Becky J. Berg is from a family of educators. "My dad was a school board president; my mom was a career educator; and my sister, my grandmother, and my great-grandfather were educators," she says. Despite the genetic pull, Berg wasn't completely convinced she would follow in the family's footsteps until her experience as a summer camp counselor while she was in college. It was then that she realized how much she loved working with kids.
Today, Berg is the superintendent of the Deer Park School District in Deer Park, Wash. During her career, she has served at the middle and elementary levels as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, as well as an adjunct instructor at Eastern Washington University and Washington State University. Berg earned a bachelor's degree at Eastern Washington University, a master's degree in education from Western Washington University, and a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Whole Child, Whole Families
Berg, who feels a strong commitment to social justice issues, says it is her mission to help every student to reach his or her potential. Sometimes kids face incredible obstacles. "I think one of the biggest obstacles I have seen kids face is poverty. And exclusion," says Berg.
Deer Park School District consists of four traditional schools, and 60 percent of the families qualify for free or reduced lunch. Berg feels very proud of the district's commitment to providing comprehensive supports for a whole child education. One way they have succeeded in doing so is through the district's vibrant parent partnership program. In addition, Berg organized a first-ever communitywide, whole child–whole family back-to-school event that drew nearly 1,000 participants and included faith-based, district, and social service agencies, as well as additional community-based organizations.
In addition, Berg has organized district efforts around major priority areas, with a driving focus on improving student learning. She is leading implementation of professional learning communities and working with educators across the district to prepare for the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, as well as a new evaluation system and instructional model.
