Superintendent Joshua Starr really wants to know what we think about Montgomery County Public Schools.
So he’s reaching out to get to know us through community meetings, televised call-in shows, Twitter and even book clubs that are expected to teach us about his educational philosophy and help us understand his approach to managing the school system.
"I want to hear what people value most about our system, as well as those areas that may need attention,” Starr said in a press release outlining his ambitious “entry plan.”
Starr, who took over as head of MCPS in July, has been meeting with MCPS staff and community leaders. His team is developing a “transition report” that will inform Starr of “the key issues that will need his attention” and help him “prioritize issues for his consideration.”
Jon A. Gerson, director of community outreach for the Montgomery County Education Association, says he’s been impressed with Starr’s efforts so far.
“He’s made it a priority to meet with as many people as possible to listen and learn,” said Gerson, who’s attended several meetings with Starr as a representative of the 12,000-member teachers union. “He has demonstrated an ability to ask probing questions as he seeks to understand the challenges facing MCPS.”
According to Starr’s “entry plan,” the superintendent will meet with community members during 10 “Listen and Learn” events to find out what we think about MCPS and what we envision for the future. These evening events will be held in county public high schools, including Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Thomas E. Wootton in Rockville and Albert Einstein in Kensington. Dates are to be announced later this month.
He’s also planning to host three book clubs during the year—sessions will be held in October, January and April. For the first session, he’s chosen Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck.
The book explores some intriguing ideas, such as how having brains and talent don’t always bring success and may even deter success. It suggests that developing a “growth” mindset can produce a love of learning because people believe that basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, according to the book’s website.
The book clubs will be held at Carver Educational Center in Rockville. We also can participate from home via live webinar.
In addition, Starr plans to participate in two live television call-in shows with studio audiences. People at home can call in, Tweet or email questions.
He also wants to hear from students and will host two Town Hall-style meetings. Students can submit their questions in advance using Twitter or email. School officials hope to hold the meetings at two high schools during lunch time and stream the meetings live on the Internet, according to the entry plan.
Let’s hope that students take advantage and tell Starr what they think about school. From what the teachers union’s Gerson says, they should find someone willing to listen.
Starr “has the ability to make others feel confident and included and invested and I think that’s a pretty tremendous skill set that he brings,” Gerson said.
