- Engaging Leadership
- Posts
- How to Innovate and be Schools of Choice in Public Education
How to Innovate and be Schools of Choice in Public Education
Public schools can be just as innovative and effective as any other option. But they need to tell their story better.
CheeTung (CT) Leong
October 10, 2024
Is it possible for public schools to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity?
And do so better than private schools, charters, and other alternatives?
Dr Marc Bertrando, superintendent of Garnet Valley School District, certainly thinks so.
In my conversation with him on the Engaging Leadership Show, he shared how he and his team have taken a very deliberate approach to using the resources at their disposal to provide their students with a personalized education that prepares them for life.
Here’s a snippet of our conversation:
CT: It's a great pleasure to have you with us today, Marc. Welcome to the show.
Marc: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.
CT: Marc, tell us a little bit more about Garnet Valley. What makes the district and the community special?
Marc: Yes. We are in one of the collar counties of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Delaware County. We're a school district of approximately 4,500 students, 400 teachers, and 250 support staff. We pride ourselves on our progressive and innovative approach to education, especially in an area, at least in Pennsylvania, that supports a great deal of high-tech industry. With our proximity about 29 miles, actually a little less to the city, we have a lot of folks that use the district not only as a very convenient way to commute to the airport and to the city, but also to give their children a quality education.
The Push for Innovation
Despite their central role in the community, complacency is not an option for Dr. Bertrando and his team. The complexity of the world students are preparing to enter is evolving at an ever-quickening pace, and it's crucial for the district to be innovative and progressive to ensure students are prepared for such a world.
CT: One of the things that was really interesting to me is your continuous drive to innovate, bring more value, and personalize the education journey for your kids. What drives that?
Marc: Personally, from a leadership perspective, I worry most about complacency. The complexity of the world that our students are preparing to enter continues to evolve at an ever quickening pace. We need to be innovative and progressive so that our students are prepared for a progressive world. Our students and families are now consumers of everything in their world, including education. More and more competition is placed on public schools to keep up, especially as families in affluent suburbs like ours have access to numerous educational alternatives, including private schools and cyber charter schools.
Embracing Competition
The competition from private schools and cyber charter schools has prompted Garnet Valley to innovate to retain and attract students. Dr. Bertrando welcomes this competition because it prevents complacency and keeps the district fresh and progressive.
One of the most effective strategies Garnet Valley employed was the creation of their own cyber school, which helped pull students back from cyber charter schools and provided a cost-effective alternative.
Innovative Projects at Garnet Valley
Garnet Valley eSchool
Garnet Valley realized the economic and educational benefits of hosting their own cyber school. They analyzed the costs and benefits and quickly pivoted to create eSchool at Garnet Valley. This initiative not only helped retain students but also attracted new ones. From its inception around 2016, eSchool provided a way for students to learn online with Garnet Valley teachers, following the Garnet Valley curriculum.
COVID-19 and Beyond
When COVID-19 hit, the district was well prepared. Unlike other districts that struggled to adapt, Garnet Valley's prior investment in online learning technology paid off. They were able to transition smoothly and continue providing high-quality education.
Marc: So really, my job as superintendent is more of a generalist and the chief communicator, ensuring the vision and organizational clarity so that the environment and culture promote innovation and change. We support calculated risks and allow people to be vulnerable, knowing there is support.
Success Stories
One standout story is of a student who transferred from a private school where his entrepreneurial spirit, marked by his sneaker reselling business, wasn't supported. At Garnet Valley, he thrived, managing his business while completing his education online. He excelled academically, securing a scholarship to James Madison University.
“He was able to be at home doing his schoolwork, but the second those sneakers dropped, he was able to program those bots and get them out there, buy up those sneakers. This kid is already a practicing entrepreneur and making money doing it. The skills he learned through teaching him, our teachers learned from him too. It was the greatest experience and, to me, the exemplar for personalization of education in the 2020s.”
Redefining School Schedules
COVID-19 led Garnet Valley to re-evaluate their high school schedules, particularly focusing on adolescent sleep studies. They discovered that a delayed start time benefited students significantly. The district now operates with a flexible schedule where the first period is taught asynchronously, allowing students to begin their day at 8:30 AM.
CT: You guys innovated on this before COVID-19, is that right?
Marc: Yes, we began our eSchool around 2016. By the time COVID hit, we had several years under our belt. COVID was brutal for everyone, but Garnet Valley was extremely well positioned as a result of our previous innovations.
Leadership and Organizational Culture
CT: Marc, you don't sound like a superintendent that's been in the same job for 13 years. You sound like you're just getting started. What made you take that job in the first place, and what keeps you going?
Marc: What used to drive me was engaging students as a teacher, but as I moved into central office positions, the adults became my students. My passion for them to grow and develop became just as inspiring for me. Establishing a positive culture that engages everyone is what drives me.
From Educator to Leader
Marc's transition from educator to leader was driven by a commitment to authentic leadership:
“One of my most inspiring things is just establishing a positive culture that engages everyone from our youngest learners to our custodians. There’s nothing more powerful than seeing that vision realized.”
Lessons Learned
Marc's early experiences in leadership were transformative. His commitment to authenticity and a bottom-up approach was evident when he restructured leadership meetings, moving from a hierarchical setup to a round-table discussion format. This move defined who he was as a leader and set the tone for the district's culture.
“Everywhere I went, I was the authentic me, and that’s not gonna change. And if it has to change, then I’m gonna need to find another job.”
Defined Autonomy
Defined autonomy is a cornerstone of Marc's leadership style. He empowers his leaders to take calculated risks while maintaining organizational clarity. This includes a focus on student achievement, creating a safe and caring environment, and effective management of systems.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
Marc emphasizes the importance of self-reflection for emerging leaders. Understanding who you are as a leader is crucial for success. Authentic leadership, being genuine in all interactions, and constantly learning from both positive and negative examples are keys to effective leadership.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Marc Bertrando's approach to leadership and innovation in education provides valuable lessons for aspiring leaders. His emphasis on community, innovation, and defined autonomy serves as a blueprint for fostering a progressive educational environment.
“If you can’t be a leader as your authentic self, you’re just not going to be successful.”
Recommended Resources:
The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team and The Motive by Patrick Lencioni
Switch and The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Transforming School Culture by Anthony Muhammad
Both/And Thinking by Wendy Smith and Mariann Lewis
The Innovator's Mindset by George Courous
Mindset by Carol Dweck
Check out this episode and over 290 others on Spotify or anywhere you get your podcasts.
Recently on the podcast:
Special Episode on School Financing: Navigating Bonds, Grants, and Cash Flow
In this special edition of the Engaging Leadership Show, the focus shifts to financing in the K-14 educational space. The show features insights from Rachel Chang-Kwei, Senior Vice President at Fieldman, Rolapp, and Associates, who delves into the complexities of securing funding for school districts. This is a very relevant topic for any district thinking about financing over the next year.
Inside Lakeside Union: A Model for Diversity and Engagement
The episode delves into significant themes such as the evolution of the Lakeside community, changes in student engagement with the community, and cultivating homey, inclusive environments for diverse student bodies. Dr. Taylor discusses the importance of empathy in leadership and leveraging teacher and community involvement. She shares insights into fostering a thriving educational environment, regardless of rapid changes or shifting demographics. The conversation also touches on leadership development, the significance of technology, and the collaborative culture within the Lakeside district.
From Classroom to Leadership: Crafting a Path for Rising Educators
Dr. Jim chats about the importance of collaborative leadership and creating a leader-full organization with Dr. Alena Zachary-Ross, CEO of AZR Leads and superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools. Discover how Dr. Ross emphasizes listening, working with unions, and empowering educators. She shares her journey in building the "Rising Leaders" program, growing teacher leaders, and enhancing student support amidst a competitive landscape. Key takeaways include fostering agency, collaboration, and internal leadership development—essential strategies for any district leader aiming to build a resilient, high-performing team.
Whenever you’re ready, here are three ways we can help you:
Recommend a Podcast Guest: Do you know a superstar superintendent? A lifelong learner leader? Get them the recognition they deserve and feature them on the podcast, and have them join a guest alumni of over 250+ other leaders.
Improving school culture with advanced analytics: If you would like to tap into 15 years of organizational psychology experience across multiple industries, and uncover some new ideas about growing your principals, supporting your certified and classified staff, and creating a culture of belonging within your district, here’s a whitepaper you can access (no need for email addresses).
Analytics for better reporting: If you’re already running staff and family surveys but are struggling with extracting value from the insights, or translating them into meaningful action that support your strategic objectives, I can recommend small tweaks that should help almost immediately without massive changes to your process. This would be a complimentary 30-min consultation session. Book some time here.
Reply