Being thankful doesn’t always come easily when we’re mired in the intensity of our work and our lives and yet taking a moment to see - to really see - all of the good that exists in IUSD can reframe so many of the challenges we face. I am always humbled by the generosity of spirit that I see in our schools and in the departments that support them. Our staff is singularly committed to serving our students and ensuring they can learn in safe and welcoming spaces. The investment they make is palpable, and I feel a profound sense of gratitude for the work they do for our students. I also see the commitment that our families make to our schools, and I know we could not have achieved this level of success without their direct involvement, investment of resources, and longstanding commitment to partnering with IUSD. On behalf of the Board of Education and our District Leadership, I want to share our deep appreciation and gratitude for the students, staff, and families who form this extraordinary learning community.
Teaching, Learning, and Community
Every time I step onto a school campus, I am reminded of the power of this profession. I see students, of all ages, so involved in their learning and witnessing that level of engagement affirms, for me, how critically important our work is. The magic may happen in our classrooms, but ensuring that it does requires the collective efforts of our teachers, administrators, and classified staff. I want all of our IUSD employees to know that we are grateful for the role they play in our students' lives.
I also want our families to know that our commitment to our students includes nurturing and supporting their interests AND preparing them for a world that will require cognitive flexibility, courage, creativity, and resilience. The exceptional teaching and learning that I am observing is doing just that and incorporating appropriate rigor, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to personalize instruction, project-based learning, and collaborative problem-solving, which is designed both to stretch and support every student.
Whether I’m in classrooms seeing this remarkable instruction first-hand, or attending before and after school events, I love the opportunity to learn more about our students, staff and families. Understanding their experiences is critical to maintaining the strong relationships that contribute to the success of our district.
Listening, Understanding, and Engaging with our Stakeholders
One of the hallmarks of Â鶹ÊÓƵ our commitment to listening to and learning from our stakeholder groups. Over the past few months, I have met with many of our advisory groups, including our Teacher Advisory Forum (TAF), Classified Advisory Forum (CAF), Education Advisory which is comprised of parent and student representatives, our Student Advisory, the Irvine Unified Council PTA, and our Leadership Team which includes principals, department administrators, and leaders throughout our district.
These meetings offer important perspectives regarding what’s working well in our schools and where challenges exist, and they provide space for collaborative conversations about improving experiences for students and staff. Our Student Advisory Committee, now in its eighth year, brings together students from all five comprehensive high schools, Creekside High School and IUSD Virtual Academy. Understanding how our students view their schools and the work of the district helps inform our priorities and shape communications. During our most recent meeting focused on AI, students shared how they are using AI academically and personally, and how these tools are shaping their views about college, careers, and the future of work. Their intelligence, openness, and willingness to grapple with the benefits and challenges presented by AI are an important reminder that soliciting student voice is critical, if we are to understand and respond to their needs.
A Community Committed to Working Together for Students
Our capacity to serve our students is strengthened by our partnerships. We are grateful for our incredibly involved PTAs and Booster groups, and the Irvine Public Â鶹ÊÓƵ Foundation - all of which play a vital role in supporting our programs, offering enrichment opportunities, and investing resources that directly benefit our schools. We are also incredibly blessed to have strong collaboration with the City of Irvine and the Irvine Police Department, whose commitment to safety and community engagement helps support students and families both on and off campus. We never lose sight of the fact that these partnerships are critical to the safety and success of our students.
Thank You for Your Investment in IUSD
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, we see and are continually reminded of how much there is to be thankful for in IUSD, including your investment in our schools. With your support, we can ensure that they remain places of achievement, belonging, and limitless opportunity. I am deeply grateful to have grown up in this district, and I look forward to the work ahead and continuing its tradition of excellence. Also, whether your Thanksgiving tradition involves pumpkin or apple or eschewing the entire notion of pie in favor of something more interesting, we hope that you have a safe, restful and happy holiday. 😀