Winfield Dist. 34 superintendent completes Leadership Academy, named ISAL Fellow

Dr. Matthew Rich, superintendent of Winfield Elementary District 34, has earned the distinction of being named an ISAL Fellow after completing the Illinois Association of School Administrators' School for Advanced Leadership academy, an 18-month program designed to elevate superintendent's leadership skills and impact student achievement.

Rich received his diploma during a graduation ceremony held June 17 at the Illinois Association of School Administrator's headquarters in Springfield. Rich joins the list of 150 Illinois superintendents to be named an ISAL Fellow since the academy's inception in 2010. He was among 26 superintendents to graduate Friday from the cohort.

According to Rich, his experience in ISAL helped him cultivate community partnerships to promote student growth and community interactions.

"The ISAL program helped me find new ways to analyze our school district's performance and develop strategies for supporting students, staff and families," said Rich. "Working with the other ISAL superintendents was an amazing opportunity to share ideas and strategies to promote student and staff learning and welfare."

ISAL was developed and is sponsored by the Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), the statewide organization that represents public school superintendents and administrators.

The mission of ISAL is to provide experiences that build exemplary leadership, knowledge and skill sets essential for ensuring successful student achievement at the local level. As part of the academy, each superintendent develops a personal and professional growth plan, as well as a district plan for student achievement that includes conducting a comprehensive needs assessment. Each of the ISAL participants are assigned a veteran superintendent as a coach.

"In the midst of an immensely challenging stretch, I commend each of these superintendents for not being content and wanting to push themselves to become an even stronger leader," said Dr. Brent Clark, executive director of Illinois Association of School Administrators. "The IASA School for Advanced Leadership academy is providing a return on investment that is making a difference in public education."

Rich has been an educator for 27 years and superintendent of Winfield Elementary District 34 for five years.