While experiencing exponential growth, changing demographics and with limited resources, Robert Kessler has inspired the momentum that propelled the once rural San Ramon Valley Unified School District to its current status as a suburban district with the eighth highest Academic Performance Index scores in the state for unified districts.
Superintendent Kessler is the recipient of ACSA’s Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence, sponsored by School Innovations & Advocacy. He was formally honored Nov. 7 at the 2008 Leadership Summit.
“(Marcus Foster) was clearly ahead of his time,” Kessler said in his acceptance speech. “I have been working with staff trying to build those same partnerships and same relationships. We have been very successful and have seen results.”
Kessler’s culture of collaboration in the 26,000-student SRVUSD has focused efforts of staff and community on delivering the highest quality education for all students.
He restructured his cabinet as a professional learning community, and created a highly organized parent advocacy group that actively lobbies in Sacramento on behalf of children.
Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Joseph Ovick said Kessler is well known by county representatives to the state Assembly and Senate, as well as the federal congressional delegation.
“He is often sought out for advice and input on any proposed legislation that will enable us to better serve our children and youth,” Ovick said.
He was recruited to serve on the state superintendent’s Autism Task Force, where he helped research trends and create statewide recommendations.
Kessler is also willing to take risks to improve educational opportunities, Ovick said, citing the recent creation of a districtwide Special Education Local Plan Area.
Under Kessler’s leadership, the SELPA received total support from the community, the board of education and other districts. The SELPA allows for services to be offered to students in their own neighborhoods.
“Rob is one who is creative and willing to try new ideas and personally reaches out to children,” Ovick said.
Kessler is visible at all 33 schools in his district, visiting classrooms and participating in class discussions. He can be found working with students on their writing and reading, and listening to their concerns.
Among his more ambitious pursuits on behalf of students has been collaborating on a far-reaching coalition to promote student safety and development.
Kessler led key agencies, including his district, the Town of Danville, Contra Costa County, City of San Ramon and the PTA, to address issues among students that were impediments to learning. The effort resulted in the promotion of a model known as the “40 Developmental Assets.”
He also led the creation of a “Prevent and Protect” video and poster series for parents, staff and students.
For years, Kessler led a collaboration with the Diablo Black Men’s Group to promote the success of African American youth in the community. In addition, he has served on the boards of such organizations as the East Bay Community Foundation and the Endowment Fund for the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation.
Kessler is a longtime, active member of ACSA. His impact on ACSA’s Leadership Matters! efforts are respected through his facilitation of Executive Leadership Center sessions for experienced superintendents, presentations at academies and service on the Superintendency Council, to name a few.
ACSA Assistant Executive Director for Educational Services George Manthey called Kessler a “skilled manager of the change process.”
Manthey pointed out that during Kessler’s tenure chairing the work of the ELC, participation in the center’s sessions has grown to the highest numbers in more than 20 years.
He also praised Kessler’s local work with special education students.
“Rob realized that the needs of students in special education extended to their families,” Manthey said. “Under Rob’s leadership, the traditional individualized education plan meeting has been taken to a different level in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, as the entire family situation is addressed through conversation among district specialists, family members and quite often Rob himself.”
The Robert E. Kelly Award comes with $5,000 from School Innovations & Advocacy for Kessler to give as scholarship money to a student or students of his choice.