As we begin to wrap-up our school year in Texas, we created an end of year Celebrations Magazine to highlight our student's accomplishments in lieu of the many awards banquets we were not able to hold due to COVID-19. I began the magazine with this opening line: "It has been an unbelievable year." And I … Continue reading Into the Unknown…
I have been working 24/7 since this pandemic began in my role as superintendent, just like all of my educator friends across the state and country have as well. I have searched every resource, looked at every model and tried to emulate the best of the best. But I forgot one major resource... my own … Continue reading What My Online Students Taught Me…
One of the things I LOVE about serving as a Superintendent in Texas is the camaraderie among our female leaders. Our state's organization supporting women school executives (TCWSE) is thriving. Not only do area groups gather throughout the year and the whole group comes together for an energy-packed, inspirational annual conference, the female superintendents have … Continue reading What’s Your Dream?
The transition to the superintendency is unique in so many ways. Not only are you working with search firms for a position that could be on the other side of the state, it is a move that involves the whole family - even if the job happens to ultimately be in the town next door. … Continue reading Inspire Hope
I had the distinct honor to lead our Convocation with our Gunter ISD staff this past week. Each year at this special event we reflect on successes from the previous year, celebrate the incredible people who help make our district amazing every day, and I spend a few moments talking about our vision for the … Continue reading Visioning What Could Be…
This piece was originally written as a two-part series for Big Deal Media to share on their Teaching4Tomorrow blog. Those blogs can be seen here: Part I, Part II. Thanks Big Deal Media for sharing these thoughts! Every district is on a journey. The incredible part of serving as a superintendent is having the privilege … Continue reading The Journey Towards Future-Ready
Isn’t it funny how impatient we are? When I think about my leadership path, I've definitely been doing this work for some time. But when I look at this most recent journey of writing and sharing on a broader platform, I have really just begun. Six months ago I went to our state's education leadership … Continue reading YOU are Enough…
I love my job; like, L.O.V.E. love my job! I was in San Antonio this past week and got to visit with a precious friend who is a missionary overseas. We were catching up on all aspects of life and she asked me this very question... What do you love about your job? So. Many. … Continue reading Thrive Through the 5%…
I shared in an earlier post that I am not very good on land... Even with my 6'1 frame, I tried all the sports and the outcome was the same. I was terrible. I started swimming when I was 15 years old; a sophomore in high school. I had improved a lot that first year … Continue reading Leading through High Expectations
As I finish this series on professional growth, I've shared thoughts around mentorship, developing your resume, public speaking and preparing for the interview. Each of these are important in developing ourselves as leaders. But I can't leave this series without talking about caring for ourselves as wives and husbands; moms and dads; as friends; as … Continue reading The Quest for Balance…
Jill M Siler 