Dr. Dania Bazzi, named 2022 Michigan Superintendent of the Year, by the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators, leads transformative change in Ferndale Public Schools “creating an equity-based strategic plan; ensuring that policies and practices align with the district's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; designing systems of schools to meet the needs of all students; and addressing the achievement gap by increasing minority and low income participation in honors and AP classes. Prioritizing time for S.E.L. equips students with content skills and 'life skills'. School leaders as teaching and learning experts, make decisions rooted in what's best for kids. For superintendents, it's important to be visible, honest and accessible." https://www.ferndaleschools.org/
Dr. Maxfield and Dr. Klein congratulated Dr. Dania Bazzi on being named 2022 Michigan Superintendent of the Year, by the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators. Mentioned in the nominating materials was the fact that her district earned the Equity Innovator Award for 2019. Dr. Bazzi discussed the district’s commitment to equitable learning opportunities for all students, the current initiatives, the importance of teacher leadership, teacher recruitment and retention, equitable school funding, and concluded the conversation with advice for current superintendents and school leaders.
Her leadership journey included employment at Ford Motor Company as a project manager, followed by a teaching position at John Glenn High School in Westland. She pursued her doctorate and served as a School Improvement Consultant at Jackson County Intermediate School District; Director of Teaching and Learning at Hamilton Community School; Superintendent of Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools. Securing the superintendency in Ferndale “was like winning the lottery, having the same goals, values and really dedicated to always doing what's best for students.”
“We’ve been committed to really transformative change within the district, providing an equitable experience for every student within the district. We partnered with Great Lakes Equity, out of Indiana University, as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion. That partnership has really been so impactful to the Ferndale Public Schools, examining if our policies match our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, whether it is board policy; student codes of conduct; dress codes. Are these equitable policies that ensure all students have the ability to pursue their life's passion? “
“It catapulted us into creating an equity-based strategic plan. To achieve the goals of our strategic plan there has to be equity that runs through the veins of each of those pillars of our strategic plan. The partnership with Great Lakes led to policy change; to an equity-based strategic plan; to the creation of our district Diversity Committee and Equity Task Force; and most importantly it led to curricular changes to ensure that our curriculum is aligned and represented by our student body.”
"One metric used to measure the success of the systemic approach to equity is the growth and achievement of our students. Our focus was student participation in A.P. and honors classes. Students who identified as black were not represented in those courses, so we made systemic efforts to ensure that students have the opportunity and the support needed to be successful in those courses. In a matter of a year we increased student participation in A.P. classes by 14%, of which 95% were successful in those A.P. courses. So again, it comes down to access, and removing any barriers that prevent students from taking advantage of the opportunities that we have within our schools.”
“One thing that's unique about Ferndale is our commitment to our social-emotional learning curriculum, recognized at the state and federal level. We prioritized time integrated into our PreK-12 school day to work on the five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and reasonable decision making. People may call these 'soft skills'; these life skills are essential. Content skills are important as it relates to being college and career ready, however, to be a student who is ready to make an impact on the world both content and ‘soft skills’ sets are needed.”
When asked what might have been learned over the last 18 months which has challenged schools, teachers, families and students, Dr. Bazzi commented on the digital divide; access to technology and the Internet. Fortunately the district’s Technology Director applied for and was awarded a grant providing a Chromebook to every student to keep at home. What also came to light was the reliance that some families had on their students to work to help the family make ends meet, thus impacting students’ virtual school attendance. The importance of in-person learning was also highlighted during the pandemic when everyone missed just being together. The pandemic did allow more flexibility with parent meetings, which were typically done in the evening, and now can be done virtually.”
Dr. Bazzi also reflected that during the pandemic “the human connection piece is key and the government and public put so much responsibility on public education.Along with the role of educator, teachers also assumed the roles of nurse, confidante, and social worker in order to support students in all ways, taking on that responsibility with great pride.”
The district has developed a career ladder that recognizes and encourages leadership roles. Dr. Bazzi expressed her support for teacher leadership. “It is important that teachers take on leadership as experts in the classroom in terms of teaching and learning. We really need instructional leaders leading our buildings. Building management is really important but it’s not focus of what we ask of administrators in today's times. We're asking people to be teacher leaders, to be teaching and learning experts as superintendents, as principals, and various other administrative roles. In my career taking teacher leaders into administrators positions have been my most successful hires. If they're an authentic teacher leader, people will follow them because they have trust and belief in that person, they know who they are, and they know that they have the expertise to lead them.”
In response to how Ferndale will recruit, hire, retain and develop the next generation of leaders, Dr. Bazzi referred to their efforts to grow their own teachers from within their student body. “The district is participating in Wayne State University’s Urban Educator Path. Students can be dual enrolled to take collegiate education courses, held on site at the high school, leading toward a teaching degree at Wayne State. Students graduating from Ferndale can take a teacher education path and then are able to come back.”
“The second piece is that Human Resources revamped the hiring process to clearly articulate the district vision and mission throughout the interview process so candidates understand our commitment to social equity, social justice, and our celebrated pride in our diversity. We want people who are committed to us for the long term, because teacher tenure and administrator tenure have an impact on student achievement. Our HR approach is really to continue to build partnerships that let people know what Ferndale is about and highlighting the great work that we do, and telling our story. If we don't share what we're doing how will anyone know? So I really urge districts to tell your story and celebrate your success to create that school family atmosphere and let people know what you're about.”
Returning to the topic of the high school students who are dual enrolled in college classes for teacher education, Dr. Bazzi advises the students “that as teachers you help students achieve their goals and every year you hear of successes of your former students. As a secondary teacher you are having an impact on 150 kids a day and as an elementary teacher, you are creating really strong bonds with 25 to 30 students in a particular year. Having that impact has intrinsic value that money just can’t buy. And there is a sense of familial community that you just don’t get in the corporate world. I always tell people you do have to be a patient person, an empathetic person, a strong person to be an educator but your impact will go on far longer than you're even here on this earth.”
In closing, Dr. Bazzi pointed out an additional issue that arose from the pandemic, which was the need for school funding to be addressed in Michigan. "I think the funding of schools has come out and people have really put in the time and effort and study to show the why behind this. Equitable school funding has to be addressed, especially with what we have been able to do with our COVID relief funds."
Her final advice was for superintendents and school leaders. “Every decision you make has to be rooted in what's best for kids, not based on outside pressures. Adult problems are adult problems and shouldn't impact kids.Ultimately you have to be able to explain the 'why' of your decision making. I will say that as a superintendent another piece of advice that is important for all of us, have a mentor. I still reach out to colleagues when I have a complex situation. Always seek to understand. Lastly, as a superintendent it's very important that the community knows you and knows you care about their kids, and you are visible at school events. Seeing students outside of the classroom is vitally important for the superintendent role. My goal is to have as many students know who I am and know that they have access to me for whatever it is that they might need. It’s important to be visible, be honest, and be accessible.”
https://www.ferndaleschools.org/
dania.bazzi@ferndaleschools.org
Bob Maxfield:
Welcome to Podcast for Leaderful Schools coming to you, almost live from Oakland University of Rochester, Michigan, actually from the Galileo Institute at Pawley Hall, in the School of Education and Human Services. This is Bob Maxfield and my wonderful co- host, Dr. Sue Klein, is with me and we're approaching the winter break. Thanksgiving is behind us and it's a time when everybody is rushing a little faster than they normally would but we're glad we could take the time to do this today. Our guest is Dr. Dania Bazzi, who is the Superintendent of the Ferndale Michigan Schools and she was also recently named as the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators (MASA) Superintendent of the Year. And that is a rare honor that I much congratulate you for…
[00:48-->00:49]
Suzanne Klein:
Congratulations Dania.
[00:51 -->01:10]
Bob Maxfield:
…your selection of that and in the next 20 or so minutes I think we'll have a chance to understand a bit why that selection occurred. So as we officially welcome you, take a minute to just to have our listeners learn a little bit more about who you are, what your background is and how you got to this particular gig that you have right now.
[01:11 -->04:17]
Dania Bazzi:
Thank you, first, thank you for having me, and you know my road to the education path was one that I always knew would be there, but it happened in a way that kind of was you know, a surprise. I grew up in Wayne, Michigan, attended Wayne Memorial High School, and when I went off to college the one thing I knew was that I loved mathematics. I enjoyed doing math. I enjoyed the, you know, the lack of subjectivity rather objectivity you had when doing it. So I majored in mathematics.
And when I graduated my parents said, so what are you going to do the math degree. And I thought to myself well I'm not sure, I didn't think that that far ahead. And so I went and worked as a consultant at Ford Motor Company and I did project management. And I did that for a total of five years, but within three years, I realized that although it was a great profession and all my respect to people in the auto industry, I just couldn't see myself punching numbers in a cube for the next 30 years.
And so I was hoping to take my love of math and help students discover that same love, so I went into teaching and I was a teacher at John Glenn High School in Westland, Michigan. From there you know I pursued my Ph.D. and just started getting into teacher leadership opportunities, because I knew that I wanted to continue to have greater impact as I went on. I also knew how important it was to be a good practitioner and a strong teacher, as that would certainly help leadership. I was very fortunate to work with exceptional educators at Jackson County I.S.D. (Intermediate School District) as a School Improvement Consultant; as a Director of Teaching and Learning at Hamilton Community Schools. Prior to working in Ferndale I was the Superintendent of Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools, which is in southwest Michigan. My first superintendency was a great community, and it really gave me a lot of the “life lessons”.
My husband and I's family are both on the east side of the state. We had both moved for work opportunities, kind of following each other as we pursued our dreams. And we just decided at one point, after having two boys, two sons, we decided that it was time to come back home. And I tell you finding the job in Ferndale was, I equate it to kind a like hitting the lottery, you know finding a community that has the same goals, has same values and is really dedicated to always doing what's best for students. I landed in Ferndale and really not thinking that I was, you know that I had the best chance, coming from a small rural community, and I remember you know four years ago getting the job and really ever since then has been a great experience.
[04:17-->05:01]
Bob Maxfield:
Let's turn now then to your experience in Ferndale and your wonderful service there and that the service achieved this wonderful recognition. One of the things mentioned in the nominating materials that went to MASA was the fact that your district earned the Equity Innovator Award for 2019. And one of the things I've always admired about Ferndale going way back long before your time, was its commitment to equity, its commitment to diversity, and its ability to have a, to successfully provide support for a very wide range of folks both economically and racially. So talk a little bit about that. How does that play out in the Ferndale Schools? Why do you suppose you got that recognition?
[05:05 -->07:00]
Dania Bazzi:
You know I think we've been committed to really transformative change within the district, providing an equitable experience for all students, and when we say all we mean all, every student within the district. So we partnered up with Great Lakes Equity, which is out of Indiana University. They're funded through the federal government and they work with schools as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion. That partnership has really been, I really, it's been so impactful to the Ferndale Public Schools in terms of our policy as it relates to students. Do our policies match our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion? And so we've really taken a look at everything: whether it's board policy; whether it's student codes of conduct; dress codes; and really taking a look at are these equitable policies that ensure all students have the ability to pursue their, you know, their life's passion.
So the other thing it did is it catapulted us into creating an equity-based strategic plan. So in order for us to achieve the goals of our strategic plan there has to be equity that runs through the veins of each of those pillars of our strategic plan. So the partnership with Great Lakes again it led to policy change; it led to an equity-based strategic plan, it led to the creation of our district Diversity Committee and Equity Task Force; and then most importantly it led to curricular changes to ensure that our curriculum is aligned and represented by our student body.
[07:01 -->07:13]
Bob Maxfield:
So really that whole commitment to a systemic approach to equity is, you know clearly demonstrated. What proof do you have that it works? What are some of the metrics that you're holding up right now and say that this has been successful?
[07:14 -->07:28]
Dania Bazzi:
So ultimately right, things come down to growth and achievement of our students, right. Are our students college and career ready when they leave… our wall? One way that we've really measured this is to look at student participation in A.P.(Advanced Placement) and Honors classes at our schools. When we first started to take a look at that, we saw that our students who identified as black were not represented in those courses, and so we made systemic efforts to ensure that students have the opportunity, and had the support needed to be successful in those courses. In a matter of a year we increased student participation in A.P. classes by 14%, of which 95% were successful in those A.P. courses. So again, it comes down to making sure that people have access, and that we're removing any barriers that prevent students from taking advantage of the opportunities that we have within our school.
[08:25 --> 08:41]
Bob Maxfield:
As I reviewed the materials that were submitted on your behalf for the MASA award, there were a number of other sources of success and pride. So what else would you hold up besides the genuine and comprehensive commitment to equity?
[08:42 -->09:26]
Dania Bazzi:
One thing that's unique about Ferndale is our commitment to our social emotional curriculum, our S.E.L. curriculum, which was really recognized at the state and federal level. Basically, we have prioritized this and made sure to integrate it into our school day, integrate time to work on these competencies. And they're called the five core competencies which are: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and reasonable decision making. And so a lot of times people will call these 'soft skills' right, these are 'soft skills'. No, no, these are essential skills.
[09:26 -->09:27]
Bob Maxfield:
They're real.
[09:28 -->10:53]
Dania Bazzi: They're real, right because let me ask you, has anyone ever asked you, what’s the distance formula in a job interview? Or asked you to compute the distance formula?” No. Have they asked us to make decisions when there's high stakes pressure? Have they asked us to collaborate as a team? Have they asked us to manage our emotions as whether we be our students or adults right? The content is important, don’t get me wrong. Content is important as it relates to being college and career ready, right. If you're an electrician you need to know basic Algebra 1, that's a fact. But this is not either or.
To be a student who is ready to make impactful, an impact on the world we have to have both of those skill sets; they are both essential. And a lot of times people say, no it's either this or this, right. High school teachers say, I teach content, I teach calculus, I don't teach self-management, right. Well it's important that we incorporate that into our school day, and I think our commitment to that PreK- 12, that time is allotted in the school day to make sure that that's a focus.
[10:54 -->11:58]
Suzanne Klein:
It sounds like Ferndale Schools have really been thoughtful in their re-imagining and reinventing prior to the pandemic arriving, as you just have been describing the social emotional skills work, the 'real skills'- real life skills impact that has and the fact that you have a focus on all, and truly mean all students is commendable. And yet as I say that, I know that the conditions of the last 18 months or so have also tested not only what the school district had in its plan, but certainly challenged families, challenged teachers, challenged your students particularly as the time rolled by, and then they returned to school.
Talk to us a little bit about now that Ferndale Schools is back to in-person learning, what are some of the things that you might have put in your department of lessons really learned, that you thought you knew about before, or also some things that might have appeared that weren't on your radar screen.
[12:00 --> 12:23]
Dania Bazzi:
You know I think what it brought to light is kind of a digital divide, right, access to technology and Internet, those have certainly been-we've seen that gap. Ferndale's very fortunate; our tech director applied for a grant that we were just awarded about a month ago, that will actually provide a Chromebook to every student within the district to keep at home.
[12:25 -->:12:26]
Suzanne Klein:
Excellent.
[12:27 -->15:17]
Dania Bazzi:
Our goal was to get to one-to-one, and it’s going to be two-to-one because we'll be able to send students home with that technology at home. One thing that also I think came to light during the pandemic that we really didn't see, is really the reliance that some of our families have on their students to work, right, to help out the family and to pitch in because you know there's help needed to make ends meet. I think that the pandemic brought this to light more, and when you're in a virtual environment some students were working and that's why not attending, you know, attending schools. I think one thing that that brought to light is the importance of our social emotional health and needs, right here now mental health coming to the forefront.
I also think that it proved to us how important it is to be in-person with our students. Nothing can replace the in-person connection between teachers and students. I don't, you know Canvas is wonderful, Schoology is wonderful. They're wonderful tools that meet the needs of some of our learners, right. Some of our learners have to be out of school for various reasons, and we are committed to creating a systems of schools, rather than one school system, we are, but there is nothing more powerful than the connection between a teacher and a student. And really we saw that during the pandemic how much everyone missed just being together. There's, you can't replace that.
I think what it's done, is it does allow us to have a little bit more flexibility so parent meetings that were typically done in the evening, and it was hard for families to come back in the evening, now can be done virtual. You know, those are the types of things now we can capitalize on and really take the best things that came out of the pandemic that will make us more efficient, but also understanding that that human connection piece is key, and in one all... The most important thing, I think it showed us is that the most noblest profession is that of educators. The government, everyone puts so much responsibility on public education right, we are to be the nurse; we are to be the confidante; we are to be the educator; we are to be the social worker. We have to support our students in all ways, which I wouldn't have it any other way, like we take on that responsibility with great pride. But it just shows how important public education is to support our youth as they head into adulthood.
[15:19 -->16:02]
Suzanne Klein:
Well it's clear that Ferndale Schools and your leadership in particular, sees very clearly the impact of education on every child in the district. And the notion of how we re-imagine, how we reinvent, how we pave the road to the extent we can so that all children are going to be successful, knowing that might mean different things for different students, is the kind of school that I think parents in district, kind of place that parents want their children to be. You also talked about the role of teachers and I know Ferndale has had a very strong culture of teacher leadership and the impact that that has. Talk with our listeners a little bit about how you see that role of teacher leaders in the Ferndale Schools.
[16:03 --> 18:31]
Dania Bazzi:
So I think it's so important for teachers to take on that leadership; they are the experts in the classroom in terms of teaching and learning. The notion that used to exist a long time ago where principals or administrators were building leaders managers, that concept is now outdated, right, and we really need instructional leaders leading our buildings. Building management is really important, but it's not the focus of what we ask of administrators in today's times. We're asking people to be teacher leaders, to be teaching and learning experts as superintendents, as principals, and various other administrative roles.
Also, I think that many times staff, teachers have those aspirations but don't really, don't have the experience to know what path should I take to get there. I know that if it weren't for great mentors, I wouldn't be where I am today, you know I wouldn't have had these experiences, these opportunities if people didn't believe in me, give me the advice, the professional development, and the opportunities to do those things. I also think that sometimes again this works sometimes not all the time, but I have found that when I take a teacher leader of a building and make them a leader in the district, you know there's the complexity that people will say, well they have relationships with staff so it's going to be hard to be their boss.
If they're an authentic teacher leader, people will follow them because they have trust and belief in that person, they know who they are, and they know that they have the expertise to lead them. So again, in my career taking teacher leaders into administrators positions have been my most successful hires. And so I want to make sure that people have the opportunity to go after their dreams because again their impact will be far reaching if we give them those opportunities. So I want people to be able to achieve the things that they set out to do and I want to be able to support them, so when I look at my resume-My resume to me is how many people have moved on to things that they have passion for. So if the people are not successful under my leadership, then I would question my leadership.
[18:32 --> 18:56]
Suzanne Klein:
You raise an interesting perspective, the whole notion of learning and leading, and leading and learning being very reciprocal during our careers as educators and the notion that there are times when we might be leading and supporting the next folks that are coming along, other times we're being led by different folks in the organization, and some of them may be teachers.
[18:56 --> 18:57]
Dania Bazzi:
That's right.
[18:58 --> 19:44]
Suzanne Klein:
And you're the superintendent and you're one of the learners while that other person is leading. And using that as a bridge to the next question that we have for you, there've been a lot of teachers and formal school leaders, teacher leaders as well, who have chosen to retire. It's that time in their life cycle and or, in some cases it was the pandemic and complications that might have arisen from that. Knowing that, how do you go about recruiting, hiring, retaining, developing that next generation of leaders in Ferndale? What are you doing so that that next generation is ready to step with that high standards, high energy, high engagement, focus on all kids, because your district is charting a wonderful path that you don't want to lose momentum in?
[19:45 --> 22:01]
Dania Bazzi:
One of the main things that we've done recently is we started a partnership with Wayne State University called the Urban Educator Path, and it's where our students can be dual enrolled to take education courses at the collegiate level that would then go towards a teaching degree at Wayne State. We really are trying to grow our own teachers from within our student body, so that when you graduated from Ferndale then go, you know, take a path, a teacher education path and then are able to come back. And by facilitating that, the courses are held on site you know, at our high school where students can then participate in those courses. You know that for us is one important piece.
Another important thing is our HR recently revamped, in line with our strategic plan, revamped our hiring process, so that Ferndale’s vision and mission are clearly articulated through the interview process, so they know that we are a district committing, committed to social equity and social justice; they know that we're a district that is proud of our diversity and celebrate that, so that people know, Hey this is, you know there's a mission behind the school district, this is where we want to work. And for some people, it really lets them know maybe this isn't for us, you know. Because we want people who are going to be committed to us for the long term, because we know that teacher tenure as well as administrator tenure has an impact on student achievement. So our HR approach is really to continue to build partnerships that let people know what Ferndale is about and highlighting the great work that we do, and telling our story again from a humble approach. But if we don't share what we're doing how will anyone know? So I really urge districts to tell your story and celebrate your success to create that school family atmosphere and let people know what you're about.
[22:02--> 22:03]
Suzanne Klein: And why.....
[22:03--> 22:30]
Bob Maxfield:
Another thing you talked about a couple minutes ago that I think also adds to your ability to attract and retain teachers at this time, and that is the opportunity to grow, because really clearly what you described Dania was a career ladder approach. You know you don't have to move into administration, as a teacher you can assume more and more or different levels of responsibility and you've clearly structured a system in which that can happen, so that too will be helpful.
[22:32 --> 22:48]
Suzanne Klein:
I'm curious what advice as you talk to those students that are your high school students who are dual enrolling, what advice do you have for them about why teaching is just an amazing career, and why being an educator is one of those very special opportunities for one's life?
[22:49 -->23:49]
Dania Bazzi:
You know what I look at, is I look at students who are going to college, obviously with aspirations of achieving their goals, and I basically explain to students or even you know, people who I tried to recruit to the teaching field that this is where you get to facilitate, you get to be a medium to help students achieve their goals. And so every year you get to hear of successes of your former students, the things that they're doing. I also think that life, you know, as it relates to civil service again is an honorable route to take. Having that impact has intrinsic value that you know that money really just can't buy. And it's one of those things where when I'm talking to a younger teacher, the first thing I tell them is don't measure the teaching profession always by your first year, because I can remember my first as a teacher and there was definitely a learning curve.
[23:51 --> 23:53]
Suzanne Klein:
Yes, me too.
[23:54 --> 25:45]
Dania Bazzi:
It's normal you know. And again when I worked at Ford Motor Company, for the first year there were days I wanted to hide in my cubicle because I'm thinking I don't understand all the acronyms, I don't understand vehicle timing plans. But there will be growth so never go into it thinking that it has to be perfection the first year. You know there's, you have to be open to the learning. And at the end of the day, you know who are educating students? You, and having a secondary teacher probably having an impact on 150 kids a day; elementary teachers establishing really strong bonds with 25 to 30 students in a particular year. And then that sense of community that you just don't get in the corporate world. You don't get that sense of familial community.
I will say also that you know a lot of people are motivated by you know financial gains and there is a path. If you're the best in your profession the money will follow, but don't let money be what drives the path, the money will follow. So I always tell people you do have to be a patient person, an empathetic person, a strong person to be an educator but your impact will go on far longer than you're even here on this earth. People will remember your name and say, I remember this teacher, I remember the collective faith they had in me. And I still have teachers to this day that I, you know that I'm able to keep in contact with who I still can feel the warmth and the energy that they provided me as a young student. That never goes away.
[25:47-->25:48]
Suzanne Klein:
That’s a wonderful thing.
[25:49 -->25:52]
Bob Maxfield:
You got me at that. I think I'll sign up, oh I guess I already have, that's right.
[25:53 --> 25:54]
Dania Bazzi:
We'll take you.
[25:56 -->26:34]
Bob Maxfield:
As we get near the end of our time together, Suzanne and I have been working with Marion Ginopolis, the recently retired Superintendent in Lake Orion, on a program aimed at new and newer superintendents. And what we've discovered is that first, there are a lot of them, but also that they're facing unprecedented challenges so what advice would you give to those folks? Besides what you've already talked about, and I think a lot of your emphasis on systemic alignment is critical, your emphasis on remembering why we're here is critical, but what else would you say to somebody just starting out in the role that you've been in for four years in Ferndale and beyond that in your previous district?
[26:35 --> 28:31]
Dania Bazzi:
I think one of the most important things that I've learned and I've really taken with me since the onset of my career is that every decision you make has to be rooted in what's best for kids. Adult problems are adult problems and shouldn't impact kids; it's really that simple. So if you have pressure from let's say, I love my Board of Education, but let's say you have pressure from the Board of Education, or pressure from the community, or pressure from your administrators, or from your teachers, ultimately you have to be able to explain the “why” of your decision making. And if you can root that in what’s best for kids, no one will be able to question your decision. If you make it based on politics, on what's easiest, that's when they'll find flaws.
I will say that as a superintendent another piece of advice is, it's important for all of us, even this is my eight years as superintendent and I still have a mentor. I still reach out to colleagues when I have a complex situation. Always seek to understand; it's really important. And then the last thing as superintendent I think it's very important that the community knows you. I think that the community knows that you care about their kids, and show up for a basketball game, or a school play, or a marching band competition. Seeing students outside of the classroom I think is vitally important for the superintendent role. My goal is to have as many students know who I am and know that they have access to me for whatever it is that they might need. So to me, it's be visible, be honest and be accessible.
[28:33 -->28:44]
Bob Maxfield:
All good advice. Well we've covered a lot of ground in the last half hour or so, what else, what are you hoping you had an opportunity to say today that we haven't probed with one of our questions?
[28:47 --30:08]
Dania Bazzi:
I think what I'll say is that I'm thankful to all of the people who have pursued education in supporting our students inside and outside of the classroom. I know it's been a really difficult couple of years. It's been essential. It's been explicitly hard. I think you know one other thing that you guys had mentioned what did the pandemic bring out and it's that school funding has to be addressed in Michigan right, equitable funding and I think that funding, we've seen what we've been able to do with our COVID relief funds. We've been able to get more literacy support at the elementary; more after school interventions to provide students you know, additional learning outside of the school day; to have a more robust summer school for our community and opportunities. I think you know we've always done the best with what we have. I think the funding of schools have come out and people have really put in the time and effort and study to show the why behind this. But you know as much as it's a tough year hang in there, you know our students and our community are counting on us to lead them through. Keep pushing along and when you need support, ask for it.
[30:13 --> 30:42]
Bob Maxfield:
That's never been more important. So again, we want to congratulate you on being selected as the Michigan Superintendent of the Year. You're now a semi-finalist for the national or you're in the running at least for the National Superintendent of the Year, which will be awarded this winter. So we wish you the best on that, but I think in the last half hour, we've got a clear picture as to why that recognition came your way, and so congratulations for that.
[30:43--> 30:45]
Dania Bazzi:
Thank you; it was a collective effort of a community.
[30:456 --> 31:04]
Bob Maxfield:
That's exactly right, it always is. So to our listeners, thank you for being part of this installment of the Podcast for Leaderful Schools. We are again almost live from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, and we want to again thank Dr. Dania Bazzi for being our guest. And that's a wrap.