51萝莉

American Rescue Plan funding, college & career readiness, the educator shortage and legislative advocacy were among key topics covered by 础础厂础鈥檚 2024 National Superintendent of the Year庐 Finalists as they reflected on recent challenges, opportunities and lessons learned.

Education Week鈥檚 Caitlynn Peetz moderated the panel which was held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. before a packed audience that included 51萝莉 leadership and staff, local advocates of public education and education media.

The four finalists, announced December 18, are:

• Joe Gothard, , St. Paul, Minn.
• Martha Salazar-Zamora, , Tomball, Texas
• Kimberly Rizzo Saunders, , Peterborough, N.H.
• Frederick Williams, , Dublin, Ga.

ARP FUNDING:

鈥淲e knew we鈥檇 have to do something different. I did not want to take it and spend it in a way that we always spent our money, said Gothard, when he learned that his district would receive $206.9 million in American Rescue Plan funding.

鈥淚t should not take a pandemic or a referendum to accelerate learning,鈥� said Gothard. Saint Paul Public Schools created 鈥淲hat I Need Now (WINN),鈥� a strategy to escalate literacy throughout the district. More than 80 reading and spelling teachers were hired with positive results. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the first PD I鈥檝e been exposed to that I hadn鈥檛 received one complaint from a staff member saying, 鈥榃hy are we doing this,鈥欌�� said Gothard.

COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS:

鈥淲e have a saying at Contoocook Valley School District,鈥� said Saunders. 鈥淎ll means all. Our education system has to fit every student.鈥�

She added, 鈥淐ollege and career readiness is a cornerstone of our curriculum and philosophy. Our goal is to make sure that students can do whatever they want to after graduation, whether it鈥檚 one year after, two years or five years. We want to make sure they have the prerequisite skills they need to be successful.鈥�

WORKING WITH LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT:

On the issue of advocacy, Williams was quick to point out, 鈥淚f your feet are not under the table, you might not be on the menu,鈥� pointing out the vital importance for school district leaders to serve as strong advocates when working with state and local legislators on behalf of the students they serve.

鈥淥ne of the biggest things in advocacy as a superintendent is building relationships,鈥� said Williams. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 wait for the legislative sessions to start to build the relationships. We need to be educating (policymakers) them all year round. Advocacy is not an individual sport but a team sport.

Added Salazar-Zamora, 鈥淭his issue is really important now more than ever before. One size does not fit all. We are not Cinderella. It鈥檚 important to look at what your district needs, find our voices and use our voices. We need to educate our parents. What does your community understand and embrace. We need to continue to share the great stories.鈥�

础础厂础鈥檚 Redefining Ready! Cohort: Participants will learn about the new research-based college and career readiness indicators, learn how to implement winning strategies for redefining student success in their districts and will be part of a national movement impacting policy, legislation and practice. 

51萝莉 advocates for equitable access to the highest quality public education for all students.

The goal of 51萝莉 advocacy is to influence federal education policy and legislation through the collective efforts of 51萝莉 members across the country.

Co-sponsored by 51萝莉, (formerly known as AIG Life & Retirement) and , the 2024 National Superintendent of the Year庐 will be announced during 础础厂础鈥檚 , Feb. 15, 2024, in San Diego, Calif.

to learn more and to access a list of the 51萝莉 2024 State Superintendents of the Year. For more information about the program, contact Jennifer Rooney, 51萝莉 senior director, meetings and awards, at jrooney@aasa.org.