dress appropriately for the interview, as this shows the employer that you tak

Chicken or the Egg …. Trust or Vulnerability At some point the stars align! April 4, 2023 turned out not to be another normal day.  I’m not sure what had gotten into me, but on this day I decided it was time for a wardrobe update.  It was the first day in quite some time that I donned a sports jacket and collared shirt.  It was a Tuesday and I was scheduled to attend a superintendent meeting at our area education agency.  Having two board packets to complete over the next few days, I was sure that I would not be a gracious audience member.  However, this morning Dr. Timothy D. Kanold caught my attention almost immediately. Dr. Kanold is an award winning author who works with Solution Tree and was here to discuss educator wellness .  His newest book titled: Educator Wellness: A Guide for Sustaining Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Social Well-Being (Actionable Steps for Self-Care, Health, and Wellness for Teachers and Educators) was his focus. At some point during his presentation Dr.