For many students, school can be a struggle. For whatever reason, they do not fit into a mainstream education setting and are in need of alternatives that can meet their needs.

Educational options administrators are dedicated to ensuring the students most at risk of failing have the resources they need to succeed. They are tirelessly devoted to finding creative ways to address the unique needs of individual students.

One such administrator is Anne Kalisek, principal of alternative education at Palm Springs USD, who has been named ACSA’s 2009 Continuation/Educational Options Administrator of the Year.

“As principal of alternative and adult education, I can help guide students into programs that best suit their needs so they can graduate from school,” Kalisek said. “Most of the students I’ve worked with have not had successful school careers, and they are always excited when they know there are options for them and they can still make it.”

Kalisek currently oversees adult education and alternative programs at three sites, as well as independent study, home and hospital, and home schooling programs. As an advocate for all students, she was instrumental in designing programs for struggling English learners at the high school level.

Rather than immediately moving those students to alternative education, she encouraged the district to undergo an in-depth study of English learner programs.

As a result, programs for English learners at the high school level are undergoing a significant change. Kalisek began working closely with parents, to teach them how to access the educational system for their children. She enlisted the help of a Spanish-speaking employee, who conducted parent meetings and encouraged parents to get involved. Together, they helped the parents understand a traditional high school system.

“That benefited the students because their parents became their advocates, so that when they returned to high school, they could help them be successful,” Kalisek said. “The parents were grateful for the help.”

Kalisek’s work with English learners has continued into the adult arena as well. She plans to partner with the district’s director of English language learners to provide parent education within adult ESL classes. This, in turn, will help them be better prepared to help their students.

“We want to educate parents how to use our parent online program to monitor their students’ performance and attendance and provide computers to give them access, as well as work with them on how to be active participants in parent/teacher conferences and how to read test scores,” she said.

Kalisek said her job is not without its challenges. Working in adult education gives her the freedom to think creatively and come up with unique solutions. However, she often is the only advocate for students in need.

“It’s a positive and a negative to be a little out of the mainstream,” she said. “It’s nice, because I can be creative and seek solutions, and since I deal with small schools and small school sites, it’s easier to make changes. However, not being mainstream often makes me feel I have to fight for the students who are being left behind. I have to advocate for them when others won’t.”

However, despite the occasional challenges, Kalisek said she is grateful for the job she has, as no other job is as rewarding.

“There is no better feeling in the world than watching some of our young people who have struggled the most finally succeed,” she said. “During our continuation graduation, the parents cry, the students cry, and the staff cry. These are kids who never thought they’d succeed who finally succeed.”

Kalisek is an experienced educational leader who is dedicated to her profession. Prior to her current position, which she has held since 2003, she was principal at Ramon Academy from 1999-03, principal of Raymond Cree Middle School from 1994-99 and assistant principal of Raymond Cree from 1989-94. In addition, she has been adjunct faculty at California State University, San Bernardino since 2004.

Lorri McCune, superintendent of schools for Palm Springs USD, wrote in a nomination letter that Kalisek is an experienced and knowledgeable educator who does whatever it takes to ensure all students succeed.

“She has a long and distinguished career in public school instruction and administration, and is well respected in our profession,” McCune wrote. “She consistently displays a deep understanding of the teaching-learning process and works tirelessly with her staff and students to maximize their academic success. She has an excellent work ethic and often expands her duties with additional creative projects to meet the needs of students.”

Kalisek’s philosophy for leadership is to always remind teachers that working with young people means working with those who often make mistakes.

“It’s our job not to punish, but to help them grow into responsible adults by learning from their mistakes,” she said. “We don’t give up on anyone.”

Kalisek also believes in leading collaboratively. This means involving all stakeholders in the decision-making process, especially those who are most impacted: Students.

“They have a lot to teach us, if we’ll just listen,” she said. “I think both these philosophies lead to success because the first one helps everyone keep things in perspective, and the second one helps change become deeply rooted and implemented – systemic, so to speak. If all decisions were just made by me, not only might they not be good decisions, but they wouldn’t last.”

ACSA’s Administrators of the Year will be featured in EdCal through Nov. 2. They will be formally honored during ACSA’s 2009 Leadership Summit, Nov. 5-7 in Sacramento. Click here to register for the event.