Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/133552
In Chicago you worked to lengthen the school day, spearheaded aligns across the school district. Do we have a common curriculum new standards for literacy and math and worked at tying teacher that aligns to that and leads to a student's ability to graduate high evaluations to test scores. Will you pursue similar goals here? school and be college and career ready? Do we have assessments Every school district is different. It would be a mistake for me to that are aligned with that curriculum so teachers know if students come to Madison and apply the strategies I applied there. Madison are where they should be? Do teachers have materials and tools is unique. As I learn more about what is working and what is not, available to them that provide for intervention when a student is we will together craft an approach that fits the needs of this comstruggling? Making sure that the instructional program is strong munity. In Chicago, lengthening the school day was something I is absolutely essential. wholeheartedly believed in and supported. It was something that was desperately needed in Chicago, where the vast majority of It's been a tough time for teachers. Some 300 teachers are students receive free and reduced-cost lunch because of poverty. expected to leave the Madison district at the end of this year and Too many students were not getting the resources they needed to some 250 left last year. How does that factor into teacher quality be successful. One of the resources was simply quality time in the and your goals? classroom. I doubt if that's someIt absolutely does. This is precisely thing we need to factor into our imwhy we have to focus on teacher provement strategy for Madison. quality. I very much worry about When it comes to common core the problem of low teacher morale. standards and teacher evaluation, If our teachers are not supported in What was your favorite subject in school? those are being discussed as part of the workplace, then our students I had two favorite subjects. English because I loved reada national dialogue about improving and writing from a very young age. Before I decided are not going to be successful. Doing to become a teacher I thought I would become a writer. ing schools. So I can say with cerwhat's best for students and what's My other favorite was orchestra. I played the violin. tainty that we will continue that best for teachers are not incompatEspecially when I got into middle and high school, work that has already begun in ible. It means attracting people into orchestra practice was the place I felt most safe. Madison as it relates to the common the teaching profession. Teaching is core state standards for literacy and a wonderful profession and we need What's your favorite way to unwind? math that are being implemented to highlight what is wonderful about I'm an avid runner. It helps get the cobwebs out of my in 46 states across the country. It it. We also need to support teachbrain, process the events of the day. I look forward to will be incredibly important for us the trails in Madison. ers in the classroom and that means as a district to determine the right having ongoing professional develDo you have a favorite midday pick-me-up? approach for implementing those opment that is relevant to a teachMy guilty pleasure is either a nonfat mocha or gummy standards locally. er's day-to-day work. It means we bears. I'm not sure you should print the second part As far as teacher evaluation goes, will have to build in enough time because I'm very much into health. But a few gummy this is an effort that is happening during the school day that teachers bears serve as a great pick-me-up. across the country. We are going to can collaborate with one another have to determine the best approach and talk about their students to deWhat are you looking forward to most about Madison? here. I look forward to working I just love Madison so far. But honestly, I'm very much termine instructional strategies that looking forward to the work. I've been so inspired by with teachers, principals and other will be effective for those particular everyone I've talked to about the job and I'm really administrators in Madison to hold students. looking forward to diving in. I feel very strongly that people accountable, but also supthis is a place where we can be successful at serving all port them in doing their best work. Gov. Walker wants to expand a children well. We have to hold all people in the publically funded voucher program I'm also excited about moving my family here. I'm school district responsible for playfor kids to attend private schools. looking forward to the [Dane County] Farmers' Market ing their part in improving outWhat do you think about that? that I've heard so much about. My husband went to comes for students in a way that is culinary school and he's an excellent cook. I stand with the school board's supportive and meaningful for those position that introducing a voucher professionals. program in Madison would be a threat to the Madison School DisMany say achievement is based on parent income. How do you trict. We will be talking more about that in the upcoming months. address that as a school district? We are providing information on the district's website that we hope There is no doubt that the achievement gap correlates to things like will give the general public a broader understanding of the issues. level of poverty, level of parent education. But there is research that shows very clearly that there are factors within a school or a school Lastly, you are a wife and a mother as well as an administrator. district's control that have a direct effect on the achievement gap. How do you balance those roles? The research is clear that the single most important factor for imI've learned over the course of my career that balance in my life is proving student performance is teacher quality. We have to make not possible. I'm very fortunate that I have a husband, Reginald, sure that we are doing a good job with the initial hiring of teachers who is a stay-at-home dad. We made that decision together. He's but more importantly that we are supporting teachers in a way that a wonderful dad. When you sign up for this, you don't sign up for allows them to do their best work and keep them in the workforce. perfect balance. But I am passionate about the work, I know how A major emphasis will be on teacher quality. important it is, and I will be working to set up some clear paramA second factor is making sure that our instruction program eters so that I can ensure quality time with my family. Pop Quiz With Cheatham ••• June 2013 bravamagazine.com 37