LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings! The Georgia Association of Curriculum and Instructional Supervisors (GACIS) is a state organization known for its close network of professional educators, all focused on the goal of improving the knowledge and skills of leaders that will result in increased student achievement. For years, this organization has met several times each year to learn together from national speakers and from colleagues about the latest research, best practices, and effective methods of teaching and learning.

The theme for this year is Leadership for Effective Teaching . The call conference featured Debra Pickering of the Marzano Research Laboratory and Jeffrey Wilhelm, who is a professor and researcher of reading. Both of these wonderful speakers provided us with ideas linked to current research-based practice for supporting our students. Following tradition, the conference was held at the Continuing Education Center in Athens, Georgia on September 23-24. The strawberry pie was fabulous!

Then, in December, Joyce Tugel, Senior Science Program Director at the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, shared practical ways to link assessment, instruction, and learning. She has the reputation for sharing with her audience methods that are both research based and applicable. The winter conference held December 7-8 at the Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia was very informative and provided opportunities for sharing of ideas.

As president, I promise to continue the tradition of offering valuable professional learning and support for all members of this great organization. As I look back on those who were leaders before me, I am humbled by the precedent set for quality leadership. I am honored to be among those who came before me and understand the responsibility I have assumed for ensuring that our members are provided with the support and guidance that will make them successful. I also promise to work toward maintaining and increasing the membership that will come as a result of what we offer as an organization.

I encourage anyone who is a curriculum leader to become a member of our organization. We are a tight-knit group, intent on supporting each other and learning how we can ensure students achieve, in spite of challenges and obstacles. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about GACIS, suggestions for improvement, or ideas for future programs.

Dr. Brenda Schulz, GACIS President

Brenda's Bio

I began my career in 1976 as a very young and naive teacher, scared to death that I might fail. Over the years I have learned a lot about the teaching profession. I have learned that I must maintain my belief in life-long learning by accepting new challenges and opportunities for learning how I can be better at what I do. I have learned that I must be a team player because two heads are always better than one. I have learned that I must always focus on the fact that children and their learning is the real reason I am here, and that belief must remain at the center of every decision I make. I have learned that integrity and kindness are critical and must be core values.

Because of my love of learning, I have earned several degrees, all from the University of Georgia. I have a Masters in Reading, a Specialist in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. My dissertation on teachers’ perspectives of high-stakes testing led to a published chapter in a book titled Real World Supervision – Adapting Theory to Practice, edited by S. Zepeda.

I have taught all grades K-6 as well as several college courses. I have a passion for teaching reading and, therefore, my most rewarding responsibility was teaching first grade. I also enjoy working with students, and adults, who struggle with learning to read.

As a new administrator, 13 years ago, I joined and attended my first GACIS conference. I haven’t missed a conference since! As a member of GACIS, I have served as a district director, secretary, parliamentarian, and president-elect. I also served as treasurer for GAEL.

My leadership background includes my role as Assistant Director of Reading for the Department of Education, supporting the Reading First initiative. I also worked as a curriculum administrator Rockdale County Schools. I currently serve as Director of Academic Support for Forsyth County Schools.