Keep It in the Family

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE

Some of my earliest memories are of sitting at the kitchen table with my mother in the evenings, “helping” her grade her students’ English papers. I loved everything about it. The one-on-one time spent with my mom, the immersion into her world as a teacher and the “power” of the red pen she wielded.

When I was a little older, I became aware of how incredible her talent and her influence as a teacher were. Years after graduation, students would still come to our house to thank her for helping them accomplish their dreams. I’ve always had so much respect for my mom. Who wouldn’t want to have those same experiences? Sign me up. I never thought of doing anything other than teaching.

Education was a core value and a foundational force that shaped our family, as I know it has been — and is — for so many of you. Reading about the distinctive relationships between superintendents and their family members in this issue of School Administrator captures some of the best aspects of this equally challenging and rewarding job.

A Powerful Connection

For much of my life, educators were my extended family. Growing up, most of my friends and my parents’ friends were teachers. In college, I also associated myself with students who were in the education or leadership arenas. I was so fortunate that my undergraduate education led me to a phenomenal mentor, Tony Bralick.

Tony was my secondary methods professor at Carroll University, in addition to being a rock-star social studies teacher at Waukesha North and Waukesha West high schools in Wisconsin. Although he never took on student teachers, he took me under his wing as his student teacher when I was just 20 years old.

For years, I spent every Sunday with Tony and his amazing daughter, preparing our materials for the week. I learned so much from him. When Tony tragically passed away on a Saturday at a cross-country meet at only 39 years old, there was no doubt what I needed to do. I called the principal and asked to have the honor of teaching Tony’s classes the following week.

On Tuesday of that week, my undergraduate adviser showed up unexpectedly at the classroom. We both had immense respect for Tony. We embraced as we cried together, and she asked if I would take over teaching his secondary methods course at Carroll. I agreed, saying we had to “keep it in the family.” I continued teaching that class until I moved out of state.

A Significant Loss

As a superintendent, I always told every employee that regardless of an individual’s role in the school district, each staff person was an educator first — with the opportunity to make an impact on a student, teacher or parent every day. This incredible privilege should never be underestimated.

I could go on about the long list of professors, advisers, colleagues and mentors throughout my educational journey. I have even more to say about my fellow teachers, administrators, students and school board members, but it’s a simple as this: These people and this vocation are my family, my past, present and future.

I feel incredibly blessed to have been influenced by some of the best and the brightest educators and leaders this country has ever seen.

To that end, we recently lost a great educational leader in this country. Joe Cirasuolo passed away this past fall. He was an exemplary superintendent in Connecticut, a past president of AASA, the past chief operating officer of AASA, the former executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, a committed believer in public education, an incredible human being, a phenomenal mentor and a great friend to many.

We will miss Joe tremendously but know that his inspiration lives on and will continue to be manifested in many of us for years to come.

Be well, my colleagues and friends.

David Schuler is AASA executive director. Twitter: @AASA_ED