to learning so that all of them count as growth. We need
to be performance-based. Here in Alaska two perfor-
mance-based districts long ago shed the constraints of
age-based grade placement and have good results to
show for it.
While we have the best jobs in the world, we have many
challenges and many limits. But if we think about a teach-
er with their students, coupled with the tech tools at our
fingertips, we have the chance to more fully understand each
child, to help them take responsibility for their own learning,
to truly personalize for each student based on their individual
learning style, needs, and interests.
I want to close on a more sober note: Education can’t and
shouldn’t look the same everywhere, yet is a large-scale system
governed by lots of rules. As we think about how to change,
we need to recognize that you can’t innovate when you can’t
retain personnel, and you can’t change without the capacity
to sustain that change. On my drive home that night, my
thoughts again drifted to what could be and I smiled knowing
that it was starting to happen.
Dr. Lisa Skiles Parady became the Executive Director of the Alaska
Council of School Administrators in 2014. The Mission of ACSA is:
Leadership, Unity and Advocacy for Public Education.
Before moving to Alaska, she served as Chief of Staff in the Wyoming
Department of Education, as Director of the Wyoming Department of
Workforce Services, and as Senior Policy Analyst in the Governor’s office
responsible for all K-12 education, higher education, health and social
service issues. Dr. Parady holds a Juris Doctorate and a Doctorate in
Education Leadership and Administration.
Dr. Lisa Skiles Parady
Executive Director
Alaska Council of School Administrators
42 APR-JUN 2018