New Ankeny School District Leaders: Glenn Says if District Staff Feels Valued, Students Will Mirror Behavior

are back in session and there are several new (and familiar) faces in different roles throughout the district.

Ankeny Patch will introduce a few of these new district leaders to you so you can learn a bit more about the person behind the title. What subject did they excel in during their own school years? Who was their favorite teacher?

There are six new district administrators in all and we'll introduce one each day. Today, meet Lisa Glenn, a new face in the district who is overseeing the new position of director of special programs.

What was your favorite/least favorite subject as a student in school and why?

I don’t really know that I had a favorite subject or a least favorite subject. I didn’t particularly enjoy school as a student. Looking back on this, I think it is because there wasn’t a lot of differentiation happening at that time. Reading/English classes always seemed too easy and math/science classes seemed too hard. Teachers didn’t seem to initiate acceleration or remediation instructional tactics, just teaching to the average.

Who was your favorite teacher and what did you learn from that person?

My favorite teacher of all time was a high school teacher who taught home economics courses. I am not sure I even remember the content of what she taught, but I very much remember her taking a personal interest in me at a difficult point in my life. A couple of years ago I decided to e-mail her and thank her for a particular conversation she had with me which I still remember made me feel valued. I have thought about that many times over the years -- kids remember how we make them feel.

What's your favorite movie about school life? And what is the worst?

I honestly do not watch many movies about school life. Sometimes I think I just need a break from all of my thinking and just watch silly movies for some “down time.”

What's the top priority/goal you've set in your new job? 

Integrating the role of special programs, linking it to improved outcomes for all students in the common core.

What do you feel is the biggest need in the Ankeny school system? 

Our staff needs to feel good about what we are doing, treat each other with respect, and hold each other to high expectations. When we do this well, the students will mirror that behavior. Ankeny employs the most talented staff you will find anywhere. Together, we will maintain the highest quality education and improve outcomes for all students. When we work together, there isn’t anything that can defeat us!

Want to learn more about Glenn's professional and work background? .

Miss the days we featured some of the other new district admins? Catch up with , , and .