Jamestown Public Schools Board of Education Member John Panebiaco airs positive comments about the district’s Emerging Leaders Program. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

Jamestown Public Schools Emerging Leaders were recognized Tuesday by the Board of Education.

According to Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and School Improvement Tina Sandstrom said last year several officials brainstormed an idea where some staff members were invited to take a year-long journey to explore leadership within themselves and within their roles in the school district.

“We believe that we have strong leadership in our schools that comes in many forms, and so fostering those skills will only make our organization stronger and a more dynamic environment,” Sandstrom said. “Leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”

Lincoln Elementary Principal Katie Russo said that some of the main goals of the year-long program are to develop a network of new and emerging leaders that provides support, creates challenges, and facilitates a professional vision; enhance communication skills in order to be an effective leader; share opportunities for collaboration on authentic issues facing new and emerging leaders in education; and to use data to drive decision making.

Russo said nominations and selection of participants was held in August; a letter to participants also was sent in August; and an informational meeting for those who were selected was held in September. After the September meeting, participants met monthly for learning sessions on different topics.

Emerging Leaders that were recognized include Fletcher Elementary School teacher Emily Knipe, Washington Middle School fifth grade teacher Ashley Cruz, Jefferson Middle School Counselor Crystal Casel, Jefferson Middle School teacher Alex Moore, Jefferson Middle School teacher Heidi Smith, Lincoln Elementary School teacher Kaleisha Velazquez, Fletcher Elementary teacher Melissa Gormley, Fletcher Elementary teacher Rachel Benjamin, and Bush Elementary School teacher Katie Meadows.

Persell Middle School Principal Traci Thompson said the final meeting of this year’s cohort will be June 10, and the new nominating process will be started.

“I know I had a group of very enthusiastic emerging leaders that don’t want it to end, so we’re looking forward to what year two looks like for them, and then also getting input from this year’s group into modifications and any adjustments for next year’s emerging leaders group,” Thompson said.

Board Member John Panebianco said he saw some good consistency with collaboration and communication.

“I’m jealous,” Panebianco said. “I was a teacher and I was an administrator, and I’m jealous because I’m starting to see similarities in this district, and what we’re doing in looking at data, and what I mean by that is it always used to be top down.”

He referenced that when he was an administrator information was sent from the state to the region, and then administrators viewed it, and then they gave it to teachers who had to try and teach the information.

“You’re doing your own self-assessment on what it is that you’re doing, but it’s from the top to the bottom, and information is coming from the bottom up to the top, and it’s amazing,” Panebianco said.

In a related matter, JPS also was recognized for its Lights On Afterschool Program, and received a Champion for Change Award.

New York State School Boards Association gives the award and according to Christine Schnars, JPS board member, and current NYSSBA president, the awards committee receives nominations for schools across the state, and the committee makes a selection every quarter.

“I’m very proud of the fact that Jamestown is getting one this year, and I’m proud of the fact that, as a member of the state board, I get to come and help present it,” Schnars said.

Sandstrom noted that the Lights On Program is a high-quality program that was recognized for its creativity as an after school program.

“While it’s always unexpected when you get recognition, this is well deserved,” Sandstrom noted.

Sandstrom added that Heather Meyer, a teacher on special assignment (TOSA) has helped increase and strengthen the program.

“Lights On After School (program) is a powerful way to highlight the wonderful things happening at our afterschool program sites every day – all year round,” Meyer said. “By keeping the lights on, we keep our children safe, we inspire them to learn, and we give our families total peace of mind every day. Our dedicated staff ensures that our students have access to a rich variety of experiences deeply rooted in academics, enrichment, social emotional learning, and more.”