Latin School of Chicago

Latin School of Chicago Magazine Spring 2011

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How would you describe your leadership style? I am a collaborator. I do my best to encourage colleagues, students and parents to share their history and perspectives openly and honestly. Day-to-day life in a school is much more similar to a religious institution than a corporation ��� the work can be intensely personal and decisions have a very real impact on people���s values, confidence and lives. I consult with those who are impacted, and I listen well. I am one of many leaders. When it gets right down to it, everyone who works in a school is a leader ��� whether it is the Chair of the Board, the fourth grade parent who is volunteering on behalf of the school, the SK child selected to lead the class to lunch, the senior who might be the first in her family to earn a high school diploma, the science department chair who helped design the new science facilities, or the upper school student who stage-managed the play. Every member of the Latin community needs to be confident and thoughtful about his or her area of expertise, and willing to share that expertise freely with others. I am a decision-maker. After I have gathered information, sought input and listened, I am very comfortable in my role as decision-maker. I have been a head of school long enough to know that not everyone will agree with every decision I will make. The most important thing is that the Latin community trusts that I will be thoughtful in my leadership, and respects the fact that that I will make no decision ��� whether large or small ��� lightly. I appreciate feedback. I can take it. If something I do just doesn���t feel right to you, whatever it is, please let me know. (And if things are going great, feel free to let me know that, too!) Remember that I am new to Latin and will need your help getting acclimated, both personally and professionally. presents itself. I currently serve on the boards of Leader Dogs for the Blind and the YES Foundation. I am a member of NAIS���s Call to Action advisory committee, and I chair the Harvard Graduate School of Education���s National Advisory Board. What do you and your family like to do for fun? We love all kinds of theater, from Broadway shows and community productions to school plays. We also like going to concerts, museums, movies and restaurants ��� anything where we can hang out together, relax and laugh a lot. What are you and your family looking forward to most in Chicago? We are really looking forward to exploring and enjoying the city. We have already discovered that it is a paradise of restaurants, shops, sports and cultural arts venues, so our girls (needless to say) are in heaven. Will we ever get sick of Garrett���s popcorn? We also have had a chance to meet so many kind and wonderful people in the Latin community, and we are looking forward to spending time with our new friends and colleagues. ���From my own experience, I also knew that education has the power to change lives and by doing that, change the world.��� Editor���s note: Randall���s first day at Latin will be July 1, 2011. Your educational philosophy talks about active learners. What are some of the things you do to remain an active learner? I think just working in a school environment keeps me an active learner. I also try to take advantage of any growth opportunity that The Dunn family. Latin School of Chicago 7

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