A Transformative Visit to Indian Hill Exempted Village School District: Lessons in Leadership and Innovation

by Dr. Erika Bower, Superintendent, Ridgedale Local Schools (Ohio)

Visiting the Indian Hill Exempted Village School District as part of the Innovation for Transformation Cohort site visit, hosted by AASA, was an honor and a privilege beyond words. While I had followed their progress vicariously through social media, witnessing their strategic plan—aptly named the IH Promise—come to life in person was truly awe-inspiring. The visit offered a wealth of actionable strategies, boundless energy, and practical tools for visitors to bring back to their own districts.

Dream Big: A Vision for the Future

From the moment we arrived, the Indian Hill team emphasized the significance of visionary leadership. Mick Davis, the district's CFO, spoke passionately about the need to "dream big." He underscored how essential it is to remain competitive for students by creating facilities that foster optimal learning environments. His message to cohort members was clear: every financial decision should prioritize students.

Every financial decision should prioritize students.

Leadership for All: Empowering Everyone

CEO and Superintendent Kirk Koennecke delivered a compelling challenge to all educators: "Leadership must be for all." He emphasized that leadership is constant, leadership is critical, and leadership is a choice. He encouraged attendees to reflect on their own practices, asking, "What are we doing now that students could be doing?" This belief was demonstrated in action as student ambassadors led us on tours, eloquently showcasing how they embody the IH Promise—becoming learners as doers, individuals, and whole children.

The tour included first-grade classrooms designed around project-based learning, demonstrating how students engage in hands-on, real-world problem-solving. We also heard about "GO (Grow Ourselves) Time," where students explore personal passions, from the stock market to hydroponic gardening. Programs like "The Big Pitch" allow students to present ideas to a panel of community leaders, turning their dreams into reality. One standout example was the "Braves on a Mission" initiative, where a student's vision to support the community came to life. Students are also offered "experience-ships," enabling them to explore careers through internships, shadowing, and hands-on immersion in their chosen fields.

Touring the Indian Hill High School Television Network room.

A Promise for All: Leadership as the Foundation

Indian Hill's commitment to its students and community serves as a guiding light for their district and an inspiration to others. We were reminded that leadership is not just another “plate,” but it is “the plate.” Everything we do is served through leadership. Superintendent Koennecke encouraged us to be the biggest cheerleaders for students in our districts, ensuring that adult decisions never hinder student success.

A student ambassador at Indian Hill Primary School explains how and why they shifted from recorders to ukuleles during COVID.

Superintendent Koennecke’s message was perfectly encapsulated in a quote he shared from Phill Dooley: "The best teams are made up of a bunch of nobodies who love everybody, serve anybody, and don’t care about becoming a somebody." This visit left us with a powerful charge to move forward, choose leadership, and share it generously.

Author

Erika Bower

Superintendent, Ridgedale Local Schools (Ohio)

Check out the Innovation for Transformation Consortium Site Visit 2024 Recap Video!

Innovation for Transformation Consortium

This consortium is designed to inspire and support educational leaders in driving dynamic change, combining expertise in transformational leadership, innovative and personalized student learning experiences, and STEM education to create powerful opportunities for growth and advancement in schools across the nation.

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