What: A new superintendent came to town last summer. He was my 5^th superintendent since I have been in this leadership position. In the third month on the job, after he reviewed the systems within the district, Mr. Carrizosa outlined a broad list of 12 goals. Number 10 was, “make long range technology planning a high priority.” In September during a meeting with Mr. Carrizosa together with my boss, Carlyn Lambert, Assistant Superintendent, I was asked to bring a long range planning document before the cabinet early enough to be included in next year’s budget discussions. He saw a lot of patchwork efforts in the district but most of them had no continuity. We needed a plan that would become a funding magnet.

So What: I selected this September meeting with Superintendent Carrizosa as an artifact because my role as a leader in the curriculum division was not only to develop a shared vision for the achievement of all students but to leverage and marshal sufficient resources to implement and attain this vision. My boss and the superintendent hold very powerful decision making positions. If technology was to move forward in our district, it had to be endorsed by these two powerful check-writers. In this meeting, I felt my work was sanctioned.

What’s Next: The real work begins. This endorsement, this charge is just the beginning. With my compass set and gas in my tank, I start out on a long journey to transform the culture of our district for the betterment of students and staff.