6 EDCAL June 10, 2019
SCROGGINS
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a new technology, spinning tunes as DJ at a
school fundraiser or taking a walk to calm
an emotional student, Scroggins has plenty
of opportunities to share his infectious atti-
tude and passion for serving all students.
Scroggins was the catalyst for recent
districtwide trainings on trauma-informed
practices, so every
employee has a com-
mon understanding that
social-emotional wellness
impacts a student’s ability
to thrive academically.
Scroggins is described
by his peers as a “genuine”
leader who seeks input
from all stakeholders,
Scroggins
especially in developing
the district’s LCAP.
“He will not rest until everyone is
heard, has a voice, and can agree with
the decision at hand,” said Rescue Union
Superintendent Cheryl Olson. “I have
never seen anyone do this as well as he.”
Scroggins’ servant leadership and deep
love of people have made his schools pos-
itive, welcoming learning communities
where student needs come first.
“Dave’s willingness to walk the talk
has earned him the undeniable reputation
as an educational visionary,” said Rescue
Union Assistant Superintendent of Human
Resources Darrien Johnson.
What’s your favorite book on leadership?
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective
People,” by Steven Covey
What’s your favorite quote about leader-
ship?
“I’ve learned that people will forget
what you said, people will forget what you
did, but people will never forget how you
made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been
given?
Advice given to me when I was a vice
principal by my mentor, Darrien Johnson:
“Be patient and understanding with teach-
ers. You have done what they do, but they
have never done what you’re doing.”
What’s your best strategy for work/life
balance?
Take time to enjoy the outdoors. It is
amazing what a quick surf session or a
weekend spent skiing does to recharge the
batteries!
What are the top five life hacks that you
would recommend for a new administra-
tor?
1. You can’t always do everything, every-
day. Pick three to four priorities and make
sure those things get done. Everything else
is a bonus!
2. Don’t be afraid to ask others for their
thoughts or help. Getting advice from
other is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.
3. There are so many things that an
administrator needs to handle and keep
track of. It is imperative that one finds a
way to keep track of everything that needs
to get done. I use Google Calendar to add
not only my appointments, but also to-do
items. Then, if I don’t get them done, I can
easily move them to the next day. This way,
I am less likely to let things “fall off the
radar.”
4. Try to find ways to connect with the
people you work with, professionally and
personally. Doing fun things together, both
inside and outside of school, helps build
strong relationships.
5. Don’t forget about your family! As
mentioned above, your sanity and the
health of your family is as important as
work!
Paid Advertisement
“Take time to enjoy the
outdoors. It is amazing
what a quick surf ses-
sion or a weekend spent
skiing does to recharge
the batteries!”
Dave Scroggins
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum &
Instruction, Rescue Union School District
What made you want to become a school
administrator?
My mother-in-law dared me to apply
for an intern vice principal position, and I
never refuse a dare. But, in all seriousness, I
was attracted by the idea that I could make
an impact on more than just the 30 stu-
dents in my class.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve over-
come to get where you are?
I had to get my administrative creden-
tial while working as an intern vice princi-
pal and while raising a young family. There
were many, many late nights of coursework,
but it was worth it.
What are you most proud of accomplish-
ing?
Being able to serve as a teacher, vice
principal, principal, director, and now the
assistant superintendent all within the
same district where I started my career. It
is like getting to work with longtime fami-
ly members!
Who is someone who inspires you?
Bethany Hamilton. [The surfer whose
life was depicted in the movie “Soul
Surfer.”]
What’s your pre-game ritual to get ready
for a big meeting or presentation?
Sushi and Diet Mountain Dew!
What was the best ACSA event you’ve
attended?
El Dorado Charter’s M.S. Dixie Tahoe
Cruise Membership Event
How has ACSA supported you in your
career/current position?
ACSA has provided me with the
opportunity to network with other admin-
istrators working in similar positions or on
similar projects. The collective expertise of
all of the ACSA members is an incredible
resource!
What bucket list item do you hope to
accomplish this year?
Successfully lead the Human Resources
Department in addition to our District’s
Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology
Departments. I’m looking forward to
exploring how Human Resources can more
positively impact morale and well-being
for all.
The theme of the 2019 Leadership
Summit is “Lead Well: Equity and
Excellence.” What projects are you work-
ing on which have equity as their focus?
We’ve been doing a great deal of
work with Trauma Informed Practice,
social-emotional learning, and PBIS. We
understand that the social or emotional
needs of our students can be very different,
and providing them with targeted inter-
ventions based on their unique situations
has been challenging, but powerful.
Torres to co-lead SPI’s
closing the gap initiative
State Superintendent of Public
Instruction Tony Thurmond recent-
ly announced that he has appointed
Roseann Torres as Co-Chair of his
statewide Closing the Achievement Gap
Initiative. She will partner with Co-Chairs
Ryan Smith and Manufou Liaiga-
Anoa’i to lead work aligning with the
initiative’s goals, which include addressing
ways to close the achievement gap and
improving educational outcomes for all
California public education students.
“Roseann is a fierce advocate for stu-
dents, having herself gone from high
school dropout to becoming an award-win-
ning lawyer and public servant,” said
Thurmond, in a press release. “She is
dedicated to helping all youth, especially
struggling students who need the same
kind of guidance and mentorship she once
needed.”
Thurmond launched his Closing the
Achievement Gap Initiative with a forum
in February focusing on schools through-
out the state that have shown success in
closing the gap for African Americans and
other students of color. He followed that
up with a second forum in April to address
recruitment and retention of teachers of
color. Appointing leadership of the initia-
tive is the next step in assuring that these
efforts continue with the highest priority
and level of expertise.
Torres was raised by a single mom and
with financial challenges plaguing the
family. She did not escape her own share
of issues in high school, dropping out after
experiencing bullying in her freshman year.
Her mother, a Buddhist, stepped in to
insist that she attend youth activities at the
church. There, though guidance and men-
torship, she was able to get back on track
in high school, graduate on time, and even-
tually enroll in community college. She
later earned her bachelor’s degree in mar-
keting from San Francisco State University,
and Juris Doctor from Albany Law School.
Torres is the founding attorney and
CEO of Torres Law Group. She moved
to Oakland in March 2004 and opened
her own firm to serve the community after
seeing a huge need for bilingual attorneys.
She is also serving her second term on the
Oakland Unified School District Board
of Education as Director for District 5.
She began her legal career in government
in San Joaquin County, first as a Deputy
County Counsel then as a Deputy District
Attorney.
Becoming engaged in the Oakland
community led her to run for school board.
She is most proud of passing the Ethnic
Studies policy that is offered to all first-
year students as an A-G requirement and
a Sanctuary District policy to protect new-
comers, immigrants, and Muslim children.
She is also a member of the California
Latino School Boards Association.
www.acsa.org