Season 3, Episode 21 | Dr. Leighangela Brady, Jill Vinson, and Kim Pinkerton Discuss Mission and Vision Development and Implementation

Welcome to Season 3, Episode 21 of "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged."  

Sponsored by a champion of schools, school leaders, teachers and employees - SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union - we have an excellent episode featuring discussions with three superintendents: Dr. Leighangela Brady, Jill Vinson, and Kim Pinkerton. They shared their visions for their districts, emphasizing the importance of a strong mission and vision statements. Dr. Brady highlighted her district's focus on exceptionally prepared learners and innovative compassion. Vinson discussed Cardiff School District's goal of inspiring a love of learning and the implementation of a lifelong learner profile. Pinkerton introduced Rancho Santa Fe School District's new vision of empowering leaders and nurturing community. They also addressed challenges like time constraints, student interests, and the evolving nature of education.Action Items

Superintendents Introduce Their Districts

• Jill Vinson shares her 24-year tenure at the Cardiff School District, highlighting its family-like community and her daily interactions with students, teachers, and staff.
• Kim Pinkerton discusses her 16-year tenure at the Rancho Santa Fe School District, emphasizing the dedication of the staff and the community's small, interconnected nature.
• Leighangela Brady talks about the National School District's 154-year history and the multi-generational families it serves, stressing the tight-knit community feel.

Journey into Education

• Kim Pinkerton recounts her unexpected path into education, starting with a degree in theater and chemistry, and her eventual transition from teaching to administration.
• Jill Vinson shares her initial career goal of becoming a pediatrician and her eventual shift to education, influenced by her work as a counselor and instructional aide.
• Leighangela Brady reflects on her long career in education, including her time as a structural aid in San Diego city schools and her current role as a superintendent.

Defining and Implementing Vision Statements

• Leighangela Brady explains the process of creating a vision statement for the National School District, emphasizing the importance of aligning the vision with the district's core values and mission.
• Jill Vinson discusses the strategic planning cycle and the branding exercise that led to the Cardiff School District's vision of inspiring a love of learning.
• Kim Pinkerton shares the collaborative effort to create a new vision and mission statement for the Rancho Santa Fe School District, focusing on community, curiosity, and leadership.

Challenges and Strategies in Education

• Jill Vinson identifies time constraints and the need for continuous learning and reflection as major challenges for educators.
• Kim Pinkerton highlights the importance of civil discourse and the need for a learning environment that reflects real-world learning opportunities.
• Leighangela Brady discusses the evolving nature of the vision statement and the need for ongoing engagement and adaptation to meet the changing needs of students.

Student-Centered Learning and Interests

• Jill Vinson emphasizes the importance of student-centered learning and understanding students' strengths and interests to create relevant learning experiences.
• Kim Pinkerton discusses the need for a learning environment refresh to better support real-world learning and the evolving needs of students.
• Leighangela Brady shares her experience with classroom redesign challenges and the transformation of learning spaces to be more flexible and student-focused.

Final Thoughts and Future Plans

• Jill Vinson expresses gratitude for the collaboration and learning opportunities with her colleagues.
• Kim Pinkerton highlights the value of mentorship and the willingness to borrow and share ideas among superintendents.
• Leighangela Brady invites everyone to the upcoming Supe Tank event and encourages continued reflection and collaboration among superintendents.

Thank you for unplugging and listening to Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged.  Be sure to subscribe to the show and share with your colleagues! 

The Presenting Sponsor for Season 3 of Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged is Schools First Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California serving school employees and their families since 1934.  Please learn more about Schools First Federal Credit Union by visiting https://www.schoolsfirstfcu.org/