Student Voices Inform Our District’s Progress

I began to understand the power of student voice when I taught 2nd grade almost 20 years ago. Every afternoon, my students led a reflective activity that identified the many positive aspects of their day as well as ways to improve the following day. This practice empowered them to develop strategies that improved the overall culture of our classroom.

Ever since, I have carried similar approaches to amplifying students’ voices throughout my career as a principal, central-office administrator and now superintendent of a 41,500-student school district.

After being named superintendent in 2016, I encouraged the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, consisting of 55 students in grades 10-12, to share feedback about school district operations. This enabled me to understand the pulse of our schools.