Leah Rice Watkins180 Hobbs Road

Cottage Grove, TN 38224731-822-3369731-343-9888

LeahRice Watkins@gmail.com

June 22, 2012

Superintendent Search CommitteeDuval County Schools1701 Prudential DriveJacksonville, FL 32207

Dear Superintendent Search Committee:

It is with great enthusiasm that I provide you a copy of my qualifications to be a candidate for yournext Superintendent. I am currently an elementary school principal and Doctoral student in westTennessee. I have had the privilege to work with outstanding administrators, educators, parents,and students over the past 12 years, experiencing times of joy, frustration, passion, and successwith educational stakeholders. As I anticipate my fifth year as a building level Principal, I amseeking a Superintendent position from which I may share my passion, focus on relationships,attention to research, and thirst for data from the district perspective. Though there are manyvacancies available, your district is the one I intend to pursue. The educational climate, focus,and level of education within the Jacksonville area is one that draws me toward the district.

While I anticipate this search committee to be in the process of looking for applicants withprevious Superintendent experience, I urge you to look for something different. I bring a vigor, apassion, a fresh and enthusiastic perspective to the Superintendent position. This perspective isone driven by dedication to the profession and the belief that ALL students should have access tothe highest quality of instruction. What I lack in experience with budgeting and large schooldistricts, I make up for with my ability to acquire new skills in a rapid manner, and my energy andenthusiasm for the field. I am a dedicated and tireless individual, driven to propel educators intonew levels of performance. I am a teacher, a parent, and a school administrator. If you arelooking for this crisp and honest view of the school district's strengths and needs as well assomeone who will recognize and address those strengths and needs, I am your candidate for thenext Superintendent of Duval County Schools.

My resume, educational transcripts, certification, and letters of reference are enclosed for yourreview.

Thank you for taking the time to review my information. I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Leah Rice WatkinsEnclosure

Duval County Public SchoolsApplication Information Form

Jacksonville, FloridaPosition: Superintendent

Title: 0 Dr. 0 Mr. 0 Ms.

Name: Leah Rice Watkins

Home Address: 180 Hobbs Rd

Cottage Grove

TN

Zip Code: 38224

..; Mrs.

Record of Professional Education (in reverse chronology)

Institution Graduation Date

Union University Anticipated May2014

July 2008Union University

Walden University 2006

University of TN at Martin 1998

o (other-please list) _

Telephone 731-822-3369

Office: (731) 642-3675 ext. 3202

Home: (731) 822-3369

Cell: (731) 343-9888

E-mail: Leahricewatkins@gmail.com

Major

Administration andSupervision

K-12 Leadership

Degree

Doctorate

EducationSpecialistMaster of ScienceCurriculum,

Instruction, andAssessmentHuman Learning 1-8

Bachelor of Science

Record of Professional Experience (in reverse chronology)

Title Dates District State Enrollment

Elementary 2009 to Prese Paris Special TN 576Principal nt

Middle School 2008 to 2009 Henry County TN 280Principal Schools

Elementary 2001 to 2008 Paris Special TNTeacher

Primary Teacher 2000 to 2001 Martin Primary TNSchool

The School Board has identified the following qualities for the superintendent of schools.

Please respond to each of the qualities stressing your experience, strengths, and abilities ineach area, limiting your responses to between 200 and 300 words for each item.

1. A leader who solicits, respects and values the input of stakeholders at all levels of theorganization and who has demonstrated leadership in utilizing that input to create andsustain a culture of shared decision-making.

Through my experience in education, I have had the opportunity to work with severalSuperintendents, and multiple Principals. Each has had a different leadership style. One of thesuperintendents I have worked with was never seen in the building. One casually and non-threateningly strolled through buildings and was well-liked by the teachers. One intimidatedteachers and administrators alike. And one was often seen in the building, but had thereputation of being very controlling. From each of these administrators, I have gained aworking knowledge of the Superintendent I will be. From my first experience, I learned that theSuperintendent is always on duty and always represents the district. I want that representationto always be for the betterment of a district. From my second superintendent, I learned how toinspire teachers and principals to be their best through compassion and openness. From thethird superintendent, I learned that there are often times when a decision is not popular, but itis right for students. And from my most recent Superintendent, I learned to listen to others, butto weigh the options to ensure the decision is in the best interest of students. Each of theseSuperintendents has helped to outline the leadership style I will incorporate as a schoolSuperintendent.

Each of these experiences have helped me to see the need for soliciting, respecting, andvaluing the input of stakeholders in the creation and sustaining of a culture of shared decisionmaking. A strength I have is patience. To elicit and consider feedback from all levels ofstakeholders requires an investment of time. The time is required to build a relationship withprincipals, teachers, staff, parents, and community members. Each of these stakeholders mustbe given time to establish trust with the Superintendent. Furthermore, I will take the time tomeet with various stakeholders to determine the current status and a prioritized list of needsfor the district. I know the value of listening, considering, and then collaboratively making adecision.My abilities include the ability to listen and consider different perspectives in decision making.Furthermore, as a building level administrator, I have worked with several stakeholder groups.I utilized three teams to collaboratively make decisions within our building. I worked with teamleaders, an expanded building leadership team, and my parent organization. Examples ofdecisions we made together included purchasing, textbook adoption, benchmarkingtechniques, curriculum pacing, dates, programs, special events, student behavior strategies,student recognition procedures, as well as other decisions made within the building. Throughthe input of others, I am able to see a greater perspective and gain the voice of thestakeholders for our school community. I have the ability to apply this to a school district.

2. A leader who supports and empowers principals, teachers and staff to improveorganizational and student performance outcomes.

I have had the experience of working for an administrator who empowered me. As a classroomteacher, I worked with a Principal that encouraged me to pursue alternate venues to achieveresults in my students. This principal always encouraged me to do my best, monitored and

Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, FL Closing date July 23,2012

inspired, yet did not limit or stifle my teaching. I have also worked with an administrator whomicromanaged all my decisions, making me feel stifled and limited in my ability to do what wasneeded. Each of these experiences has impacted my performance as an administrator.

My strengths include my ability to trust in those who have the most knowledge of the students.I have had many a conversation with parents in which I deferred to them on a decision due totheir knowledge of their child. Furthermore, I do not presume to tell a teacher what will workbest in his/her classrooms. While I know best practices in education, the teachers andprincipals know the individual students and work with them on a daily basis. I have the ability totrust in the capacity of those Principals and teachers. Furthermore, I have the strength to assistor remove those teachers incapable of maintaining this trust. In order to propel theorganization to its utmost potential, we must have the right people leading the buildings,leading the district, and leading in classrooms, I have the ability to empower and ensure theright people are in each of those places.

3. A proactive visionary, able to consider, plan and implement systemic change thatincrease the district's ability to recognize and respond to current and future challengesas they arise.

I currently work with a leadership team focused upon staying ahead in the field of education.We have been anticipating and working to prepare for Common Core State Standards forseveral years. This has been accomplished through communication with stakeholders, pacingand alignment, and monitoring of data. My strength lies in the ability to anticipate the impactchange will have on and organization and the scaffolding of preparatory needs in anticipationof the challenge or objective. Any organization of size must anticipate upcoming trends andchanges to ensure effective implementation. Furthermore, systematic change within the schooldistrict must be focused upon the educational needs of students. Therefore, careful weighingof research and initiatives must be conducted in a timely manner to determine the effect forstudents and staff as well as the stages of implementation. It is through a continuing cycle ofanticipation, cultivation, and selection that will continue to propel the district into the desiredlevels of success.

4. Someone with strong organizational and leadership skills, able to collaboratively alignand focus internal and external stakeholders' efforts to accelerate progress on achievingthe district's goals for student and organizational performance.

As a district leadership team, we have worked to increase test scores across the district. Wehave systematically addressed parents, teachers, and students to move toward a district goalof increasing student performance. It has taken each member of the leadership team tomotivate and inspire teachers and to educate parents on interpreting scores, the importance ofthe scores, and how to improve them. There has been much collaboration, great amounts ofcommunication, and a non-wavering focus on the goal we wanted to achieve. Through thisfocus and collaborative effort, our goals are being achieved.

A strength and ability I possess, includes my ability to inspire others and help them to share acommon goal. My experience as principal as assisted my ability to understand a reasonableamount of progress, therefore it has helped me discern and establish appropriate incrementsof growth toward a goal. I am capable of developing a timeline with measurable growth inprocess that allows opportunity to celebrate successes in the progression toward the goal. This

Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, FL Closing date July 23, 2012

is a key toward the acceleration of the district's progress toward its goals. I am capable ofpraising and encouraging this growth in attempt to recognize efforts and sustain stamina.Furthermore, I have the capacity to involve those external and internal stakeholders in amanner that promotes ownership and pride in the district focus.

5. A person of integrity who is trustworthy and who's relationships, with the board andacross the district, are predicated on honest and open communications.

In my years of experience, I have been fortunate to work with people of true character and passion foreducation. I have had the opportunity to surround myself with those of high integrity andtrustworthiness, and know the importance of these attributes.

As I work with others to make decisions, a strength I have is to make sure the decision is in the bestinterest of students. There is openness and honesty to my decision-making with transparency for myfirst and primary priority of student learning. Once that contingency has been met, I consider the needsof teachers and parents, but ultimately, students are the primary factor in my decisions. This isevidenced through budgetary decisions, staffing, scheduling, and communication. This clarity in myfocus, allows teachers and co-workers to trust me. I have the ability and desire to operate in this samemanner with the Duval County Board of Education. Our focus will be unified toward the needs ofstudents, and change will be thus focused. I have the ability and strength to stand for student needsand public education in all decisions without scheming or manipulation. Both the board andstakeholders alike will know I am approachable, open to suggestions and discussion, and focused uponstudents.

Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, FL Closing date July 23, 2012

Do you have a Superintendent Endorsement for the state represented bythe position listed on this Application Information Form?

(If you have questions regarding the requirements to be a superintendent in theState of Florida, contact the Florida Oepartment of Education)

Yes No X--Eligible toapply

I certify that the information provided herein is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

__ LW__ I am aware that the Florida Sunshine Act will require that all applicant(initials) information is public and can be released to the media upon request.

Applicant hereby waives his/her right to confidentiality with regard to his/her work record or criminalrecord and consents to and authorizes the release of information from current or former employersand/or law enforcement personnel upon inquiry under this application.

Signature of Applicant: ~ ~ _

Printed name of Applican_Leah Rice Watkins. _Date: __ 6/22/2012 _

This application must be COMPLETED and RETURNED by: MONDAY, JULY 23,2012

Duval County Public SchoolsMcPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C.

Executive Recruitment and Development7905 L St., Suite 310

Omaha, Nebraska 68127Phone: (402) 991-7031/(888) 375-4814

E-mail: apps@macnjake.comFax: (402) 991-7168

AAlEEO Employer

Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, FL Closing date July 23,2012

LEAH JO RICE WATKINS

OBJECTIVETo facilitate the growth of an educational organization into new heights of excellence through theuse of diagnostic information, resource implementation, and organizational culture andexpectation

EDUCATIONJuly 2008 - Present Union University Jackson, 'INDoctor of Education: Administration and Supervision (ABD)

January 2007 - July 2008 Union University Jackson, 'INEducational Specialist: Administration and Supervision

2004 - 2006 Walden University Minneapolis, MNMaster of Science: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

1995 - 1998 University of Tennessee Martin, TnBachelor of Science: Human Learning 1-8/ emphasis in Mathematics

1994 -1995 University of Tennessee Knoxville, 'IN

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCEJuly 2009-Present Paris Elementary School

Paris Special School District

Elementary School Principal (GRADES 3-5)

July 2008-June 2009 Lakewood Middle School

Henry County School System

Middle School Principal (GRADES 6-8)

July 2004 - May 2008 Paris Elementary School

Paris Special School District

Grade 4

July 2001- June 2004 W.G. Rhea Elementary School

Paris Special School District

Grade 1

July 2000 - May 2001. Martin Primary School

Weakley County School District

Grade I

* Mobile: 731-343-9888 *Home: 731-822-3369 * LeahRice Watkins@gmail.com

LEAH JO RICE WATKINS

March 2000 - May 2000 Martin Primary School

Weakley County School District

Grade IISpecial Education-Substitute Position

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCESMatch 2012 • Literacy Presenter at the Henry County Rotary Meeting

March 2012 • SACS Accreditation Visiting Team Member

January 20 12-Present • TIGER Teacher Evaluation Workgroup

August 201 l-Present • Mentor Principal

2009 - Present • PSSD Leadership Team

July 2009 - Present • TSIPP Steering Committee Co-Chair, Paris Elementary School

2007 - May 2008

2002-2007

• TSIPP Steering Committee Co-Chair, Paris Elementary School

• Consolidated System Improvement Implementation Planning

2002-2007 • Paris Special School District Technology Task Force

2005-2008 • Paris Special School District Needs Assessment Team

2002-June 2008 • Integrade Pro Grade level Representative

• 4th Grade Team A Leader2006-June 2008

2005-2007 • Paris Elementary Parental Involvement Teacher

OTHER EXPERIENCES: ASeD MEMBERSHIP (2009-2012), CPI CERTIFIED, TIGER TEACHEREVALUATION CERTIFIED, LIONSQUEST TRAINING, OLWEUS BULLYING CERTIFICATION,CURRICULUM COMPACTING IN-SERVICE TRAINING FACILITATOR, PARENT ACADEMYINSTRUCTOR FOR HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, THINKING MAPS, TUTORING TEACHER,STUDENT TEACHER SUPERVISING TEACHER, ASSISTING OTHER TEACHERS WITH THE USEOF FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS AND STANDARDIZED TEST RESULTS, KINDERGARTENBIBLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR, PRE-K SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER

* Mobile: 731-343-9888 *Home: 731-822-3369 * LeahRiceWatkins@gmail.com