We sat down with Superintendent Rachel Anderson to get to know her before the school year begins!
What have you learned in your first month?
I’ve learned a tremendous amount in the last month, especially about school finance. I’m also making a concentrated effort to learn about what’s happening in our region and how I can best advocate for our district at the regional and state levels.
What are the top items you’re working on to prepare for the new school year?
Stepping into this role, hiring was at the top of the list to ensure we have a full team going into the start of the school year. I’ve also prioritized meeting with our administrators, department heads, and board members to determine how I can best support them in their respective roles. I’ve spent a lot of time getting to know my role, getting reacclimated to the district, and setting us up for a great school year.
What do you feel like Greenville does well?
The programming we’re able to offer our students and the dedication of our faculty and staff - both of which hold true to what I’ve always known about Greenville. I’m grateful for an incredibly stable faculty and support staff who are committed to putting our students first. In all of my conversations, everything has been about what’s best for our students, and that’s something Greenville does incredibly well.
Where are the opportunities for growth in the district?
We have a number of new administrators, including myself, stepping into the district. This is the perfect opportunity to form a team that will work collaboratively to foster an environment where everyone learns, teaches, and belongs. We have some challenges that lie ahead - from changing demographics to financial considerations. In the near future, we’ll have to determine how best to adjust our programming to support the changing needs of our students and ensure we remain fiscally responsible to ensure the long-term success of our district.
What is most exciting about being back in Greenville?
I got my start here in so many ways - as valedictorian of my class, to the beginning of my teaching career, and entrusting the district to educate my children. Greenville is near and dear to my heart, and I’m excited to give back to the community that has given so much to me. I’m also looking forward to being back on a small campus where I can walk around, pop into classrooms, venture over to a soccer game, and watch some incredible performances from our music department.
I’m also looking forward to being more involved in the Ag Program, especially since both of my kids will be in Jr. FFA…and I’ll be with them as a parent volunteer! I attended the FFA banquet on June 5th this year, which happened to be the day I accepted the offer for this role. I remember looking around, so proud of the students and all the hard work they put in, and getting teary-eyed knowing I’d get to be part of this in an entirely different way next year.
What’s your approach to communications?
This year, you can expect to hear from me regularly in a monthly newsletter, where I’ll spotlight the projects I’m working on and highlight some of the great things going on across the district. Most communication will still come from the building level, and the District office will continue to handle emergency communications. It’s also important to me that information is accessible to everyone, which we’ll ensure by using our Spartan Strong section in the Greenville Pioneer, posting on our website and social media, and sending emails.
What does student success mean to you?
It’s our students being prepared for whatever their next step is - and that will be different for every student. Success is being able to offer flexible options and opportunities for all of our students: rigorous college-prep classes for students preparing for the post-secondary route and classes that offer practical skills for students going straight into a career or technical school. For all of our students, success is having the communication and collaboration skills they need to work with people in their lives - skills that will serve them well no matter what path they choose.
What's one piece of advice from a mentor that has stuck with you?
Two pieces of advice come to mind. The first is that, no matter the decision, doing what is best for our students should be at the center of the solution, and we should never lose sight of that. The second piece of advice is simple: never run. To or from a situation, never run because panic leads to loss of control. As a leader, approach with calm and confidence to be the north star, give other people the assurance that everything will be alright
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love spending time with my family, cooking, and gardening. I’m also an avid reader! I’m currently reading the Gregor the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins, which I started at my previous district because one of the middle school classes was going to implement it into the curriculum - and now I’m hooked too!