May Shocker: Dr. Thornton is Out and Dr. Santelises is In as Baltimore Schools CEO - Entrepreneur Generations

Big news in the Baltimore City Public Schools today, as Dr. Gregory Thornton will be replaced by Dr. Sonja Santelises, former Chief Academic Officer. 

Dr. Thornton was the 6th CEO I worked under in my 15 years in the BCPSS, after Dr. Carmen Russo (2000-2004), Dr. Bonnie Copeland (2004-2006), Dr. Charlene Cooper (interim, 2006-2007), Dr. Andres Alonso (2007-2013), Tisha Edwards (interim, 2013-2014), and now Dr. Gregory Thornton (2014-2016). 

At the teacher level, I didn't feel much impact from Dr. Thornton's tenure, as I felt like I spent the two years waiting for what he was going to do. Of course I read and heard reports about people being unhappy with some aspects of his tenure, but I don't know much beyond that. I never met him; I never attended any sort of kickoff event to hear his vision for the district, never saw him visit my school. From the beginning, it felt like a holding pattern that never really ended.

My (technically former... he just finished his IB exam for my course today) student has much more specific and articulate thoughts about Dr. Thornton's tenure here.

I am pretty excited about his replacement, however. As I wrote about in February 2014, I think Dr. Sonja Santelises should have been considered initially to replace Dr. Alonso. Reflecting now, she probably should have been hired (even then, I wondered how she was passed up). In my interactions with her while she was the Chief Academic Officer of BCPSS, Dr. Santelises displayed intelligence and boldness, with high expectations of students and adults. I know I won't agree with all of her decisions, but I feel confident, even a little bit excited, about what she might bring to the table as the new CEO.This is a TED talk of hers that I enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z666GCX5dH4.

This is a bold, strong move by the school board. By hiring someone from Dr. Alonso's administration, it seems the school board may want to go back in that direction.  I think Dr. Santelises could be a transformative leader, and I'm cautiously optimistic about what she might bring to the students of BCPSS. 

from Epiphany in Baltimore http://ift.tt/1WHiuD4 May Shocker: Dr. Thornton is Out and Dr. Santelises is In as Baltimore Schools CEO - Entrepreneur Generations

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