Superintendent Challenges Staff
to Strive for 100% Success Rate

August 18, 2009

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Doug Otto challenged his 7,000 colleagues today to strive for nothing less than a 100% success rate, to never rest on our laurels as a school district and to prepare all students for post-secondary readiness.

"I love the theme that we've adopted for this school year, 'Leading Edge Education,'" Dr. Otto told the faculty and staff members who sat in school and department groups wearing their team spirit shirts, a scene that created a rainbow sea of colors throughout Prestonwood Church at Plano ISD's Annual Employee Convocation.

Dr. Otto reminded employees that he is serving his 15th year as superintendent of Plano schools. "I love this profession," he said, before sharing his vision for the 2009-10 school year.

Dr. Doug Otto Plano ISD must position itself on the leading edge of education, "and we must never, ever rest on our laurels," he told employees. "We must maintain non-negotiable goals for student achievement and effective instruction.

Quoting statistics from Jim Collins' book about high reliability organizations, Dr. Otto emphasized keys to succeed, including adopting a system wide approach to instruction, investing in professional development; and nurturing strong instructional leadership.

Teachers of the Year Beth Renshaw, Mendenhall Elementary School, and Pam Clark, Vines High School, were featured in a video greeting to faculty and staff, and they presented on stage at convocation.

'High Reliability Organization'

Dr. Doug Otto "Post-secondary readiness equals job readiness and/or college readiness," Dr. Otto maintained. "Plano ISD must continue to confront achievement gaps, and every teacher must ask himself or herself with every lesson, 'Is this lesson preparing students for post-secondary readiness?'"

Dr. Otto and his wife Bobbi, PSHS office manager, were pictured at Convocation with their first grandchild Eli.

His message was simple: Raise your expectations and leave your comfort zone. "It's up to all of us to build student/teacher relationships, to help turn students' dreams into reality and to help students better understand how to prepare for college," he stressed. With an emphasis on acknowledging and addressing student deficits, Dr. Otto said, "High reliability organizations have a commitment to excellence."

Dr. Otto also humored employees with his annual "Top 10" list. In Letterman fashion, he counted down the ways to know if your superintendent is "losing it." Employees howled with laughter.

Dr. Otto concluded his speech by challenging each employee to carry out the district's vision statement, adopted by school trustees in the 2008-2012 strategic plan."This pretty much says it all," Dr. Otto remarked about Plano ISD's vision statement, which reads as follows: Participating in Plano ISD schools empowers students to be able to adapt to new learning opportunities throughout their lives, collaborate with and contribute to the global community and be creative and disciplined in their thinking.

Evan Hadfield, who spoke at convocation, "exemplifies the successful Plano ISD graduate," said Dr. Otto. Also pictured are School Board President Skip Jenkins; Karla Oliver, executive director for government and community relations; and Danny Modisette, deputy superintendent.

We're All in This Together!

Dr. Otto's speech highlighted a morning filled with inspirational performances by students and staff.

Drill team students from the three senior high schools pumped up the audience, wearing caps and gowns and dancing and singing to "We're All in This Together," a theme song from the hit show "High School Musical." They were joined on stage by students representing several ages and grade levels.

Accompaniment was provided by the talented Plano ISD Staff Concert Band and Plano ISD Staff Choir, directed by Jeff Turner and Kathy Kuddes, respectively. Earlier in the program, the groups performed the "Star Spangled Banner" and the song "Give Us Hope." The Plano West Senior High School JROTC presented colors prior to the singing of the National Anthem.

Performers

Senior high school drill team students and others joined the Plano ISD Staff Choir and Staff Concert Band in singing "We're All in This Together" from the hit "High School Musical."

Leading Edge Alumni

Approximately 70 Plano ISD alumni who are members of the school district's faculty and staff represented their 500 peers districtwide by joining Beth Webb, Plano ISD Education Foundation president, on stage to kick off the program. They were also featured in a pre-event alumni video presentation.

Beth Webb "We're Plano Proud!," was their unanimous shout out from the stage, before they joined the staff choir in the choir loft to enjoy the program. At the program conclusion, the alumni joined in a celebratory cap toss. Ms. Webb, also donning cap and gown, opened Convocation with greetings and a message from the Plano ISD Education Foundation. She explained the Foundation's new alumni initiative which will include an annual newsletter, website and an alumni challenge to raise funds for the Foundation's programs to support students and staff.

High Tech Door Prizes

Four lucky Plano ISD employees won door prizes secured by the district's academic and technology services team.

Beginning Teachers of the Year Ashley Jones, Jackson Elementary, and Thanh Duc Nguyen, Carpenter Middle School, helped Dr. Otto make the following presentations.

West Cluster - Jan Mucha, Mitchell Elementary School second grade teacher, Asus Eee PC Netbook
Central Cluster - Stacey Noble, Mathews Elementary School librarian, Asus Eee PC Netbook
East Cluster - Jeanne Dean, Murphy Middle School seventh grade math teacher, Asus Eee PC Netbook
Support Staff - Diane George, Career Education Department secretary, Samsung 23" LCD 1080p HDTV sponsored by Verizon