With summer upon us, this is my last opportunity to bid farewell to this incredible organization that has been my professional home for the past eight years. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your chief administrator and witness the remarkable growth and achievements we have accomplished together.
When I first joined this team, our vision was clear: to provide the highest quality services and support to the communities we serve. And I can confidently say that we have done that and so much more. Together, we have transformed our agency into a lighthouse of excellence and innovation among the nine AEAs in Iowa.
Here’s what we’ve accomplished together over the past eight years:
- Rebranded our agency to firmly establish us as one organization vs. three separate regions. The move to “Central Rivers Area Education Agency” has given us a fresh and modern identity, enhanced our visibility, and captured the essence of who we are—dynamic and forward-thinking.
- Created the role of Regional Administrator. Not only has this strategic move empowered our agency to better serve the diverse needs of our school districts, but we have also signaled that while Special Education is our signature service, we are integrated and serve the whole child.
- In our pursuit of efficiency and effectiveness, we consolidated physical locations, streamlining our operations and saving money. Satellite offices were closed and our Cedar Falls operations were consolidated into one building that showcases our commitment to professional learning for educators and pride in the work we do.
- On the heels of physical office closures and recognizing the evolving landscape of work, we embraced the concept of remote work site. We leveraged technology where it made sense, created more balance in our work lives, and found ways to provide more service to students and our LEA partners.
- Recognizing the relevance to our future, we are focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. We’ve “planted a flag” that signals internally and to those we serve that this work is here to stay. If we are to serve all children and educators, we owe it to them and ourselves to understand our biases and seek opportunities to unite.
- Perhaps one of our greatest achievements is the implementation of INspired Leadership well-being programming. We understand that the success of our organization depends on the well-being and happiness of our staff. By prioritizing their mental and emotional health, we have created an environment where everyone feels supported and empowered to make a difference. Whether you are embracing coaching, taking the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) to learn more about which energy level you are most frequently operating from, or making changes to improve your physical and mental health, I encourage you to take advantage of all the agency has to offer. It’s a gift to you that I hope you’ll open.
I am confident that our agency will continue to thrive. I wish Joel the best in his new role and I’m excited to watch from afar.
As I bid farewell, I am filled with gratitude for the support I have received from you. I am leaving with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that I have been a part of something truly remarkable. The impact we have had on the lives of students, the relationships we have built, and the shared experiences we have had are the true legacies of our time together.
So, let us celebrate the bonds we have forged, the milestones we have achieved, and the bright futures that lie ahead. Thank you for being a part of my life, for believing in me, and for making my time here unforgettable.
-Sam