Being a site leader is a tough job. One has to know all the aspects that go into the operations of a school. Being a central office administrator is also not easy. One has to have highly in-depth knowledge in a particular area of education and how to transfer the state’s requirements to the school site level.
But think for a moment on what it takes to be a superintendent. One needs to have a handle on every aspect of education within a district, from the classroom all the way up to what comes down from the state and federal governments. The best superintendents are collaborative leaders, able to get the best out of site leaders and district staff, all with the focus of doing their very best for the students they serve. When one starts to list the best superintendents in California, certainly the name of Kathleen Wheeler is at the top.
Wheeler is ACSA’s 2008 Superintendent of the Year.
In the nomination paperwork for this award, Wheeler’s nominators repeatedly cited her positive attitude and “can do” spirit in leading Red Bluff Joint Union High School District, a position from which she just retired. Nominators noted she always used this upbeat attitude in her leadership to continually strive to improve the education offered in her district.
Wheeler said she came by this attitude quite naturally, with positive role models throughout her life in the form of parents, teachers, classified employees, peers and bosses.
“I believe that educational leaders must always be looking for ways to assist both students and staff to be all that they can be,” Wheeler said. “My job is to look for ways to make things better and provide as many opportunities for students and staff to be successful as I can.”
Among the numerous programs Wheeler has had success with were Laptops for All Students, which provided 2,000 students access to technology, and the implementation of an AVID program despite her district having a student population identified as 56 percent economically disadvantaged. In addition, Wheeler was successful in leading programs such as Small Learning Communities, Challenge Day, FROSH and SOPH Learning Communities and Success for All. Thanks to these programs and the work of dedicated educators, Red Bluff Jt. UHSD has seen continual growth in API scores.
Wheeler’s focus did not stop at students. She has been a big believer in professional development. She worked with district administrators to establish weekly Monday Minimum Days for staff development. She also helped implement ACSA’s High School Principals Seminars and Women in Administration Seminars and Dinners in Northern Cali-fornia.
One of her better-known activities was the Super Temp program, in which Wheeler would spend a day working all manner of classified positions within the district.
“That was one of those ‘beg, borrow and steal’ ideas,” she said. “I’m not sure where I heard about it, but I value all employees and felt this was a way to honor and learn from our classified employees.
“What I enjoyed most about all the jobs was seeing first-hand how hard all our employees work and how much they care about the students, staff and the district in general.”
As a Super Temp, Wheeler worked as a childcare worker, education assistant, mechanic, food service worker, maintenance worker, custodian, secretary and bus driver, during which she rode the route with the transportation director and then cleaned bus.
“I enjoyed them all and the people I worked with,” she said. “I definitely was exhausted after a day in our childcare program!”
Wheeler also has to her credit having served for the past two years as the president of the California Interscholastic Federation, overseeing statewide secondary sports activities.
“I have always had a passion for athletics and the opportunities for personal growth and life lessons that athletics provides for our students,” Wheeler said. “I was honored to be elected as the president of this very fine federation that governs all high school athletics for the state. It gave me an opportunity to work closely with dedicated professionals from throughout the state to provide opportunities for students.”
In addition to her work in establishing ongoing ACSA seminars in Northern California, Wheeler has also presented at the ACSA Superintendents Academy and Superintendents Symposium. It’s all a part of giving something back to an association that has given to her.
“While we receive a lot of valuable services from ACSA, I would have to say that the opportunities ACSA provides for peers to interact and share ideas is very valuable,” Wheeler said. “I have had the opportunity to meet people from throughout the state that I could call for assistance, provide assistance or share ideas with.”
After all this and a long list of accomplishments in education comes the honor of being named Superintendent of the Year.
“Unbelievable! I am honored to be recognized by my peers and to represent the north state,” Wheeler said.