Good Afternoon. Dr. Rhonda Caldwell requested that I share again some of the information I briefly referenced earlier today. Therefore, here goes!
First of all, congratulations again to each of you upon being selected as the new Superintendent for your particular district. As I stated earlier, you were selected for a reason and our job during this next year of intensive training, coaching, and mentoring is to make sure you are well prepared for anything and everything which comes your way. We will not consider ourselves successful unless you are successful.
Second, with the addition of all of you this year, by the end of this year, I will have worked as an Executive Coach for 160 of the 173 Kentucky school Superintendents. It has been a high honor personally and I have had the opportunity to work with many very talented individuals during this time. Unfortunately, this large number also emphasizes the high turnover rate of Kentucky Superintendents. Therefore, I would say to you that you need to focus on building those productive relationships with your Board Members, with your Central Office Team, with your Faculty and Staff, and, indeed, with everyone in your school community. I can also promise you that, during this year in the New Superintendent Training, you will be blessed to have excellent faculty, you will have a strong, well-qualified Mentor, and your will have rock solid support from Wayne, Rhonda, and the entire KASA Team.
Speaking of numbers, due to the fact that I will be traveling across the entire state this year to visit you in your District, and since these visits must be scheduled in a relatively compact time, I need each of you to work with me to schedule the first full day visit prior to your departure tomorrow. Hopefully, we can schedule this first visit for a day in August or September.
What can you expect from me as your Executive Coach?
* 24/7 access via email, fred@kasa.org, cell or text at 270-202-7762.
* Every Discussion we have is confidential.
* Suggestions, Advice, a Listening Ear
* Connections with resources and personnel at KDE, KASA, KASS, KSBA, CPE, EPSB, and elsewhere. Due to my advanced age,
I am fortunate enough to have some excellent contacts in all those places.
* Extra visits, beyond the four, to your District as needed.
* Private discussions via phone, email, skype, text, face-time, or in person whenever and wherever we all meet throughout the year
For training purposes.
* We will get very well acquainted and my intentions will be to always "sing your praises" when I visit a Board Meeting, visit your
Central Office - or talk with your Spouse!
Leadership Philosophy - you are entering the most important position in the lives of youngsters in your District. You are joining a fraternity of brothers and sisters. This means:
* Relationships matter - Be an Optimist or fake it!
* Show leadership by example!
* Always do the right thing.
* Expect the work to be difficult and challenging but also very exhilarating, exciting, and fulfilling.
* You will experience a Honeymoon Year this year.
I really look forward to renewing acquaintances and making new acquaintances as we work and grow together throughout this year. I am honored and humbled to be working with you and hope you will not hesitate to contact me if I may assist you in any way throughout this initial year and beyond.
With Highest Regards.
Fred