Getting Smart Podcast 252 - Kristi Dominguez & Ellen Dorr: Leading Central Systems Through COVID-19 with Optimism, Hope & Love
This week, Getting Smart is bringing you another bonus episode as a part of their Getting Through series. Getting Smart launched this series to support educators, leaders, and families during this uncertain time and extended school closures. They have curated and created resources and inspiration around new learning environments, and are addressing equity and access from a new lens.
Today, the team is bringing you a recent conversation with Kelly Nickels, the Learning Design Manager at Getting Smart. She is joined by Kristi Dominguez and Ellen Dorr — two key district leaders from Washington State. Kristi is the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at Bellingham Public Schools and Ellen is the Chief Technology Officer at Renton School District.
Listen in to learn more about leading central systems through COVID-19 with optimism, hope, and love. Kristi and Ellen share how central office leadership can really coalesce its talents, insight, and wisdom to do what’s best for kids in the midst of unprecedented challenges and how to lead in a time of crisis.
Key Takeaways:
[:11] About today’s episode.
[:55] Kelly introduces herself and welcomes on guests, Kristi and Ellen!
[1:53] In the midst of a pandemic, what really matters right now?
[4:55] In Kristi’s and Ellen’s central leadership roles, have they talked about the impact around test scores, college readiness, and grade level proficiency amid the coronavirus pandemic?
[7:08] How have Kristi and Ellen seen their team members care for each other during this crisis?
[10:44] What are some ways that Kristi and Ellen are seeing different kinds of connectivity in the community happening? And what are some of the gaps and needs they are currently working on addressing? Additionally, what are some partnerships and collaborations that they would like to see continue, even after the crisis is over?
[16:47] How are their teams continuing to nurture students’ connection to learning amid a crisis where schools are shut down? And how are they working with and communicating with the teachers and parents?
[22:34] Jessica shares an important resource with listeners: GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough.
[23:15] Kelly, Kristi, and Ellen continue their conversation about nurturing students’ connection to learning amid the coronavirus pandemic.
[25:42] What are the new possibilities that come from settling into a new normal? And how do we learn from each other? What new openings have been popping up now that never occurred in the previous structures?
[29:17] Have Kristi and Ellen given any thought to what returning to school will look like? How might things be different?
[35:28] Learning and school are not synonymous. Kristi and Ellen highlight some of the key ways this pandemic has illustrated this.
[38:02] How, as district leaders, do they plan on ensuring that the momentum they’ve built with the pandemic continues even after it has ended?
[42:43] Kristi and Ellen give their closing thoughts and advice to other district leaders, educators, and parents.
[45:42] Kelly thanks Kristi and Ellen for joining the podcast!
[46:30] Jessica closes out the Getting Smart podcast and shares additional resources.
Mentioned in This Episode:
GettingSmart.com/GettingThrough
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