I am grateful and excited to have in-person events this year for our members to engage in networking, learning and fun. Our theme this year is self-care. As leaders we are often so focused on taking care of others and showing them compassion that we do not practice enough self-compassion and self-kindness.

I know it is difficult and easy to forget to do, but I encourage you to practice even small things to de-stress and feel prepared to tackle the opportunities each day brings: meditate, practice structured breathing, get plenty of sleep, journal write, and limited tech during non-work hours. I also encourage you to stay active in ACSA and attend our events. Coming together to share yourself, receive support from job-alike folks and fuel your mind and spirit is a great form of self-care.

Here's to a great year ahead!

During the last several months I have had the pleasure of observing and hearing the laughter, chatter, discovery, and curiosity of OUR kids as we return to in-person instruction. My heart swells and giggles at the effervescence of our kids when in our presence at school and in the community. All of OUR kids, even OUR students of trauma, find solace in being in the presence of caring adults in the school environment.

The educational setting we create has the potential to remedy any obstacles created or perceived by OUR students. Parents send OUR kids to school expecting excellent instruction, exceptional learning experiences, endearing cultural exchanges, and extraordinary involvement that will prepare them for the many opportunities school and society offer. I have witnessed such nuggets this year.

I have also witnessed how some powerful segments of our country’s population demonstrate a strong desire to return to the past. A past that continues to leave students of color and/or poverty behind. A past where the safety of our kids is compromised by our partisan politics, intentional misinformation, and an impenetrable desire to maintain the practices of the past at the cost of taking intentional, deliberate steps to save OUR kids' lives.

When OUR kids matter, adults in the system put all of OUR kids first. Every kid is OUR kid and we would do anything to ensure OUR kids are safe, protected, and advocated for by the adults in society. Let’s encourage and support legislative remedies that reduce the possibilities of OUR kids experiencing trauma at our schools.

I refuse to allow my vision for OUR kids to be eroded by our recent tragedies and yet I refuse to stand on the sidelines and do nothing. I suggest we start at the grassroots level by coalescing and activating our collective influence to write, call, and visit our local elected-officials and demand that they commit to demonstrative actions creating policies and practices that reflect how OUR kids matter to them. The new Congressional bi-partisan committee has taken a positive step to address the safety of OUR kids and educators. The details still require refinement, and we still have an opportunity to impact the final legislation.

Let’s support OUR kids by being efficacious in our desire to ensure every kid continues to enter our school walls with the laughter, play, and curiosity that is inherently a part of being one of OUR kids. I am confident in our ability as educators to significantly accelerate the opportunities for each of OUR kids to achieve their fullest potential in learning environments that support OUR kids laughter, chatter, discovery, and curiosity.

On Thursday, September 15, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools, joined education leaders throughout our county to participate in a virtual networking event sponsored by ACSA Region 8, the County Office of Education Administrators Association Charter, and the Santa Clara County Office of Education. The Making It Happen: Leading Forward Fall Event created space for self-care empowerment, knowledge building, reconnections, and inspirations around building community and uplifting girls and women.

Our esteemed 43rd U.S. Treasurer, The Honorable Rosie Rios, returned to share exciting updates on the Notable Women Project and other remarkable initiatives that use history to recognize and celebrate women, and to inspire future generations. Rios closed by introducing the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Project, aimed at bringing our country together to recognize the nation’s founding after 250 years and promised more details to come for the educational community.

The 2023 Women’s Leadership Network Spring Breakfast is scheduled for Friday, May 12, 2023, 8:00-10:00 a.m. We hope you will save-the-date and consider joining us as allies in our continued effort to empower and uplift women and girls in Santa Clara County.

ACSA members may attend for free and are encouraged to bring a colleague. For additional guests and non-ACSA members, a $15 fee is associated with the event.

Registration and more details are forthcoming.

Profiles in Leadership

Each month, the ACSA Region 8 Women’s Leadership Network and the SCCOE celebrates one leader in our crusade to honor women leaders in Santa Clara County. These Profiles in Leadership serve to inspire and empower. To nominate a leader, please email the leader’s name, contact information, and a brief paragraph about why they are being nominated to Jamie Whitford at JWhitford@sccoe.org.

Being a mentor is a unique opportunity to serve. Having a mentor is a unique opportunity to learn. What you need to know about ACSA’s Mentor Program:

• It's free to ACSA members. Not a member? Join here.
  
• ACSA members in their first or second year in any new administrative position are eligible to receive a skilled and experienced mentor.
  
• The mentor/protege relationship is confidential.
• You and your mentor will work together to establish the frequency and style of your meetings to suit your professional needs.
  
• The ACSA mentoring program is not a coaching model and does not lead to clearing one’s credential. It is a service to help build a professional relationship between a new leader and an experienced mentor, providing practical support, collegiality and collaboration in an effort to hone one’s leadership skills.

Are you ready to get started? Fill out the online form and let us find the best mentor match for you.

If you are interested in being a mentor, please fill out the form and contact Barry Schimmel at bschimmel@sbcglobal.net.

The Equity Committee met on September 15, 2022. The Committee's definition of Equity: Equity is the moral imperative to provide access and support for all marginalized persons to realize their personal best; liberating all through the eradication of systemic, cultural, and institutionalized forms of oppression.

The committee has developed an Equity Action Tool. This is a tool that can be used to identify key areas in an organization: a gap analysis, what systemic issues of an organization can be addressed when beginning equity work. The tool was reviewed and the following questions were discussed: what are our next steps and how can we share this tool. The committee members will try out/field test the tool and share their input at the January meeting. There will be a training for those who wish to field test (I will attend and share with Region 8). The goal will be to plan for a workshop or other venue at the Equity Conference for a full roll-out. It was also suggested that there be a presentation for the ACSA Board of Directors.

The next meeting is on November 2, prior to the Leadership Summit.