2 EDCAL June 18 , 2018
Jennifer Williams loves the diverse responsibilities of her job .
WILLIAMS
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program , assist with minor discipline , and help with site administration . The next year , she transitioned to the role of assistant principal . Today , she has been with her district for 16 years , spent 11 years in her current position , and served 28 years as a site principal at both the high school and middle school levels .
Williams is inspired by the people she works with , whether she is making sure teachers and administrators feel safe and supported or helping to hold students accountable . She also plays a role in the school board ’ s effectiveness and in the
development of the superintendent ’ s vision .
“ I love what I do at work because my job responsibilities are so diverse and everything I do makes a difference ” Williams said . “ What inspires me most in my work are the student leaders I am fortunate to be able to meet with monthly in the Student Advisory Council ( SAC ) meetings .” Williams ’ district created the SAC , led by a student board member and mentored by Williams , more than 20 years ago . It consists of five student leaders from each of the district ’ s seven campuses , Williams explained . “ We work together to help the various ASB organizations appreciate … the events , issues , and goals we have in common [ as well as our ] significant differences ,” she said .
Williams is a dynamic and diligent exemplar of the 2018 Leadership Summit theme , “ Empowering Innovative Leadership .” She helps ensure student success by understanding and responding to the larger political context of standardized testing and comparisons of the scores by both the public and by parents .
Williams also oversees “ all things technology-related .” Less than three years ago , she said , there was no infrastructure for WiFi . The district ’ s 14,000 students , 600 teachers , and 400 classified staff members
did not use Google . To fulfill the superintendent ’ s vision , Williams led the complete changeover to Google for staff and students , providing essential background information to the board of trustees so that adequate funding was provided .
“ Working with a director of technology and three staff members , I developed a multi-year detailed plan that included installation of WiFi infrastructure , training for all staff classified members , extensive training for teachers , creation of GATE policies and accounts for students , a campaign to inform parents , and a plan for paying for it all ,” she said . “ It was essential that I empower our site principals to do the heavy lifting and provide strong leadership on their campuses to make the entire process flawless .”
As of August 2017 , all students and teachers in Williams ’ district are issued Chromebooks for daily use at school and at home , a change which has had a significant impact on classroom instructional strategies .
Williams has been an ACSA member since 1993 . From 1990 through 2002 , she served on the Middle Grades Education Council , working with state-level staff members to recommend policies and instructional practices .
“ Much of this work overlapped with ACSA efforts to reform middle grades education and I was often on joint committees providing training ,” she said . “ From 2002 through 2007 , [ as a high school principal ], I was a regular participant at ACSA conferences enjoying speakers such as Robert Marzano , Doug Reeves , Kate Kinsella and Rick DuFour .”
Since 2008 , Williams has served her district as executive director of Administrative Services and member of the superintendent ’ s cabinet . In this role , she took over as her district ’ s ACSA charter president , attending region meetings , communicating information to district leaders , and ensuring participation in the Every Student Succeeding Program .
As far as her future plans are concerned , Williams said , “ I remain ambitious about supporting student and staff member uses of technology , dealing with school safety issues , mentoring assistant principals and principals , and being the person others call when they are not sure who to call .”
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All ACSA Administrators of the Year will be honored during the President ’ s Celebration held Nov . 9 at Leadership Summit . The Summit will take place Nov . 8-10 in San Diego . Go to www . acsa . org to learn more and to register .
ANDERSON
Mark Anderson is proud of his students ’ achievements .
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With two parents who served as educators , public education was something Anderson valued , and a temporary teaching position after college led him to follow in his parents ’ footsteps . His desire to have an even greater impact was the impetus to earn his administrative services credential . “ My path to administration may not have happened the way I had planned it to , but it happened the way it was supposed to , and I have benefited from being mentored by strong and outstanding women ,” Anderson
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said . “ I would not have become an administrator and then grown as one if it were not for more experienced administrators recognizing some skill or talent in me and nurturing it in me and encouraging me to take risks and grow .”
Now a mentor himself , Anderson is staunchly committed to the professional growth of his staff , as well as the achievement of his students .
The results have been measurable and far-reaching . These include receiving honors such as California Gold Ribbon School , NASSP Breakthrough School Award , and California Exemplary Arts School , and being named one of America ’ s top high schools by U . S . News & World Report . In addition , the attendance rate at Marshall Fundamental increased to more than 98 percent , while the suspension rate has been reduced by 20 percent .
To Anderson , these accomplishments are possible because of the commitment of his team and the greater community .
“ Every award my school has received or students have received are really the work of a team of people dedicated to public education ,” he
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said . “ Even receiving this honor , it is not just the work I do , but I am supported so much by such a wonderful community around me . While the school has received some incredible honors , I also feel proud of just being at graduation and seeing those students walk across the stage who have overcome and accomplished so much at a young age .”
He is proud of how much more involved the community has become in his school .
“ Attendance at events and parent meetings has grown tremendously ,” Anderson said . “ Any time we can rally the community around schools it creates a better school and a better community .” Superintendent Brian McDonald agrees . “ Dr . Anderson exemplifies school leadership in all facets of the job ,” McDonald said . “ He is admired by the community and works collaboratively with the parents to build a stronger school for all students .”
Membership in ACSA has played a key role in Anderson ’ s career as an administrator from the beginning .
“ ACSA gave me a different perspective of education ,” he said . “ As a site leader , I could get lost in the work of the school . Being involved in ACSA I was able to step away from the school and take a more macro
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view to education . Often when we are dealing with an issue at school we can feel all alone like no one would understand .
“ When I got out and met other administrators through ACSA , I would realize that there are others doing the same work , dealing with the same issues , and immediately my professional network grew and I felt supported beyond the school site .”
Since joining ACSA , he has served on state committees and councils and on region and charter boards , and received the 2011 Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year Award .
As a leader , Anderson calls himself a “ missionary for a free and equitable education for all students .”
“ The belief that a high quality education provides equity to our American society grounds and elevates my leadership . I have faith in the work of public education that we can strengthen the world ,” he said . “ To redefine what is possible we have to look at ourselves and remove our own perceived limits as leaders .
“ I know I am limited as a leader , but when I connect with others it erases those limits , because as a team of educators we are changing the world . Together we can achieve the impossible .”
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Education California | The official newspaper of the Association of California School Administrators
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This series introduces ACSA staff to members . These are the people working tirelessly for you each and every day .
Who : Tracy Robinson
Job : Educational Services Executive
Tracy directs the ACSA Clear Credential program , is the liaison for accreditation to the CTC and works with Leadership Coach Training .
Interesting information :
Tracy used to do beekeeping as a hobby . Next month she plans to travel to Italy with her daughters , and would someday love to see the Northern Lights .
ACSA . We work for you .