New Dist. 204 leader challenges teachers
Continuous improvement is the mantra of Indian Prairie Unit District 204 this year.
Simon says so.
"Simon says enthusiastic. Simon says focus. Simon says passion. Simon says optimistic," Superintendent Stephen Daeschner instructed a crowd of roughly 2,500 district staff members.
The new leader had teachers and administrators up and out of their seats for a game of Simon Says in the auditorium of Calvary Church in Naperville Wednesday morning during the district's annual opening day institute.
Classes begin Monday for 29,000 students in the district that includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield.
At the helm is Daeschner, who came to the district in July to replace the retiring Howie Crouse. Daeschner was previously the superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky.
Keeping the crowd laughing with his self-deprecating humor, he shared his hopes and goals for the upcoming year and said he is "learning the Indian Prairie way."
The start of classes is one of his favorite times in the school year.
"There are no kid failures, there are no teacher failures. Even the administrators haven't screwed it up yet," he joked. "Kids are coming; it's just exciting."
On a more serious note, he said in District 204 a lot of effort in the past decade has been put toward addressing the growth in the district -- building new schools, hiring staff, changing boundaries. But now, the population is stabilizing, allowing teachers to increase their focus on academic success for every student.
But for that to happen, Daeschner said, the staff will have to embrace change and encounter risks. He encouraged them to challenge their assumptions about curriculum and assessment and welcome accountability at all levels.
"I think it will take us a lot to move from good to great. I say that with brutal facts," he said. "I believe it will take a district-wide culture of honesty, loyalty. Each of you acting on the belief that you control your own academic destiny."
The staff also heard from motivational speaker Deena Ebbert, who talked about the four tenets of the FISH philosophy -- play, make their day, be there and choose your attitude.
She challenged the group to ask unexpected questions throughout the year, build relationships and to capitalize on their energy.
"We don't know what opportunity may appear when you are fully engaged in everything you do," she said.
The staff at Longwood Elementary managed to snag one of Ebbert's toy fish for Principal Laura Devine Johnston, who is anxiously awaiting the chance to welcome students back Monday morning.
"When you see how many bright smiling faces we have in 204 ready to greet the kids, how can you not be excited?" she said.