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From new policies to budget shifts toward technology, school decision makers are no strangers to change. How can leaders navigate changing opportunities and challenges and drive positive impact, while keeping the interests of students and educators at the forefront?
Ask Dr. Susan Enfield, who has more than 20 years of leadership in the school district. She is a former superintendent of Highline Public Schools and the Washoe County School District, and was named Superintendent of the Year by the National School Foundation Association in 2018 and again in 2022 by the State of Washington.
In this Q&A, Enfield shares insights on how technology can help schools overcome challenges and the value of honest and empathetic communication during times of transition. The interview was carried out as part of the Visionary Voices video series. It has been edited for clarity and brevity.
How do you think technology can play a role in many of the challenges school districts face today?
The challenges we face continue to grow, not only in magnitude but in complexity. Looking for partners who can help us provide solutions to the challenges we face is incredibly important. As superintendent, I am always looking for new and better ways we can serve students by supporting our staff by giving them the tools and resources to make their jobs a little easier and more manageable.
Whether it's through bus routing software or through teletherapy to augment the truly extraordinary work our special education staff do in person, those things matter. They make us not only a more efficient organization, but also a better organization where people feel that the organization itself is investing in them to do the great work we need them to do for our children every day.
Why should more schools adopt technology-based solutions?
Our children do not have the luxury of us not seeking every possible solution to provide them with the resources and support they need and deserve so that they graduate prepared for whatever future they choose for themselves.
How can leaders encourage their teams and communities to embrace new and innovative technology and approaches?
Establish the need, use the data if you have it and can, and then make sure to include others in the process so there is shared ownership.
What advice would you give to leaders looking to implement big changes, technology-related or not, in their districts? Difficult changes?
Be clear about the why behind the change. As leaders, we sometimes downplay the why of what we ask. When implementing any changes, make sure the rationale is clear and also aligned with your system.
Remember the impact on your people. It is important to take care of your people during the change process. And that can be recognizing the pain, recognizing the difficulties. It's really important to celebrate progress and celebrate success. It is also very important to say: “What do you need? Do you have the tools, resources and supports you need? Or is there more you need from me to be able to do this?
What should leaders think about as we wrap up this year and look ahead to the next school year?
Celebrate. Celebrate what you and your team accomplished this year. Take a moment to recognize the good work you have done throughout the year as a team. Celebrating progress is incredibly important. This work is hard. They need to know that their work is seen and valued.
Reflect. Reflect on what you would like to see differently in the future and really think about what it will take to advance that change.
Rest. You don't just need to do it for yourself; You must do it for your partner and your family. You must do it for the staff you work with and the children you serve. And so, after you've done all that work celebrating, reflecting, and planning for the year ahead, just hit the pause button.
Dr. Susan Enfield is the former superintendent of the Washoe County School District in Reno, Nevada. Prior to this, she served as Superintendent of Highline Public Schools in Burien, WA for ten years. During that time, the district developed its Highline Promise to know every student by name, strength and need so that they graduate prepared for the future of their choice.
A former high school English, journalism, and ELL teacher, Susan served as chief academic officer and then interim superintendent of Seattle Public Schools before joining Highline in 2012. She previously held leadership positions at Evergreen Public Schools ( Vancouver, WA) and Portland Public Schools. and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Susan graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and earned master's degrees from Stanford University and Harvard University. She also has a PhD in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from the Harvard Urban Superintendents Program. She was named Superintendent of the Year by the National School Foundation Association in 2018 and was Washington State Superintendent of the Year in 2022.
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