Linda Mariotti
Position: Assistant superintendent, instructional services, Granite School District, Utah.
Education: B.A., University of Utah; M.Ed., College of Notre Dame, Calif.; certifications in special education.
Career History and Highlights: Assistant superintendent, instructional services, Granite School District (2001–present); director, curriculum services (2000–01); principal, Olympus Junior High School (1999–2000); assistant principal, Granite High School (1999–99); assistant principal, Bonneville Junior High School (1997–98); intern administrator, Hilda B. Jones Center (1996–97); English/language arts and foreign language specialist (1992–96); teacher, grades 7–12, English, gifted and talented, reading, and French.
ASCD and Affiliate Participation: ASCD member, 20 years; affiliate member, more than 15 years. Member, Board of Directors (2003–07); Leadership Council (2003–07); ASCD Finance Committee; Board liaison to Budget Committee (2005–07); Leadership Council Management Team (2005–07); Legislative Committee (2005–present); mentor, Emerging Leaders Program (2005–06); cochair, ASCD Position Action Team (2004–06); Board Nominations Committee (2004). Chair, Utah ASCD Teaching and Learning Coalition, Influence Grant Project (2004–06); president-elect, president, and past president, Utah ASCD (2000–03); Utah ASCD executive board (multiple positions, 1994–present); chair, Utah ASCD Fall Conference (1998).
What Is Your Vision for ASCD? ASCD is the premier professional learning, educational research organization in the world. Building on that well-established success, the Association will continue to increase responsiveness to membership and affiliates by strengthening those relationships, cultivating natural and more diverse collaborations, and through a service orientation that is active, engaged, and purposeful. I see ASCD expanding research efforts while broadening and redesigning services.
ASCD will extend influence efforts. The Association's foundation of quality and integrity will propel ASCD forward as a bold, trusted, and unifying voice concerning policy and standards of practice. Recognized as a powerful advocate for the whole child, ASCD will command attention as it articulates how best to achieve success for every learner and to effect a difference in young people's opportunities to receive a quality education.
My vision for ASCD is one of potential and rich possibilities. With a successful, healthy child at the heart of every effort, ASCD will empower membership through participation in mission-driven work. Proactive and committed, ASCD will move from success to significance through special outreach and doing what it does best—providing examples of, support to, and advocacy for best practices in learning, teaching, and leadership. This organization will exert powerful influence on all responsible for the education of children worldwide in the 21st century.
Sandra Stoddard
Position: Senior manager, innovation and improvement, Collaborative Initiatives and Research Branch, Children's Services Ministry, Province of Alberta (three-year secondment from Edmonton Public Schools).
Education: B.Ed., M.Ed., Ph.D., University of Alberta.
Career History and Highlights: Senior manager, innovation and improvement, Alberta Provincial Government; central office administrator in student achievement, Edmonton Public Schools; project manager for two research projects: Engaging All Learners Through Differentiated Instruction and Interagency Collaboration; principal; assistant principal; consultant in staff performance and programming for student differences; elementary regular and special education teacher; consultant, facilitator, and workshop presenter for school districts and organizations; leadership and volunteer roles with several nonprofit organizations; recipient, Nadene M. Thomas Graduate Research Bursary; author, Predicting First-Year Teaching Proficiency (dissertation, fall 2006).
ASCD and Affiliate Participation: ASCD member, 10 years; affiliate member, 7 years. Member, Board of Directors and Leadership Council Management Team; chair, 2005 Leadership Council Panel; member, Board of Directors Nominations Committee, Nominations-Elections Panel, Leadership Council Futures Group, and Issues Committee; member of former Board of Directors; Leadership Council member-at-large; Leadership for Effective Advocacy and Practice (LEAP) Institute participant; Affiliate Leadership Conference participant; presenter at ASCD Annual Conference. Alberta ASCD president and treasurer; member, Alberta ASCD conference committee; Edmonton regional president.
What Is Your Vision for ASCD? I am honored to be a member of an association with a strategic plan that strives to make a profound difference in the lives of children worldwide. This is a powerful challenge, requiring a leader who is willing to work collaboratively with its membership to build a focused, cohesive, inclusive community where the greater good is not a line in a speech, but a passion shared.
ASCD faces key challenges as we continue to evolve to a level of significance. We know that education unlocks the door to every child's future. However, the world of education is rapidly changing, and while a focus on student achievement is necessary, it is not sufficient to ensure success in a global community. Ensuring educators, policymakers, and the entire community are working together to address the whole child is critical.
Broadening our definition of student success implies change. Now, more than ever before, technological tools exist that enable us to engage our worldwide membership, tap into our collective intelligence, and unleash innovative ideas. We need to be intentional about crossing national boundaries, to learn about and share best practices. It is through these collaborative efforts that we will develop policy and practice that will move us from being a successful organization to one marked by significance.