Dear Strath Haven High School Students,
Thank you for providing me with this opportunity to write to you as the new Superintendent of the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District (WSSD). I am honored and excited to serve in this role, and you, as students, will always be my highest priority. This short letter is just the start of our connection, and I look forward to getting to know you both in and out of the classroom in the weeks and months ahead.
I come to this amazing school district with more than 30 years of experience as an educator and leader. I am proud to have been a teacher and administrator and to have successfully led a district similar in size to WSSD as superintendent. For the past 11 years, I was a leader at the state education agency in Massachusetts, where I further expanded my knowledge and skills in public education. I am excited to have the opportunity to use what I have learned throughout my career to advance equity, excellence, and opportunity for all students of WSSD.
Of equal importance, I believe I also bring the personal attributes that are desired for this position. As noted in the December issue of the Panther Press, while a strong background as an educator and leader is essential, the new superintendent’s personal attributes seem to be of particular importance to Strath Haven students. Students describe their hope for a caring and kind person who is willing to be a decision maker and who is well-connected and engaged with the school and community. I am confident that I bring those specific personal attributes to this position, and I will use them to build strong, trusting, and resilient relationships with you and the entire WSSD community.
To purposefully include the voices of Strath Haven students in decision making, I will launch a Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council at the beginning of next school year, and I want to hear from you this spring on how we can make this council as impactful as possible. Hearing directly from students is vital to my decision-making as superintendent, as I know that through this type of engagement, we can enhance learning experiences for all students.
I am excited to meet you in the classroom, at school events, and learn more about what makes Strath Haven High School such an amazing place. I look forward to connecting with you soon.
Best regards,
Russell Johnston, PhD
