E20-Spring Grove Podcast

Good evening, NewTech! 

I had the pleasure of hosting Gina Morken and Rachel Udstuen, Superintendent and former Superintendent of Spring Grove public school system. SG is not a NewTech High school, but they certainly could be based on their merit. Spring Grove has been clearly a top performer for years. They have created an innovative district that has shown to be durable and sustainable. Watching their work and their district perform consistently over a number of years certainly speaks to their skills and passion as educators. In Music, this would be classified as a Superior rating. 

This model is part of the genesis of how NewTech High even came about. Research suggests that schools that can apply effort and sustain a well-thought initiative can successfully create an impactful innovation. Smaller schools are probably easier to change, but also lack the experience, staff and capacity to make it happen. At one point, I was asked where innovation was happening, with the suspicion that public schools were just not capable of that change. My response was, "I beg to differ. I know countless examples where there were great things happening." Our end run is to be the innovative center of school change throughout the State, and perhaps onward. To do that, we need to really have a Best Practices network with the leadership and mentorship to support that. 

Small incremental change over long periods of time can have a decided impact on the sustainability beyond a change in personnel, be that a Math teacher or a Principal.

Administrators in schools, as well as their teachers, have so little time. It is extremely important that this time is directed on focused activity -- creating a powerful vector towards change and innovation. That is probably our primary goal to help spur meaningful, sustainable change and innovation! 

These ladies have been a great tandem in recent years, and are continuing that journey together today. They are definitely a success story that one would be well-off to duplicate and emulate. They have introduced so many beneficial things to Spring Grove and education in general, their work definitely needs to be highlighted! I could go on and on, but will let them tell their story through this podcast. Great job to your entire District, Gina and Rachel!

Tonight's Podcast




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