Reader Reply

School Administrator, April 2019


As a first-year superintendent, I found it helpful to borrow one of the processes that Matt Teeter described in his My View column “One-on-One With Every District Colleague” (August 2018) about interviewing school district staff that I used to introduce myself and get to know more about our staff members.

I successfully met with 28 OF MY NEW STAFF MEMBERS in the fall, which was a large number for us. This semester, I am meeting our veteran teachers.

In my follow-up communication with Teeter, he kindly shared the types of questions he asked teachers during his visits and provided other helpful details.

I thank him for providing readers with a great idea.

STEVEN MEYERS
SUPERINTENDENT,
PLEASANT HILL R-3 SCHOOL DISTRICT,
PLEASANT HILL, MO.


Connecting on Equity
My school district’s deputy superintendent read and forwarded the article (“A Joint Project in Syracuse Leads Toward Equity,” November 2018) by Meredith Devennie and her colleagues at Syracuse University about their equity audit work with Syracuse City Schools. We were intrigued to know more.

Our district in Grand Blanc, Mich., has been searching for a model to authentically gauge our opportunities for students. We have partnered with a nonprofit called the Positivity Project, which ironically began in the Syracuse suburb of Liverpool, N.Y. The Syracuse connection caught our eye as we continue our work on character, culture and mental health.

I reached out to Devennie. As a result, we’ve had a number of conversations and she opened her meetings to me and several colleagues via video conferencing. They shared strategies and provided us with opportunities to learn more.

JEREMY MITCHELL
PRINCIPAL,
INDIAN HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL,
GRAND BLANC, MICH.



Global Affairs
Having discussed (and applauded) the District of Columbia Public Schools’ study abroad program as an idea from inception to implementation with colleagues there, I would say your entire January 2019 issue (“Global Affairs”) is my candidate for a Golden Globe.

The coverage in this issue reminds us how developing an international mindset needs to start well before college. You also stressed the central role school administrators play in encouraging the effort.

Your issue points up the need for schools at many levels to have a foreign policy and suggests how those who lead them can get started.

ALLAN E. GOODMAN
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION,
NEW YORK, N.Y.


Proper Use of Social Media
I am an assistant in the superintendent’s office in the Passaic Valley Regional High School District, where my main focus is public relations and social media. I came across Sandi Beason’s Social Media column “Prepping Site Administrators on Proper Use” (December 2018).

I contacted Beason for additional information. She promptly shared a packet that she uses with all of her digital media team members. It included tips on what to publish, resources to help pre-schedule posts and guidelines on what not to post.

I am working on getting our school staff on the social media wave. I am hopeful what Beason provided will help us to build and manage similar processes.

RAE ALLEX
ASSISTANT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT,
PASSAIC VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT,
LITTLE FALLS, N.J.
 
 
Letters should be addressed to: Editor, School Administrator, 1615 Duke St., Alexandria, VA 22314. E-mail: magazine@aasa.org