Debra A. Hill
What Is Your Vision for ASCD?Globally, education is in transition mode. We face complex, troublesome issues sometimes filled with ambiguity. Our profession is expected to do more, for so many more, in a world experiencing growth and changes that are occurring at an exponential rate. My vision for ASCD is that we individually, collectively, and as an organization continue leading the charge by increasing our influence worldwide. We must galvanize our members by initiating new conversations and partnerships and be action-oriented as more stringent levels of accountability move us away from many of our best practices.
Our strategic plan has been crafted with the future of our children, our profession, and our organization in mind. We need to continue to focus on influencing, directing, and supporting policies and practices that emphasize high-quality learning, teaching, and leadership on a global scale with the whole child in mind.
My leadership as president of ASCD would involve a hands-on, collaborative, action-oriented approach through personal contact with our members, other professionals, new and continuing partners, and government leaders. We must diligently pursue our goals with passion and a dedicated belief that each child deserves the opportunity to be prepared for tomorrow's world through excellence in today's education.
Position: Associate professor, Argosy University; education consultant; superintendent (retired), West Northfield School District 31, Northbrook/Glenview, Ill.
Education: B.S. and M.A.T, Northwestern University; Ph.D., Loyola University of Chicago, Ill.
Career History and Highlights:Elementary classroom teacher; curriculum coordinator; director of curriculum; assistant superintendent, curriculum and instruction; superintendent, 7 years; adjunct professor, National Louis University, 24 years; independent education consultant and staff developer, conducting training for teachers, administrators, and parents, 20 years; grant writer for competitive and noncompetitive grants. Member of numerous boards, committees, and community organizations, including United Way of Evanston, Evanston Arts Council, Alpha Kappa Alpha, North Cook Intermediate Service Center, Golden Apple Foundation, Housing Options, Rotary, and Northbrook Arts Commission. Recipient of numerous community service awards. Member of professional organizations, including American Association of School Administrators, National Alliance of Black School Educators, National Staff Development Council, International Reading Association, and Phi Delta Kappa.
ASCD and Affiliate Participation:ASCD member, 28 years; affiliate member, 21 years. North Suburban Illinois ASCD newsletter editor and president; Illinois ASCD secretary, president, and governance chair; Affiliate Leadership Conference participant; affiliate representative to Board of Directors; Regional Conference, Curaçao Conference participant; Annual Conference participant and presenter; ASCD Nominations Committee member, vice chair, and chair; member, Nominations Review Panel; ASCD Legislative Committee; ASCD Board of Directors (2005–08).
Gail Elizabeth Pope
What Is Your Vision for ASCD? Children are messengers to a time we will not see. The tenets of the Whole Child Initiative identify what must be done to prepare these time travelers. I envision ASCD being recognized worldwide as the standard bearer for ensuring all children are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. This movement is an outgrowth of the foundation for ASCD's very existence: the focus on teaching and learning.
ASCD is structured to move this initiative forward, and action must begin from within. ASCD has a critical mass of engaged members. The organization must invest resources to create the collective capacity for affiliates, connected communities, and professional interest communities and student chapter members around the world to implement the Whole Child Initiative both at the grassroots level and at the governmental policymaker level. These members are the face and voice of ASCD, and these various constituent groups should be used as the platform for developing a communication and learning pipeline that engages others. We have learned what is needed for today's children.
We must identify how we teachothers and thenlead the effort from theory into practice. Together we can make the dream of meeting the needs of the whole child a reality.
Position: Superintendent, Manassas City Public Schools, Va.
Education: B.S., Radford University; M.Ed. and Ed.D., Texas A&M University
Career History and Highlights:Educator at all levels (elementary, middle, high school) in rural, urban, and suburban settings, 25 years, including high school assistant principal; middle school building principal; Virginia Department of Education director for a regional service center, 3 years; associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, Manassas Park, Va., 5 years; superintendent, Manassas City Schools, Va., 4 years.