Q: What's a typical day for a District Administrator?
A: There really is no typical day for a district administrator, because I
constantly adjust my schedule to deal with priorities and needs as they arise. I
am on call 24 hours, seven days a week, and must be prepared to deal with
emergencies as they arise regardless of the time of day.
I start my day on my home computer at 5:30 a.m. responding to e-mails and
reviewing
Q: How does Baraboo's school system stack up, in terms of student performance, to others in the state?
A: Our students perform above the state average on WKCE tests and ACT scores. However, a few years ago we started to take a closer look at our reading scores at each level and with each subgroup in our district, i.e. English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged students. With No Child Left Behind, all districts will be required to demonstrate that 100 percent of students are proficient in the areas of reading and math by 2013. We began to address student achievement in our district with a literacy initiative which remains a district goal. The initiative emphasizes quality professional development for teachers, a variety of instructional strategies, and ongoing assessments. We use a variety of assessments other than just the state WKCE to monitor student's progress and to identify individual students who may need additional support or interventions. Teachers also use formative assessments to modify their instruction and to evaluate the effectiveness of our curriculum. Visit our School Performance Report Web site link at www.baraboo.k12.wi.us/district/spr2008.cfm for more information.
Q: We've heard that the district has an innovative program for training and mentoring new teachers. Can you give us some details?
A: All districts are required to provide mentoring to initial educators
according to PI-34. The
Teresa Lien, Instructional Facilitator, coordinates the program which includes two years of ongoing orientation and professional development for new teachers, as well as trained mentors.
Teaching Today, a state-wide publication for educators, features a monthly article written by Ms. Lien for new teachers across the state.
In addition, Baraboo's program has been named a Promising Program by the Department of Public Instruction. Visit our website link athttp://www.baraboo.k12.wi.us/faculty/mentor/index.cfm for more information on the district's mentoring program.
Q: What will Baraboo's school system look like 10 years from now?
A: Technology and 21st century skills are dramatically changing our education system. As a school district we must continue in our efforts to raise the bar to ensure that our students meet the demands of a changing world. Our students must have a deep foundational knowledge of the basics of a quality education in the core areas to create the foundation on which all future knowledge is built. Just as importantly, our students also must have the specific skills that are necessary for success in the 21st century. In this way, our students must know how to reason and apply those critical thinking skills. They must know how to work with people on the other side of the office, the other side of the shop floor and on the other side of the globe. Our students must be well-rounded.
They must understand ethics, have opportunities to express themselves through the arts and they must be exposed to financial literacy to understand concepts like credit cards and planning for retirement. Finally, students must learn how to be trained and retrained for jobs that don't yet exist in industries that have not yet been invented. As I said, our students must be ready for a world that is changing faster even than the one in which we now live.
So our biggest challenge is for our school district to keep up with those expectations to ensure that our students are well prepared for their future and ours. What will our school system look like in 10 years? I don't think anyone can answer that question because it will constantly be evolving and changing during the next decade.
Q: What's the latest on the district's communications plan?
A: I have been very pleased with community participation on the two Superintendent's advisory committees, as well as the input that we are receiving from the community through various methods.
The next Community Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for May 12 at 6:30 PM at the High School media center. All citizens are invited and encouraged to attend this meeting which will include a discussion on the list of district priorities that the group has generated. A communication plan update will be presented to the School Board on April 27 at 6:00 PM in the High School media center.
Q: How can parents get involved in their children's education? Are there any volunteer opportunities for community members?
A: We have unlimited volunteer opportunities for parents and community members. To date we have over 300 individuals in our volunteer program. Some volunteers donate their time on a weekly basis, while others can offer to help with one-time activities.
Parents interested in becoming more involved in their child's education or citizens wanting to offer their time or skills, may contact Donna Baker, Community Education Director at 355-3925 or visit our volunteer website link at www.baraboo.k12.wi.us/faculty/communityed/volunteerapp.cfm for more information.
Q: What's in your CD player?
A: In my car, I'm listening to Joel Osteen - "Become a Better You:7 Keys to Improving Your Life Everyday."
I enjoy audio books. In my office I listen to "The Healing Garden," which is a soundscape collection to renew mind, body and spirit.
I know these choices aren't exactly the top 10 collection, but I like to start and end my day with positive thoughts and energy.