Over the years, I have come to know Randy Ziegenfuss, Superintendent of Salisbury Township School District, Allentown, PA and I've always appreciated his candid insight on what is happening in education, particularly in the world of superintendents. In this interview, conducted at the AASA conference in New Orleans, Randy talks about the future of education and what the world is going to be like when today's kindergarteners are ready to graduate and move on to college and careers.
Randy talks about a narrowed vision trap that we all tend to fall into regarding the traditional use of assessment and grading. The vision pushes its way down the chain of command from the federal government to the states, to the districts, eventually taking residence in individual schools. Ziegenfuss believes in a broader, more comprehensive vision that he has titled, “Portrait of a graduate.” It’s a collective vision that concentrates on evaluation and preparation of the whole student to meet the future needs of the world.
As the landscape in education evolves and changes, it takes leadership that embraces the adaptation. Randy Ziegenfuss is a superintendent that embodies the vision and commitment necessary to put forward change. Whether it’s digital literacy, global competency or entrepreneurial practices, Randy prides himself on staying on top of changes that are beneficial to his students, faculty and fellow administrators.
I hope you enjoy the enlightening interview below.
Interview
About Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss
Dr. Randy Ziegenfuss currently serves as Superintendent in the Salisbury Township School District. Prior to his current position, Ziegenfuss, was a classroom teacher, Department Chair, Technology Integration Specialist, Director of Technology and Assistant Superintendent. Ziegenfuss is also a Clinical Adjunct Professor of Education at Moravian College, teaching courses in inquiry, assessment and technology in the undergraduate, graduate and principal certification programs.
He graduated from Moravian College with a B.Mus. degree, earned his M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University in technology leadership, and an Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in educational and organizational leadership. In 2014, the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) recognized Ziegenfuss, as the Outstanding District Administrator for the state of Pennsylvania. In 2015, Ziegenfuss, was recognized by the Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and Technology (PAECT) as the Outstanding Leader of the Year.
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Further Reading:
NEA Today - Are Letter Grades Failing Our Students?
The Globe and Mail - B.C. leads the push to eliminate letter grades from school report cards
Additional Reading:
Thought leaders mentoring the next generation of superintendents
Large districts using community-based accountability systems
Guidelines to help prepare for education conferences
About Rod Berger, PsyD.
Dr. Rod Berger is President and CEO of MindRocket Media Group. Berger is a global education media personality and strategic influencer featured in The Huffington Post, Scholastic, AmericanEdTV, edCircuit, EdTechReview India and Forbes
Audiences have enjoyed education interviews with the likes of Sir Ken Robinson, Arne Duncan, Randi Weingarten, Sal Khan along with leading edtech investors, award-winning educators, and state and federal education leaders. Berger’s latest project boasts a collaboration with AmericanEdTV and CBS’s Jack Ford.
Follow Dr. Rod Berger on Twitter