LA VEGA ISD’S SHIELDS NAMED SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

WACO, Texas – The Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 has named Dr. Sharon M. Shields, La Vega ISD (LVISD) superintendent, as 2011 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year (SOTY), and as nominee for the Texas Association of School Boards Texas SOTY.

“We’re pleased to recognize such a great education leader in our region,” Executive Director Dr. Jerry Maze said. “Dr. Shields is an excellent administrator and has proven herself worthy of this honor through quality leadership and evidence of district improvement.”

As superintendent since 2006, Shields has demonstrated her ability to engage and collaborate with the community on a consistent basis. She directly facilitated the passage of the 2009 Bond Election for more than $24 million to construct a new intermediate school campus, science lab additions and renovations, and an expansion of the library, cafeteria and kitchen at La Vega High School. She also facilitated the passage of a tax ratification election with support of more than 82 percent of voters. Shields works closely with the school board by providing them monthly reports which communicate key campus and district information.

Shields is an avid community collaborator and works effectively with the City of Bellmead Chamber of Commerce, City of Bellmead and Bellmead Lions Club. La Vega is currently collaborating with the City of Bellmead to participate in a Comprehensive Assessment Plan; and she works closely with local leaders to keep them abreast of changes that could impact student achievement and student enrollment. In addition, Shields has participated in meetings with the City of Bellmead and the Bellmead Chamber of Commerce to discuss information between the groups and the school that could impact the groups and the district.

By involving the entire community in district work, including community board leadership in such groups as the Chamber of Commerce, the Bellmead Lions Club, the Madison Cooper Foundation, Leadership Waco and the Greater Waco Education Alliance, Shields is committed to help La Vega ISD reach its full potential.

“I am committed to the belief that in order to accomplish optimum educational success, there has to be a genuine collaboration between student, parent, community, city government, businesses and schools, Shields said. At the core of this collaboration must be the commitment from all partners to keep the well-being of ALL students at the fore-front. La Vega ISD is blessed to have a healthy support system and relationship with these partners including the Bellmead and Waco communities."

Shields is also dedicated to maintaining a high level of visibility in the community by attending school and community events, by actively engaging with students, parents, staff and the Bellmead and Greater Waco communities.

This development of school-community relationships helps the district to become an integral part of the community rather than just a piece of it.

In order to help the district maintain financial security, Shields works closely with the district’s business department and ESC Region 12’s school finance division to monitor and manage the district’s resources.

Academically, La Vega Elementary School has earned an Exemplary academic rating by the Texas Education Agency for five consecutive years. The school has been named a Texas Business Education Coalition (TBEC) Honor Roll school for the past four years and was one of 25 Texas schools to receive the National Blue Ribbon Award in 2010. In an effort to improve academic performance at the intermediate school, Shields added the instructional specialist for reading/English language arts and science/technology positions during the 2010-2011 school year.

“The Board of Trustees is extremely proud and honored that Dr. Shields has been named the Region 12 Superintendent of the Year. She is a tremendous asset to La Vega ISD and the district is very proud of the milestones and achievements that have been accomplished under her leadership,” said LVISD Board President Kevin P. Harris, for the 2010-2011 school year.

Shields has been associated with La Vega ISD in many roles in addition to superintendent during the past 20 years—serving as teacher, counselor, interim principal and executive director for instructional services. In addition to these roles, she has worked as an adjunct instructor for Baylor University, principal and instructional leader for Waco ISD and educational specialist for ESC Region 12.

Shields earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s of education from Baylor University, and her doctorate of philosophy in curriculum and instruction and educational administration from Texas A&M University. She also holds certifications in Mid-Management and Counseling.

She serves on the boards of the Bellmead and Waco Chambers, the Heart of Texas Community Health Center, Inc., Cooper Foundation, Pack of Hope, and Waco Education Alliance. She is also a member of the Waco Leadership Forum, Center Waco Visioning Steering Committee, Bellmead Lion’s Club, and served from 2004 to 2009 on the YMCA of Central Texas Board.

Each year, candidates are chosen for strong leadership skills, dedication to improving the quality of education in their school districts, commitment to public support and involvement in education, and the ability to build good employee relations among teachers and staff members. Candidates are nominated by their respective school board; however, respective school board members are not allowed to be on the panel of judges. A panel of judges consisting of regional school board members select the winner on the basis of his/her responses to a series of essay questions and on his/her personal interview with the panel. ESC Region 12 will hold a reception in the fall to honor Shields and Region 12 Teachers of the Year.

In August, the state committee will interview regional winners and select five state finalists. The SOTY will be announced October 1 at the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)/Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Convention in Houston.

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About ESC Region 12 - www.esc12.net/aboutescregion12

About SOTY - www.tasb.org