31 min

Challenges to Triumph with: Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil An Imperfect Leader: The Superintendents and Leadership Podcast

    • Education

Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil, the Superintendent of the Uniondale School District, is my guest. One simply had to read the following excerpt from the Long Island Herald to know why had to talk with Dr. Akil:
“Residents throughout Uniondale will tell you — this community, once grappling with educational challenges that seemed insurmountable, has undergone a remarkable transformation under the leadership of the Herald Beacon’s inaugural Person of the Year, Monique Darrisaw-Akil, the superintendent of the Uniondale School District.”
When she took over in Uniondale, the district faced many challenges:
·      Lagging graduation rates
·      Below-average proficiency scores
·      Outdated infrastructure.
 
Dr. Akil has been credited with orchestrating a massive cultural and educational shift, including adding additional student resources. When I asked her about it, she was made it very clear that (a) she was the beneficiary of a good plan and (b) she the people she gets to work with are exceptional. A good plan and good people are great predictors for success!
 
In the first part of the conversation, we talk about the successes being seen Uniondale and in the second part, we discuss the adoption of a tech product and how the roll out didn’t go as planned. Here was a tool that was going to revolutionize a system they were working on. They launched and it was not good. It's a GREAT episode. One of my favorites!
 
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An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr. 
Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.
Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.
Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS.
MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.
Go to overyondr.com to learn more.
 
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Imperfect Leaders! Are you facing challenges filling open Speech-Language Pathologist positions within your district? It's a silly question, I know, because I know you are!
Empat Speech understands the critical need for qualified professionals in your schools. The recognize that communication lies at the heart of academic success.
Don't let open positions hinder your students' progress. Partner with Empat Speech today and ensure every child in your district has access ot the speech therapy they deserve.
Empat Speech. Empowering students. Empowering Schools.

--------
Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.
Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.
-------

My book, An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is available at Amazon.com or peterstiepleman.com.
 

Dr. Monique Darrisaw-Akil, the Superintendent of the Uniondale School District, is my guest. One simply had to read the following excerpt from the Long Island Herald to know why had to talk with Dr. Akil:
“Residents throughout Uniondale will tell you — this community, once grappling with educational challenges that seemed insurmountable, has undergone a remarkable transformation under the leadership of the Herald Beacon’s inaugural Person of the Year, Monique Darrisaw-Akil, the superintendent of the Uniondale School District.”
When she took over in Uniondale, the district faced many challenges:
·      Lagging graduation rates
·      Below-average proficiency scores
·      Outdated infrastructure.
 
Dr. Akil has been credited with orchestrating a massive cultural and educational shift, including adding additional student resources. When I asked her about it, she was made it very clear that (a) she was the beneficiary of a good plan and (b) she the people she gets to work with are exceptional. A good plan and good people are great predictors for success!
 
In the first part of the conversation, we talk about the successes being seen Uniondale and in the second part, we discuss the adoption of a tech product and how the roll out didn’t go as planned. Here was a tool that was going to revolutionize a system they were working on. They launched and it was not good. It's a GREAT episode. One of my favorites!
 
------
An Imperfect Leader is sponsored by Yondr. 
Schools around the world are seeing the damaging effects of phones on student engagement, social development, and mental health.
Yondr has developed a unique product and program to allow schools to become phone-free, from arrival to dismissal.
Learn why 1 Million Students use Yondr every day.
MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS.
MAXIMIZE LEARNING POTENTIAL.
Go to overyondr.com to learn more.
 
------

------
Imperfect Leaders! Are you facing challenges filling open Speech-Language Pathologist positions within your district? It's a silly question, I know, because I know you are!
Empat Speech understands the critical need for qualified professionals in your schools. The recognize that communication lies at the heart of academic success.
Don't let open positions hinder your students' progress. Partner with Empat Speech today and ensure every child in your district has access ot the speech therapy they deserve.
Empat Speech. Empowering students. Empowering Schools.

--------
Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.
Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.
-------

My book, An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is available at Amazon.com or peterstiepleman.com.
 

31 min

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