Assistant Superintendent Biannual Newsletter

I recently attended a workshop about learning how to lead change rather than manage it.  Many of the participants were from the corporate sector so it was interesting to compare our similarities and differences in changing our organizations.  We learned change leadership is the only way to go because, like it or not, changes are happening fast with technology accelerating the impact across society, the environment, the economy, healthcare, etc. Some of these changes are for better and some for worse.  What it boils down to is how we handle the challenges of change.  John Kotter, Harvard Business School, tells us a major problem is that, “All too often people and organizations don’t see the need for change.  They don’t correctly identify what to do, or successfully make it happen, or make it stick.”  

Schools are the ideal place for modeling and teaching adaptability so that students are prepared to enter a world where most will have at least five careers. Administrators certainly play a critical role in leading change but research also finds it is when everyone in an organization assumes responsibility, change efforts are achieved quicker and more effectively.  As our district becomes a stronger professional learning community, a greater sense of shared responsibility will be at the heart of our work to continue to improve teaching and learning.  Bringing out the leadership in all yields results beyond what could ever be possible with a few.  Look at the overwhelming voter approval of our budget once people rallied together!

Region 15 Schools see the need to change, identify what needs to be done, and strive to make it happen in order to remain a district of excellence.  Support systems that we have in place to help everyone create and sustain a culture that embraces the change are highlighted below.

 

2^nd Generation Strategic Plan Is Coming:

Next fall, we will be convening a new Strategic Planning Team to examine the “state of the district” and map out the changes we need to make in the future.  This important work has served as a guiding force in decision making over the past five years.  Modifications were made during our planning updates but we are now ready for a more comprehensive evaluation of our progress and future needs.

Distributed Leadership:

We have many structures in place to internally grow leadership and for people to be actively involved in district decisions.  Teachers across the Region serve on school and district level committees.  Additionally, Master Mentors, Mentors, and Instructional Teacher Leaders (ITLs) are recognized for their expertise and counted on for advice.   Over 100 teachers will be participating in summer curriculum writing!  The major work occurring in the areas of Social Studies and English Language Arts will be led by ITLs.

Professional Development:

As a system, we understand how important it is to invest in adult learning.  Attempts are being made to keep professional development activities as job embedded and collaborative as possible.  Next year, we will be exploring ways to further improve our professional development offerings so they further leverage district change.

 

As always, if you have any suggestions or comments you may want to share with me, please feel free to contact me at 758-8250 X114 or by email at llanning@region15.org  I am always open to suggestions. 

 

Summertime Page Turners:

Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales, Mao, The Untold Story by Jung Chang, Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich, Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin

 

Enjoy your summer and thank you to everyone for another successful year!

 

Lois Lanning, Ph.D.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Pomperaug Regional School District 15

Serving the towns of Middlebury and Southbury, CT

P.O. Box 395, Middlebury, CT  06762-0395

Telephone:  (203) 758-8259

Ext. 114 -- Mrs. Benay Woodford, administrative assistant

Fax:  (203) 758-1908

Website:  www.region15.org