What qualities do you want in a new Mo Co Superintendent?

[Anonymous]

I'm going to one of the public meetings that BOE is holding to get our thoughts on what we feel are important qualities in a new Superintendent. We finally have a chance to get off this treadmill and take Mo Co in a new direction. What are your priorities for the new sup?

[Anonymous]

When you say get off the treadmill and head in a new direction, what did you have in mind? I'd like a superintendent that can speak to the state superintendent as a peer, rather than as an employee. I think Nancy Grasmick is overbearing.

[Anonymous]

I want a sup that has a vision of educating the whole child. I don't want this incessant pressure to test test test. I want a sup that will think out of the box and find creative ways to use our increasingly limited resources. I want the sup to rethink the 7:25 am start time for high school. I want HS students to be encouraged to do semesters abroad as exchange students. I want to bring back technologies like wood, metal, auto shop, cooking and sewing. I want courses on our financial system and personal finance to be MANDATORY. If they can't be mandatory then figure out a way to integrate it into the curriculum. I have more wants but I have to go put kids to bed. I'll be back later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want a sup that has a vision of educating the whole child. I don't want this incessant pressure to test test test. I want a sup that will think out of the box and find creative ways to use our increasingly limited resources. I want the sup to rethink the 7:25 am start time for high school. I want HS students to be encouraged to do semesters abroad as exchange students. I want to bring back technologies like wood, metal, auto shop, cooking and sewing. I want courses on our financial system and personal finance to be MANDATORY. If they can't be mandatory then figure out a way to integrate it into the curriculum. I have more wants but I have to go put kids to bed. I'll be back later.

I like these!

I would add that I want a superintendent who can support the neediest of our kids without making the system one-size-fits-all, who supports choice and variety, who understands and supports gifted education.

[Anonymous]

I want a sup that supports enriched education for all, not just GT or lo-income. I would argue that regular kids need it more than GT kids do. The boring pablum they serve in regular classes (at least in elementary school) could use a dose of enrichment. Imagine how much better all kids would do if the material was presented in an interesting, relevant manner. No one likes to learn shit in a vacuum and that's what they do in regular classes.

I want a sup that supports an integrated curriculum throughout K- 8. I will concede that it may be harder to do in HS but it could be possible.

I want a sup that wants to prepare all kids for the challenges of the future. Not just train them to take standardized tests that make the district look good.

i want a sup that supports an education philosophy that strives for depth over breadth. I'm tired of a mile wide inch deep approach.

I want a sup that requires teachers to be creative and innovative. The teachers I know now vs the ones I knew in the early 2000's have a drastically different outlook on teaching. The really good ones that were creative and loved teaching have quit because it is no longer rewarding from a professional aspect. Some have told me "why do you even need a degree anymore"? Every class teaches the same unit on the page all across the county. Woe is the teacher that has kids in the class that need a little more review or background. Sorry, we need to move on.

[Anonymous]

There is a survey on their website if you can't make a public meeting.

[Anonymous]

22:15 great ideas!

[Anonymous]

Here is the survey http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/superintendent-search/survey.aspx. The choices they give you are quite vague. The 2nd page has open ended answer section. Please please people fill it out. I did not go to the meeting tonight Did anyone else?

[Anonymous]

I want a sup who puts the needs of children's education ahead of EVERYTHING else.

I want a sup who looks at the budget with an eye towards what needs to be cut without increasing class sizes and taking away teachers. Instead, I want someone with the guts and power to stand up to unrealities in the teacher's union contract and looks for any extra savings in the administration.

Oh, and unlike someone above, I want a sup who DOES focus on the needs of the gifted kids, along w/the special ed kids AND the regular kids. The sup needs to recognize that not all kids learn at the same rates and that the schools need to teach to all kids.