Build Momentum for Education - K-12 Superintendent Series

S05E09 - Using Storytelling to Foster Trust and Community Support | Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross, Ypsilanti Community Schools


Listen Later

In this episode of Build Momentum, we are joined by Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross, Superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools in Michigan. She has decades of experience at public K-12 and charter schools of all sizes, including serving as Superintendent for Okemos Public Schools and for the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System. She is a sought-after professional speaker, educational consultant, and leadership development coach as well as a church pastor.

Some Questions We Ask:

  • Can you tell us more about your career and your current role? (01:23)
  • What is the most rewarding aspect of your career? (02:10)
  • What can you say about the RAND research, and how you are able to cope with stress? (03:03)
  • How do you think scrutiny of the superintendency has changed over the years? (04:32)
  • How do you unify people to build community within your school district? (05:32)
  • How much do you think your experiences align with those of superintendents in your state or across the country? (07:11)
  • How are you sharing stories to bring people together? (08:33)
  • What advice can you give to other superintendents with regards to cultivating engagement? (10:34)
  • What makes people forget that superintendents are real people, and how can we demonstrate that you are solving challenging issues to give K-12 students the best education possible? (12:35)
  • How can a community advocate for superintendents? (14:06)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

  • All about Dr. Zachery-Ross’ educational career (01:31)
  • Rewarding aspects throughout her career (02:19)
  • Her take on coping with stress (03:26)
  • Scrutiny of the superintendency through the years (04:54)
  • Unifying the community (05:47)
  • Her personal experiences as a superintendent compared with others’ (07:26)
  • Sharing stories to unify people (08:50)
  • Dr. Zachery-Ross’ advice to other school leaders (10:49)
  • Treating superintendents as individuals and not robots (12:55)
  • Advocating for superintendents (14:44)

Quotes:

“During my time as superintendent in two different districts, I've been able to take students to Ghana, Africa, on educational journeys, and watching them has been the best joy. It's been life-changing for those groups of students. It was phenomenal to see them return as transformed people and as transformed learners.”

“We all want to make a difference in our students’ lives. We all want to see academic growth. We all want to support our staff and families and make an impact on our community.”

“A smile goes a long way—and it's up to us to be personal. It's up to us to make that connection.”

Stay in touch with Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross:

Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross Website

Ypsilanti Community Schools Website

LinkedIn



Stay in touch with Sarah Williamson:
SWPR GROUP Website
LinkedIn

Stay in touch with Chad Bolser:
LinkedIn

About "The Secret to Transformational Leadership," which Sarah co-authored with Dr. Quintin Shepherd:
Transformational Leadership Secret website
Purchase the print or ebook

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Build Momentum for Education - K-12 Superintendent SeriesBy Sarah Williamson and Chad Bolser

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

10 ratings


More shows like Build Momentum for Education - K-12 Superintendent Series

View all
NPR News Now by NPR

NPR News Now

14,097 Listeners

HBR IdeaCast by Harvard Business Review

HBR IdeaCast

237 Listeners

This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,380 Listeners

Coaching for Leaders by Dave Stachowiak

Coaching for Leaders

1,480 Listeners

The School Leadership Show by Dr. Mike Doughty & Jenn David-Lang

The School Leadership Show

58 Listeners

Revisionist History by Pushkin Industries

Revisionist History

58,889 Listeners

Pod Save America by Crooked Media

Pod Save America

86,250 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,758 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,140 Listeners

Today, Explained by Vox

Today, Explained

9,995 Listeners

Consider This from NPR by NPR

Consider This from NPR

5,970 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

28,181 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

14,859 Listeners

Edtech Insiders by Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell

Edtech Insiders

21 Listeners

Sold a Story by APM Reports

Sold a Story

7,278 Listeners