The Bottom Line: I am a progressive career educator because I like kids; I believe students are our best resource and our hope for a more peaceful, civilized world.  If some program, personnel issue, curriculum or reform is really better for kids, then I'll pursue it tenaciously. I believe I can make a difference in the lives of students and in the relationships with staff and school communities.  I've proven leadership skills that can motivate adults to give their very best for our students and community. 

Leadership: I lead by highly visible example. I look for strengths in everyone (students, staff and community).  I possess a strong work ethic and uncompromising integrity. I am able to influence people and build their trust. 

I'm a collaborative leader by nature, yet will make single administrative decisions when consensus is impossible or inefficient. I'm a service-oriented leader who will keep the "vision" of the district constantly on the horizon. Colleagues have described me as collaborative, thoughtful, informed, proactive, innovative, creative and trustworthy. 

Building Leadership Capacity:  Having worked in a variety of educational settings, I've learned one of the most critical tasks of a school or district leader is to build leadership capacity in others.  Building capacity in others is a key to sustainable leadership. Attracting and retaining high quality school personnel requires leaders to support current staff, and help bring out the best in them.  I've always been an advocate of building leadership within an organization, and have implemented formal and informal leadership teams in every school I've had the opportunity to serve.  Supporting on-going professional development for staff is critical to improving student achievement.

Curriculum & Instruction: I've taught every elementary grade level from preschool through sixth at elementary and middle schools, K-12 library media, and college courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in education.  I've taught teachers in continuing education, and taught new and experienced teachers and principals in the process of school improvement (K-12).  This experience lends unique curriculum knowledge and credibility, motivating teachers and staff, both new and experienced. Fourteen years of classroom teaching experience and sixteen years experience in leading adults at the district, school and university level allowed me to implement effective learning strategies with adults.

Interpersonal Skills: I am positive, friendly, and compassionate. I listen effectively to seek out opinions.  I work well with others.  I have a sense of humor and a sense of purpose. I keep the district's vision while maintaining a cooperative role within the community.  I am a "team player", and have successfully built partnerships with schools, business, community groups and public agencies.

School Improvement:  The greatest schools always seek to improve - school improvement as school renewal is a constant priority.    Supporting staff and students to improve requires effective leadership, a strong commitment to students, and a constant pursuit of excellence in all areas. The ultimate measure for school improvement is student performance.  I use data effectively to determine school improvement plans, measure their effectiveness and to help staff and community be accountable for results.  

Personnel:  I've been actively involved in hiring and retaining the best licensed and para professional staff.  I've co-developed effective hiring practices and negotiated delicate personnel issues with excellent results. 

Technology: I am an avid computer multi-media user and have a strong grasp of the ever-growing importance of a good technology background as part of every student's education.  I currently use web 2.0 tools for creation and collaboration of work projects and have been an early adopter and advisor to technology innovations throughout my career. I've developed a website and authored a web-based course.  I've been a district media specialist (K-12), responsible for strategic planning, curriculum implementation, and supervision of all the libraries conversions to an automated circulation system. I've written grants to obtain and upgrade technology hardware and provide professional development in technology. Technology is an integral tool for teaching, learning, research and resource management.

School Climate: Maintaining an interesting, attractive, enriching and safe environment for learning is an essential task for every school administrator.  This encompasses everything from supporting dedicated and competent staff, supporting instruction based on best research practices, implementing a progressive curriculum, developing  vibrant activities programs, providing an inviting atmosphere for parents, allocating resources to building maintenance and facility improvement.  I have experience in designing and building new schools and remodeling existing ones.

Community Involvement: Community involvement is a natural act for me as a community member and school leader.  I've been active in my own community in school improvement projects, athletic and extra curricular fundraising, supporting local and regional educational foundations through personal giving, and long term commitments to SOLV, and Stand for Children. Most of all I'm an advocate for children and community programs, attending numerous events including athletics, drama, science fairs, and agricultural competitions.  I've volunteered to serve as a judge, coach,  co-chair, and committee member for many local, state and regional programs.   

Discipline:  Positive discipline skills are one of my strongest assets. 
Positive discipline is the best opportunity to teach because it is most often done one-on-one.  Helping students to take ownership of problems and to think through consequences builds long-term problem solving skills.  Pursuing the cause of chronic discipline problems often results in a more satisfactory long-term solution.  I encourage parent involvement, as it is key to successful student management. 

Supervision & Evaluation: Supervision is intended to improve instruction, and each teacher is unique and must be supervised in an individualized manner.  I have supervised and evaluated over 200 K-12 teachers across the country. Feedback from staff has been positive about my supervision skills.  I've successfully implemented cognitive and peer coaching programs in K-12 schools.  I maintain and support high expectations for all staff.

Budget & Finance:   I am well-versed in the necessary art of successful budget and finance practices I've successfully managed the budget and finance for a school improvement center. I presented difficult recommendations to advisory and school boards on reductions of services and ways to cut administrative costs.   I've co-authored school improvement grants.  I've managed my own private registered preschools with IDEA funds, managed a library/media budget for a school of 600, and co-managed a 1.3 million dollar school budget.  I've been responsible for student body funds, and developed a budget matrix for integration of all ESEA funds, used by five CSRD schools.  I researched, wrote and received a district wide facilities improvement & technology grant for $500,000 for the Reedville School District. I've made difficult decisions in times of dramatic budget reductions. 

Facilities Experience:  I've written and received several improvement grants, managed bids and have a working knowledge of environmental and health laws. I was the building safety officer at Banks Elementary, and co-facilitated the design process for a new elementary school with Dull, Olsen & Weeks architect. I've been involved in building remodel projects. I've secured private and public funds for building improvement projects.   I've conducted routine building inspections.