Last fall four raised beds were built in my back yard for a cut flower and vegetable garden. Throughout the spring, I have prepared the soil, arranged for the watering system, planted rhizomes, bulbs, plants and seeds, and they are just beginning to show some growth. At the beginning of a season, it seems to take forever to get a garden going, especially if there are external issues to deal with such as insects, too much or too little sun, poor soil or other challenges. Then after the weeding, fertilizing and “babying” of some plants, as my mother would say, the flowers burst forth, the tomatoes set, and although no garden is ever perfect, the results bring enjoyment and satisfaction. As I think about my garden, I am reminded that the regional model of service delivery is in its second year and that the model will continue to develop and grow.
Recently I had the opportunity to review and learn from the work of Dr. Beverly Hall, superintendent of the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and one of the foremost educators in the United States today. As superintendent she oversees an urban school system of 96 schools with approximately 52,000 students and over 4,100 teachers. Under her leadership since 1999, this once low performing school system has embarked on a comprehensive school reform program, and the results so far have been remarkable.
The APS is the nation’s only urban district in which 100% of elementary schools met federal academic targets. Math and reading scores since 2003 have improved faster than any other urban school district. Schools once labeled “lowest performing” are being turned around, and the system has shown a consistent eight-year trend of progress.
Dr. Hall’s success can partially be attributed to a new way of supporting school level change from the central office. First, she changed the responsibilities of central office leaders and moved them out to regions. The individual in this role was responsible for anchoring his or her work in a cycle of inquiry regarding what staff and leaders in the field needed. They developed partnerships for learning and dedicated a large share of their time to listening and learning. They responded to the needs identified by brokering resources and serving as a one stop shop so that their partners did not need to navigate the central office. They also modeled processes and skills in facilitation and coaching, and they were in buildings, observing staff and developing expertise in new areas. Second, these regionally-assigned leaders became a joint meaningful work team and brought together their learnings from evidence and observation in the field. These leaders then accessed the experience, knowledge and expertise from the central office staff (those not assigned regionally).
The model she designed is based on the premise that it’s at the staff level that learning begins and practices are influenced and that the work is never done because learning is continuous. The APS has focused on communication, efficiency, effectiveness, learning, coherency and transparency. The district uses what it learns to improve practices and services to the regions. It’s exciting to learn about successful practices from around the country and be reminded that change takes time (this is the tenth year of implementation in Atlanta).
There has been a lot of learning and adjusting in Atlanta and this is likely to continue under Dr. Hall’s leadership. She has proven that all students can learn, even those in a district with over 90 percent of students living in poverty. Dr. Hall and Atlanta leaders and staff can inspire us all.
Have a wonderful summer! As always, thank you for the difference you make for children every day.
Maxine
Monday, June 1, 2009
Chief Administrator Kilcrease Accepts New Position at Iowa Assoc. of School Boards
As was communicated in an email this morning to all Heartland staff, Dr. Maxine Kilcrease announced her resignation as chief administrator of Heartland AEA after close to three years with the Agency. She has accepted the position of executive director of the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB). The IASB board of directors voted unanimously to select Maxine as IASB’s next executive director. She will tentatively begin her duties around July 1, 2009, succeeding Dr. Ron Rice as executive director, who will retire on August 1, 2009.
The IASB board of directors believes Maxine will be a strong fit for their organization because she has worked in urban and rural districts and brings experience in financial management of both organizations and foundations. She has also served on numerous education boards and has a deep appreciation for the role of effective governance in public education.
IASB was also impressed with Maxine’s previous experience in education: her 30 years of experience in educational leadership, her assistant superintendency at the Portland Public Schools and her involvement in statewide education initiatives in her three years in Iowa.
Jack Hill, president of the IASB Board of Directors, said he is pleased that the national search produced a leader with such a rich background. “It took the board a little longer than anticipated to find a person with the qualifications, experiences and expertise we were looking for in our new executive director,” he said. “Dr. Kilcrease is extremely qualified to provide leadership that will help IASB continue to build upon the current focus on board leadership for improving public education. She has the knowledge and skills to work with school boards, superintendents, and other stakeholders across the state to increase achievement for all students.”
Maxine has a few words for Heartland staff as she prepares to leave the Agency:
I leave Heartland feeling the same way as when I joined the Agency three years ago. I know Heartland has an outstanding staff of professionals who are hardworking and passionate about their work. They are always on the cutting edge, care for each other and those they serve, are collaborative and are partners with those we serve. Every day Heartland staff members make a difference and can be satisfied that they are changing lives and creating opportunities to ensure equity and access to education.
I leave knowing that there is a clear focus on student achievement and that the Agency is strongly rooted in a new regional system of service delivery that has made a major difference for our students and families, staff, teachers, leaders and other partners. I know that there is a new and deeper understanding of cultural competence and that Heartland is a more diverse and inclusive workplace. It has been a privilege to serve at Heartland, and I am confident that the Agency will continue on the pathway to increased excellence.
I especially want to thank several groups:
• the leadership team at Heartland for their tremendous leadership in transforming the Agency.
• the advisory councils for their wisdom, advice and counsel.
• the board of directors for their high expectations, leadership, guidance and support.
I look forward to working collaboratively with the Agency in the future and supporting the work of Heartland and the area education agencies in any way possible.
Click here to listen to an audio message from Maxine.
The IASB board of directors believes Maxine will be a strong fit for their organization because she has worked in urban and rural districts and brings experience in financial management of both organizations and foundations. She has also served on numerous education boards and has a deep appreciation for the role of effective governance in public education.
IASB was also impressed with Maxine’s previous experience in education: her 30 years of experience in educational leadership, her assistant superintendency at the Portland Public Schools and her involvement in statewide education initiatives in her three years in Iowa.
Jack Hill, president of the IASB Board of Directors, said he is pleased that the national search produced a leader with such a rich background. “It took the board a little longer than anticipated to find a person with the qualifications, experiences and expertise we were looking for in our new executive director,” he said. “Dr. Kilcrease is extremely qualified to provide leadership that will help IASB continue to build upon the current focus on board leadership for improving public education. She has the knowledge and skills to work with school boards, superintendents, and other stakeholders across the state to increase achievement for all students.”
Maxine has a few words for Heartland staff as she prepares to leave the Agency:
I leave Heartland feeling the same way as when I joined the Agency three years ago. I know Heartland has an outstanding staff of professionals who are hardworking and passionate about their work. They are always on the cutting edge, care for each other and those they serve, are collaborative and are partners with those we serve. Every day Heartland staff members make a difference and can be satisfied that they are changing lives and creating opportunities to ensure equity and access to education.
I leave knowing that there is a clear focus on student achievement and that the Agency is strongly rooted in a new regional system of service delivery that has made a major difference for our students and families, staff, teachers, leaders and other partners. I know that there is a new and deeper understanding of cultural competence and that Heartland is a more diverse and inclusive workplace. It has been a privilege to serve at Heartland, and I am confident that the Agency will continue on the pathway to increased excellence.
I especially want to thank several groups:
• the leadership team at Heartland for their tremendous leadership in transforming the Agency.
• the advisory councils for their wisdom, advice and counsel.
• the board of directors for their high expectations, leadership, guidance and support.
I look forward to working collaboratively with the Agency in the future and supporting the work of Heartland and the area education agencies in any way possible.
Click here to listen to an audio message from Maxine.
Bargstadt Named New Heartland Director of Special Education
As was communicated in an e-mail this morning to all Heartland staff, Grace Bargstadt, current Partnership Director for Region 8, has been named as the new Director of Special Education for the Agency.
The District Services Council (DSC) provided input for the criteria used to guide the decision making for the hiring of this position. The DSC criteria indicated that they preferred an internal candidate who had general and special education experience, commitment to the partnership model, a deep knowledge of special education, a temperament to deal with tough issues, an understanding of special education at a district level, a legal background, a disposition to connect well with the special education team and across workgroups and someone who would be well respected by all agency stakeholders. Ultimately the decision, using these criteria as well as consideration of other sources of input and factors, was made by the Executive Council.
Grace’s skills and experiences reflect a strong match with the criteria considered for this position. Grace started her career with Heartland in 1995 as a Zone Coordinator and has also held positions as Regional Coordinator and Supervisor and currently as Partnership Director. Her special education background includes being an elementary level teacher for the deaf, a speech-language pathologist, early childhood home intervention teacher and an early childhood 3-5 year-old teacher.
Her administrative background has included being a building principal for the Bellevue, Nebraska Public Schools, assistant director of Special Education for an intermediate education agency in Nebraska and designee of AEA Special Education Director for 10 years, where she gained experience in complaint mediation and due process challenges. Grace’s large repertoire of experiences and superior knowledge of special education issues will help her work with all of Heartland’s staff to continue our work in this area of the Agency.
Many of you know this upcoming year will present certain challenges for special education. Accreditation, compliance and new procedures, among other things, will keep us extremely busy. In regard to these challenges, special education may need to look different in the future. As a team, we all own some responsibility for the success of special education. As we go forward, it is important for all of us to positively impact the future of special education, and we look forward to doing this in collaboration with Grace’s leadership.
Click here to listen to an audio message from Grace.
The District Services Council (DSC) provided input for the criteria used to guide the decision making for the hiring of this position. The DSC criteria indicated that they preferred an internal candidate who had general and special education experience, commitment to the partnership model, a deep knowledge of special education, a temperament to deal with tough issues, an understanding of special education at a district level, a legal background, a disposition to connect well with the special education team and across workgroups and someone who would be well respected by all agency stakeholders. Ultimately the decision, using these criteria as well as consideration of other sources of input and factors, was made by the Executive Council.
Grace’s skills and experiences reflect a strong match with the criteria considered for this position. Grace started her career with Heartland in 1995 as a Zone Coordinator and has also held positions as Regional Coordinator and Supervisor and currently as Partnership Director. Her special education background includes being an elementary level teacher for the deaf, a speech-language pathologist, early childhood home intervention teacher and an early childhood 3-5 year-old teacher.
Her administrative background has included being a building principal for the Bellevue, Nebraska Public Schools, assistant director of Special Education for an intermediate education agency in Nebraska and designee of AEA Special Education Director for 10 years, where she gained experience in complaint mediation and due process challenges. Grace’s large repertoire of experiences and superior knowledge of special education issues will help her work with all of Heartland’s staff to continue our work in this area of the Agency.
Many of you know this upcoming year will present certain challenges for special education. Accreditation, compliance and new procedures, among other things, will keep us extremely busy. In regard to these challenges, special education may need to look different in the future. As a team, we all own some responsibility for the success of special education. As we go forward, it is important for all of us to positively impact the future of special education, and we look forward to doing this in collaboration with Grace’s leadership.
Click here to listen to an audio message from Grace.
Seating Capacities of Meeting Rooms in 6500 Johnston Office
For those who are interested in knowing the seating capacity of the meetings rooms in the 6500 Johnston office, the information is listed below. Also, all the new room assignments are complete in the Resource Scheduler. The Scheduler now lists the seating capacity of each room and allows you to look at a map of the building to see where each room is located. If you have any questions, please contact Anita Davids.
These numbers are estimates and reflect the new room numbers starting June 1:
• Rooms 3 & 4 (with ICN) - 40
• Room 5 - 10
• Room 6 - 10
• Room 7 - 12
• Room 8 - 20
• Room 9 (former office of Maxine Kilcrease) - 14
• Room 10 (former office of Terri Barnes & Jenny Ugolini) - 8
• Room 11 (former offices of Chris Pierson & Laura Gillon) - 25
• Room 12 (former office of Dave King) - 12
• Room 13 (former Business Office) - 40
• Room 14 (former offices of Cindy Yelick, Sheila King & Arletta Dawson) - 25
• Room 15 (former office of Sharon Kurns) - 10
• Learning Center (Room 17) - 20 presently, 40 after future restructuring
• Room 18 (former Print Shop) - 40
These numbers are estimates and reflect the new room numbers starting June 1:
• Rooms 3 & 4 (with ICN) - 40
• Room 5 - 10
• Room 6 - 10
• Room 7 - 12
• Room 8 - 20
• Room 9 (former office of Maxine Kilcrease) - 14
• Room 10 (former office of Terri Barnes & Jenny Ugolini) - 8
• Room 11 (former offices of Chris Pierson & Laura Gillon) - 25
• Room 12 (former office of Dave King) - 12
• Room 13 (former Business Office) - 40
• Room 14 (former offices of Cindy Yelick, Sheila King & Arletta Dawson) - 25
• Room 15 (former office of Sharon Kurns) - 10
• Learning Center (Room 17) - 20 presently, 40 after future restructuring
• Room 18 (former Print Shop) - 40
ISU’s McLeod to Host Second Annual Summer Online Book Club
Scott McLeod, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Educational Administration program at Iowa State University and Director of the UCEA Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education (CASTLE), has decided to do another online summer book club, which will begin June 15. Last year’s discussion of Influencer: The Power to Change Anything was so much fun that he can’t resist doing it again.
This year’s reading for the CASTLE summer book club will be Why Don’t Students Like School? A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for Your Classroom. The author is Dr. Daniel Willingham, Professor of Psychology at The University of Virginia.
If staff members are interested, Heartland will have copies of Why Don't Students Like School for long-term check out. Unfortunately, it is not yet available in audio form.
If you are interested in joining Dr. McLeod’s book club, go to his Web site at http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/05/summerbookclub.html.
This year’s reading for the CASTLE summer book club will be Why Don’t Students Like School? A Cognitive Scientist Answers Questions About How the Mind Works and What It Means for Your Classroom. The author is Dr. Daniel Willingham, Professor of Psychology at The University of Virginia.
If staff members are interested, Heartland will have copies of Why Don't Students Like School for long-term check out. Unfortunately, it is not yet available in audio form.
If you are interested in joining Dr. McLeod’s book club, go to his Web site at http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2009/05/summerbookclub.html.
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