Sara Magaña Shubel
Position: Superintendent, East Grand Rapids Public School District, East Grand Rapids, Mich.
Education: B.A., M.A. (linguistics), M.A. (educational administration), and Ph.D., Michigan State University.
Career History and Highlights:Superintendent, East Grand Rapids Public School District (2006–present); assistant superintendent for general education, Ingham Intermediate School District (1991–2006); director of school development services (instructional, curriculum, and professional development); education consultant, Michigan Department of Education; elementary teacher; student teacher supervisor, graduate teaching assistant, and financial aid advisor at Michigan State University. Member, Michigan Association for School Administrators and Michigan School Improvement Facilitators Network; cochair, statewide school improvement initiative; cochair, High School Diploma Completion Initiative with community college; fellow, Educational Policy Fellowship Program.
ASCD and Affiliate Participation:ASCD member, 16 years; affiliate member, 12 years. Member, ASCD Board of Directors (2005–08), Finance Committee (2006–08), Nominations Committee (2003–05), Annual Conference Planning Committee (2002–05). Coordinator, Midwest Regional Affiliates Conference; participant, Affiliate Leadership Conference, LEAP Institute (2004–07); presenter at Annual Conference. Michigan ASCD president (2003–04); vice president (2002–03) for programs, professional development; board member since 1995; member of various committees, including program planning, membership, and professional development.
What Is Your Vision for ASCD?
My vision is to strengthen the foundation that prior ASCD leaders have established, which identifies our organization as an exemplary professional learning and educational association—one that supports innovation and is committed to continuous improvement. This will be accomplished through a collaborative culture that ensures all students and educators learn through the development of educational resources and the advocacy and influence of educational policies. ASCD will lead and work collaboratively with our diverse membership and affiliates to provide resources to school systems and educators facing the challenges of a globalizing economy, budget shortfalls, social change, accountability, and the demands of government policies.
We will preserve our purpose—a community of educators advocating sound policies and sharing best practices to achieve the success of each learner—as we move forward from success to significance.
ASCD will take bold, innovative steps to strengthen its core values and achieve its mission to ensure high-quality education for all children by developing resources, sharing best practices, and advocating for sound policies. ASCD must continuously find new strategies to meet the changing needs of our diverse members as they strive to meet the needs of educating the whole child.
Wayne Sweeney
Position: Executive director, Connecticut ASCD.
Education: B.A., University of Washington; M.Ed., Central Washington University; doctoral work, University of Washington and California Coast University.
Career History and Highlights:More than 35 years in public education; educational consultant, Tomorrow's Schools Today, LLC; technical advisor for school improvement; national presenter and facilitator, 4 years; executive coach for school leadership; superintendent (Conn.), assistant superintendent and curriculum director (Wash.), 14 years; principal K–12 (Wash.), 12 years; teacher K-12 (Wash.), 6 years.
ASCD and Affiliate Participation:ASCD member, more than 30 years; affiliate member since 1986. Member, ASCD Board of Directors (2006–09), Legislative Committee (2006–09); Audit Committee chair (2007–present). Contributed to the development of ASCD's Legislative Agenda. Member, ASCD High School Reform Committee (2006). Connecticut ASCD executive director (2004–present), providing leadership to the Connecticut ASCD board of directors in the affiliate's revitalization efforts; member, board of directors (2002–04). Issues Committee member and chair (1998–2001). Washington State ASCD president (1999–2000); member, board of directors (1992–99).
What Is Your Vision for ASCD?
As a long-time member of ASCD and current member of ASCD's Board of Directors, I have had the pleasure of watching our organization grow and become the preeminent professional education organization. I have shared the angst of colleagues as we have stretched our imaginations, skills, and efforts to ensure a clear vision for ASCD's future.
ASCD has a rich history of serving the needs of educators around the world. To be responsive to the needs of members and educators worldwide, we must draw on our rich past and continually evaluate our present. ASCD's sustained presence in the world—providing quality programs, products, and services—is critical to our growth and to our achievement of a worldwide focus on the whole child.
As president-elect, I will collaborate with colleagues and senior staff to increase our presence in North America and throughout the world. Together, we will work to ensure ASCD's future responds to the needs of 21st century educators. To this end, I will be a voice for members and educators as well as an advocate for children. My leadership will be focused on learning and teaching for the children of the world.