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Transcript

S4 E19 - Passing the Mic with Dr. Bergstrom and Dr. Anderson · Inside the OSD

• 0:00
  SPEAKER 1: This is a bittersweet episode of Inside the OSD for me.
• 0:04
  As you know, I'm soon retiring and this will be my last episode.
• 0:08
  We've done over 80 episodes together over the past four years, and it has been one of the highlights of my time here.
• 0:16
  I'm excited to talk with Doctor Shannon Anderson about her plans moving forward,
• 0:20
  and to officially pass the mic on Inside the OSD.
• 0:27
  SPEAKER 2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids.
• 0:32
  Here is your host, lifelong educator, and our superintendent, Doctor Leslie Bergstrom.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER 1: Doctor Anderson, you've been in the OSD for some time now and are known to many.
• 0:46
  Could you please share your background with those who may not have had the chance to meet you yet?
• 0:52
  Well, thanks, Doctor
• 0:53
  SPEAKER 3: Bergstrom, and thanks for having me. Um, first off, I'm a career educator.
• 0:58
  I began my career in education as a high school English and art teacher in Verona,
• 1:03
  and actually taught there for 14 years. When I first came to Oregon, I was an associate principal at the high school.
• 1:09
  And in fact, I filled your shoes, Doctor Bergstrom, because it was a role that you were leaving at the time.
• 1:15
  Yes. And after serving at the high school, I went to the middle school for a few years and served as an AP there.
• 1:23
  I then spent nine years as the principal at Oregon Middle School, and most recently have served as the Director of Student services for the
• 1:32
  district. And that role has really focused on student well-being, mental health readiness for learning across the district,
• 1:39
  and collaborating a lot with our community partners to support our students.
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  I also serve as an adjunct professor at both UW Madison and Edgewood College, because it's really important to me to help grow future teachers
• 1:54
  and school leaders. We need really strong people to support our students into the future.
• 2:00
  And then personally. Lastly, my husband and I live in Oregon and we are--both of our children are proud Oregon high school graduates.
• 2:10
  SPEAKER 1: That was wonderful. And I agree with what you said about giving back to our profession.
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  I think that is a really important thing to do.
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  And the fact that your children were students here, that will be an amazing addition as you head into your next role.
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  So what led you to want to be the next superintendent?
• 2:31
  SPEAKER 3: Well, there are several, several really big reasons when I think about that question.
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  As I already shared, I've been in education a long time, and I've served in a variety of different roles,
• 2:42
  and I feel like each role has been a step toward becoming the next superintendent or becoming a superintendent.
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  And, and as you know, the superintendency focuses on building partnerships with families and staff,
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  community organizations, local government, the school board, all in service of our students.
• 3:04
  And so I'm excited to have the opportunity to lead across the district in collaboration with all kinds of people and others.
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  I'm also really committed to this community specifically, and I view serving as the next superintendent in Oregon is really a way to give
• 3:22
  back both to the district and to the community that I love, and a community and a school district that has given so much to both
• 3:32
  me and my family. Um, as I mentioned, speaking of family, both of my kids are OSD graduates.
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  I'm really grateful for the excellent education that they received here, and they were very prepared for what was next for them with their goals.
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  And so my hope is to make sure that all students in our district receive the education that they need to achieve their post-secondary
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  goals, whatever that might be. And then it's also about the people.
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  We have a dedicated staff who cares about our students.
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  We have a community that supports our schools.
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  We have a school board that is very student centered.
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  And of course, and most importantly, as you know, we have amazing students who are constantly doing really wonderful things.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER 4: We sure do.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER 1: Um, thank you for that. That is--was a really nice summary of all of the things that drew you to such a,
• 4:32
  um, I don't know, an all encompassing role.
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  And I really appreciate what you said. So many of our staff and families are going to be super curious about the transition.
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  So what were your--what will be your key areas of focus as you move into the role?
• 4:47
  SPEAKER 3: Mhm. So there's a lot of things that I've been thinking about the last few months,
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  but it's really grounded in a great foundation that we've established in our district.
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  So I think about our mission. I think about the five values that our community developed in 2015.
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  Our portrait of a graduate most recently.
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  Those are just examples that we will continue to build on, the great work that people in our community and our school system have
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  developed. So really strong alignment and continuing to advance those areas.
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  I want to talk a little bit about one specific value, which is strong family and community partnerships.
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  And so as the new superintendent, I'm really thinking about focusing on connecting with our community and continuing to build those relationships.
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  This spring, I was able to already do a few community events.
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  And so I've heard from families and community members, they're really interested in our schools,
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  especially people who don't currently have students in our school district.
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  They want to support our schools. They want to know what's going on.
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  And so how can we do a better job of letting people know the great work of our students and staff,
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  and how community is already supporting our work?
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  And so I'm really interested in connecting and listening -- a lot about listening,
• 6:02
  gathering feedback, sharing information.
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  Um, we do already have, as I mentioned, strong connections with our community and different organizations and
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  businesses. Just an example, if you're familiar with our school to career offerings at our high school,
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  um, our community knows that we have a youth apprenticeship program that you've been highlighting in a lot of your board meetings.
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  And so to see that in action, what are those opportunities continuing to build partnerships?
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  That was something I heard in the listening sessions I've done already in the community.
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  Um, or how can we continue to build off of those opportunities that will benefit both our students and our local businesses?
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  I'm also really interested in leveraging student voice, and I had the opportunity this spring to host a few listening sessions with some
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  of our middle school and high school students.
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  And I left all of those sessions really inspired by students insights and the ideas for what they have of what's working
• 7:03
  in OSD and what we can do better. They're very candid about their feedback.
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  And so I just I really appreciated that and look forward to doing that more.
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  So anyway, those are just a few examples.
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  But I think the main theme and the main takeaway is, is working together.
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  We have a long history of working together to serve our students.
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  And when I think about the 17 years that I've been in district, the 31 years I've been in education,
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  our world has changed. And we need to continue to find new ways to work together to find that common ground,
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  to move forward, to benefit our students through our community.
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  SPEAKER 1: It's exciting to listen to you talk about it.
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  And we have--you have all of the right things in your plans as you talk about what's important to you as you move forward.
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  Once again, it's exciting. It's been really quite a privilege to lead this district and to host Inside the OSD.
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  And I know that we are in excellent hands moving forward.
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  So to close out my final episode, I think it's only fitting that you take the host's chair,
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  Shannon, and I'm passing the mic to you.
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  SPEAKER 3: Thank you, Doctor Bergstrom. Um, it's, it's an honor to be in this role and to be the new host of the Inside the OSD podcast.
• 8:27
  It is fun. It's a fun time. Okay, so now it's my turn to ask you a few questions.
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  Um, so my first question. You've served the OSD for a long time and in many capacities.
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  What--what is special about the district?
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  SPEAKER 4: Mhm.
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  SPEAKER 1: Um, so many things. It's not one singular thing.
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  It's, it's many things that come together.
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  It's sort of, um, a vortex of special characteristics that make this a beautiful place to--to work and to live.
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  And it really is, of course, at the center of all of it is our students.
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  Um, any, any time I took a new job, if it took me further away from students, I had to search out opportunities to spend more time with them because
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  they are what grounds us all in the work we do, and they are so important to be connected to.
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  Uh. I will miss them and they are very, very special group of people.
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  And then, you know, it is the staff that I had the honor to work with and administrators who were just beyond talented.
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  I learned so much from my colleagues, but then also from all of the colleagues who are educators in the classroom.
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  The things that I learned about how to be a really excellent educator.
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  So much of it I learned from watching them.
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  So they were really a part of what makes this special.
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  And then the community itself. I mean, they have been absolutely unwavering in their support of the district and of our
• 10:08
  students and of our staff. And there aren't very many places where one can live and work and be able to say those things.
• 10:18
  So it's all of those pieces that has made this a very special place to, to serve kids and families.
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  SPEAKER 4: Mhm.
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  SPEAKER 3: So, um, you've, you've touched on the students, the staff, the community.
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  And during your time in the district in particular, um, leaning into the last few years,
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  um, you've led through a lot of change and we were just talking a little bit about how things have changed in education.
• 10:49
  But when you look back on your tenure as superintendent, what is one achievement or effort that that really stands out during your time?
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  SPEAKER 1: Well, I think the most important thing to note is that there's nothing that any individual in a school system achieves,
• 11:06
  that they are the singular person who achieves it.
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  True, true. It's all about the work we do with one another, right?
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  And, um, I'd say that there are many things that come under that category back from my time as an associate principal and a principal director
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  of learning and student achievement, and now the last six years as superintendent.
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  I think a lot of them have had to do with the things we've been able to accomplish related to,
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  um, high quality instruction. Because what we are here for, we are learning institution,
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  right? And it should be about how to create high quality instruction for all students.
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  But then also the continued elevation of, um, social emotional learning, because if our students aren't,
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  um, safe and emotionally regulated and in an environment in which they feel cared for and supported,
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  then the most high quality instruction available isn't going to hit the mark because they're not ready for learning.
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  They're not in a state for that. So it's all the different individual things that as a team,
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  we have all put together to ensure those things are happening.
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  That's what I think is most important and work like, um, our, uh, our values, our five values or putting together a portrait of a
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  graduate. Those things are important because those things are symbolic of what's happening in the classroom and the student experience.
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  And that's really what it's all about.
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  SPEAKER 3: Um, and as I was listening to you, um, you know, I think about again, our students,
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  our staff and our community coming together, that collaboration in service of our portrait of a graduate in service of our
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  five values. And most definitely thinking about our whole child.
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  And a lot of work with our mental health has definitely been something that you've been very supportive of.
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  So lots of great things. But we also know that every leader faces obstacles.
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  Were there any specific challenges during your time that felt daunting, maybe even at the time,
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  and how did navigating it change your perspective on leadership?
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  SPEAKER 4: Mhm.
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  SPEAKER 1: Um, I'd say probably the most daunting thing that any education leader faces right now in Wisconsin is the state of our school financing.
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  SPEAKER 4: Yeah.
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  SPEAKER 1: Yeah. And how so many of the factors that are decided in the state legislature impact what we're able to do for our students.
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  And so as far as obstacles, I would say state financing or lack thereof is one of the largest because it's putting a huge financial burden on
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  communities through referendums that doesn't need to be there if different decisions were made at the state level.
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  And thankfully, our community has been remarkably supportive when we've had to go to them for things like our 2022 operational referendum.
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  But we can't continue to count on that as a reliable way to fund schools.
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  And so I'd say the greatest obstacle has been decisions made in the state legislature related to school financing.
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  And after that, I would definitely say finding the right balance of technology in the lives of students,
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  because as an educator moving up over the last 35 years, I went from someone who didn't even know what the internet was to
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  the level of technology that we use today.
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  And I've seen our students move through that, um, multi generational transition that has really changed the whole world and
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  how we interact with one another. And we have gone from promoting technology to now wondering,
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  when is it our best tool and when is it a tool that really doesn't have any place in that particular part of a child's life?
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  So we have had quite an evolution, and I do consider to be too much technology to be an obstacle today to learning and finding the
• 15:17
  right balance, I think has been a challenge for me, but will be for leaders moving forward.
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  SPEAKER 3: So I'm glad you talked about moving forward.
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  What what are your deepest hopes for OSD into the future, into the years to come?
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  SPEAKER 1: Well, the Oregon School District has always been very focused on ensuring every child was known by name and strength,
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  and that they feel as though all of the adults in the building know who they are and care about them.
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  And as we continue to grow as a district, we want to be able to keep that feel where we never get too large in any one
• 16:00
  school that the principal doesn't know who the child is or is only vaguely aware of them.
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  Right? We want kids to feel deeply connected, um, to all of the adults in the school system who are working to ensure this is
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  the, the best place possible for them. And I think you can lose that as you grow larger.
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  SPEAKER 4: Sure.
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  SPEAKER 1: And as we grow larger as we will, because there are many people who want to be a part of the the special place that Oregon is.
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  Um, I want to be able to--or my deepest hope is that we are able to hold on to that sense of care and personalization as we continue to
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  grow. Um, and that all the things that you mentioned, Shannon, related to connections to our community as a school system,
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  we will only be the best we can be for our students if we are good partners to all of the institutions in our
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  area, to all the families and community members in our area.
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  That's what's best for kids.
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  SPEAKER 4: Mhm.
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  SPEAKER 3: Yeah, I completely agree with what you're saying.
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  So.
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  SPEAKER 1: Um, part of society and we are certainly a reflection of that.
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  One of the most important things is to simply find your find your joy.
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  SPEAKER 4: Mhm.
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  SPEAKER 1: Yeah. Stay connected to what brings you joy.
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  Because if you are able to do that, you will be able to sustain yourself for the important work that needs to be done on behalf of our students and our families
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  and our staff. So keep connected to the joy, Shannon.
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  SPEAKER 4: Yeah.
• 17:35
  SPEAKER 1: You will do a
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  SPEAKER 3: Good advice.
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  SPEAKER 4: wonderful job. Oh,
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  SPEAKER 3: Doctor Bergstrom, so, um, thank you for that.
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  Um, as I sit in this chair, I am filled with immense gratitude.
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  First to our community, so thank you for your trust in the partnership we've built over the years.
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  Being part of this district is a privilege, and I don't take it lightly.
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  But I also want to express my deepest appreciation for you, Doctor Bergstrom, you have led this district through some truly complex
• 18:07
  times like Covid, with grace, with a steady hand, with a focus on students.
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  And I know that that has always brought you joy.
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  I could always tell when you had just spent time in a classroom or with your high school group,
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  but you've led during this time with a focus and a commitment to every single student,
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  and you've modeled to all of us what it means to lead with integrity.
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  And you've left a very strong foundation that we will continue to build on moving forward.
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  And personally, I would just like to thank you for your mentorship.
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  It has been wonderful to spend the last few months learning alongside you and hoping to have a very smooth transition,
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  um, as we move into next school year. And I hope you leave realizing the legacy that you have left behind.
• 19:03
  We are all better in this district and this community because of your leadership and everything you have done for our kids.
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  And I wish you the district wishes you nothing but the very best and to your next chapter.
• 19:17
  SPEAKER 4: Oh, that's so kind.
• 19:19
  SPEAKER 1: Thank you. And I just want to say that I, too, am grateful.
• 19:23
  Um, first, I'm grateful for always working with a fabulous school board.
• 19:28
  Oh my goodness, they are such amazing people and leaders and so grateful that they selected you for this role,
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  because it has been an absolute joy to work with you the whole 17 years, but then also the past five months,
• 19:46
  uh. It is giving me so much comfort to know that you will be, um, the leader of the school district because you
• 19:56
  have a beautiful future ahead of you for this, for yourself and for this district,
• 20:00
  because you've got what it takes. So thank you, thank you.
• 20:04
  SPEAKER 3: That means a lot. Uh, so it has been a privilege to work alongside with you and also to share the time with you today.
• 20:12
  So thank you. We'll be back with more stories and updates when we launch season five later this summer.
• 20:20
  Until then, you can find Inside the OSD on your favorite podcast app.
• 20:26
  Be sure to subscribe so you can stay connected with everything happening in our district.
• 20:31
  Thanks for listening and being part of this great OSD community.