Interview with Aldine Independent School District, Houston, TX, Superintendent
Dr. Wanda Bamberg

A District’s Winning Strategy and Philosophy

Topics:   Leadership · Bilingual Education · Trends in Education · Urban Education · Improving Student Performance · Professional Development · ARCHIVE

In this episode, District Leaders Podcast Host Jason Marshall interviews Dr. Wanda Bamberg Superintendent of the Aldine Independent School District (ISD). With a broadly diverse urban population,  Dr. Bamberg’s insights on the philosophy and strategies that has made Aldine a finalist for the Broad Prize for Urban Education 3 of the last 5 years, including 2008 will be helpful for many school leaders.

Aldine ISD of Houston Texas is over 60% Hispanic, and over 30% African American, and becoming increasingly more diverse. The school district has been recognized for it’s effectiveness at meeting the needs of all students.

This interview includes discussions about how the following items have contributed to bringing Aldine schools to their current place: curriculum alignment, professional development, and internal communications.

In addition Jason and Dr Bamberg delve into the school district’s  philosophy on ELL instruction, bilingual education, and flexible grouping.

Aldine ISD ranks among the state’s high performing school districts according to data from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The district has earned seven Recognized ratings since 1996 and was one of five 2004 and 2005, and 2008 National Finalists for the Broad Prize for Urban Education. Aldine is also the second best large school district in Texas for educating African American students and is ranked third among large school districts in Texas in educating Latino students, according to recent studies conducted by Texas A&M University and the University of Texas-Pan American.

Do not miss this opportunity to benefit from the advances experienced in this school-

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Biographical Background
Serving as the school district’s executive officer, Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg implements and administers the adopted policies of the Board in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Texas Education Agency and state laws. She is also charged with the responsibility of devising means and ways of efficiently executing the educational policies adopted by the Board to accomplish the district’s mission. Dr. Bamberg is also responsible for the daily management and operations of the school district and the supervision of its employees.

Dr. Bamberg began her teaching career in the Tuscaloosa County School District in 1977 where she was assigned to teach English at Boteler Junior High School. In 1981, she transferred to Hillcrest High School where she continued to teach English. In 1982, Dr. Bamberg moved to the Houston area and joined Aldine ISD. She was assigned to teach English and reading at Hoffman Middle School. In 1987, she was named the program director of middle school language arts and in January, 1997, she was promoted to the position of Director of Curriculum and Instruction. In 1998, she was named Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction and in July 2001, she was named Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. In June of 2007 she assumed the duties of Superintendent of Schools.

Dr. Bamberg has 31 years of experience in the field of education and she has spent 27 of those years in Aldine ISD.

Related Web Links:    

• Aldine Independent School District, TX                                                          

District Leader’s Podcast is produced and copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2007. All rights reserved.

For more information email us at podcast@districtleaderspodcast.org or phone us at 1-866-435-5337 (toll free) and leave a voice message for our co-hosts.

Interview with Superintendent for Pasadena Independent School District, Texas, Mr. Kirk Lewis: Career Paths of the Superintendent, Improving Graduation Rates and Bilingual Education

KEY TOPICS Include: High Stakes Testing | Bilingual Education | Retention and Graduation | Leadership | ARCHIVE | Making the Tough Decisions | Improving Student Performance | Trends in Education | Urban Education

In this episode, Mr. Kirk Lewis, the Superintendent for Pasadena Independent School District is interviewed by Jason Marshall. Mr. Lewis also discusses Pasadena’s Bilingual/ELL program. Pasadena currently has over 11,000 students in Bilingual programs, and the numbers are growing.

Interesting features of the interview also include hearing about the non-traditional road to the Superintendent position which Mr. Lewis has traveled.In addition,listeners gain firsthand insight into the Pasadena Initiative called Expectation Graduation, which focuses resources and attention on the 9th grade. This program certainly addresses one of the most critical years for a high school student is entry into the ninth grade. The success of that year sets the tone for the entire high school experience and focuses on connecting instruction with students’ interests, learning styles, and aptitudes. These small learning community approaches continue further through a college bound culture which implements greater rigor and relevance, and increases AP enrollment.

Join us for an exciting interview with Mr. Kirk Lewis and Jason as they discuss  the person and impact of the Superintendency. This series always provides more opportunities to hear from your colleagues around the USA, and gain strength and insight from their experiences.

Episode 17 provides a new dimension of these personal, yet professional windows into the life and work of the superintendent.

Biographical Background
Kirk Lewis was named by the Board of Trustees as Superintendent of the Pasadena Independent School District on April 25, 2006. Lewis assumed his new duties in December following the retirement of longtime superintendent Rick Schneider. As 28-year resident of Pasadena, Lewis graduated in 1972 from Ropes High School, a small farming community near Lubbock. He attended Texas Tech University, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising/Public Relations.

He received his Master of Science degree in Education Futures from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 1983. Lewis is currently working on a doctorate in educational leadership from Lamar University in Beaumont. Lewis came to Pasadena ISD in 1986 as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent responsible for communications and policy development and has since worked closely with three different superintendents. He was promoted to Executive Director for Communications and Community Relations in 1995 and to his current position as Deputy Superintendent for Administration, Public Relations and Governmental Affairs in 2001. He is a deacon at South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena.

Related Web Links:

• District Website: http://www.pasadenaisd.org
• Educational Foundation Website: http://www.pasadenaisd.org/foundation

District Leader’s Podcast is produced and copyrighted by The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2007. All rights reserved.

For more information email us at podcast@districtleaderspodcast.org or phone us at 1-866-435-5337 (toll free) and leave a voice message for our co-hosts.