Governance

School Boards in Action: 5 Questions with Jacquelyn Johansen
Jacquelyn Johansen, trustee, Menifee Union School District
What is your district doing in the 2022–23 school year to foster learning recovery and educational advancements?

The Menifee Union School District carries a deep urgency for learning recovery. We have added instructional minutes to the day, brought back summer school programs, begun scaling our Expanded Learning Opportunities Program and, most notably, continued in the implementation of our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) plan. Through substantial input from educators across the district, we were able to identify 18 high-leverage practices that are sure to have a positive impact on the academic, behavioral and social-emotional success of students. One of our district’s practices that truly energizes me is the ongoing observation and data collection. District staff consistently review data provided by rigorous assessments, whether formative or summative, and couple that with “Learning Walks,” which are critical opportunities for our staff to observe practices, not people. Additionally, we have a comprehensive school counseling program that works in tandem with the MTSS plan to support students’ development.

Please describe the current morale in your district. What is the board doing to improve or maintain it?

We have seen promising results from various activities, especially as it pertains to employee well-being and engagement. When we launched the 2022–23 school year, the governing board and superintendent provided a united message to all staff, declaring that we are moving from surviving to thriving! Staff was invited to step into thriving by revisiting their “why” — their purpose for working in education. This reminder of professional purpose and passion had such a positive impact on staff morale.

Secondly, a critical component of engagement is providing professional development that is timely and effective and that instills a sense of self-confidence. Lastly, we have various internal and external communications strategies that highlight the individuals that make up our organization. Each week, we highlight a new employee through “The MUSD MVP Newsletter” and feature staff regularly on our social media channels. Our culminating event, the annual Evening of Excellence, celebrates some of our finest, peer-nominated staff.

What are some ways the district is sharing positive news and/or support with families and the community?

Our site principals do an excellent job of staying in communication with families through newsletters and social media channels, sharing all of the wonderful happenings at their sites. Superintendent Jennifer Root hosts monthly gatherings called “Thriving In MUSD,” whereby she speaks with local leaders and in-house experts about critical topics impacting students to provide answers and resources to parents. She has tackled some challenging topics, such as school safety and mental health, and we have received positive feedback. In a rather unexpected way, these gatherings have also provided a stage for staff to see their impact on families, and it helps staff understand their role not just in the district, but in the community as well. As such, they are no longer just employees, but community leaders.

Additionally, our Family Engagement Team regularly connects families to local resources, hosts educational workshops and even visits student homes to learn how to best support their attendance. Finally, we made an investment in the formation of a Communications and Community Engagement Department, which is tasked with amplifying all of the celebrations taking place throughout MUSD as well as faithfully delivering public information. We have seen a notable increase in positive coverage from local, influential media sources.

What is one thing you’d most like to accomplish during your time as a trustee and why?
Academic excellence was at the core of why I ran to be a trustee. As a mom of five and a high school and college educator, I am very familiar with just how critical a strong academic foundation is for leading a fulfilled life and becoming a productive and collaborative citizen. During my time on the dais, I want to see accelerated learning to the point where all of our students are performing at or above grade level. It is a daunting challenge and I believe our MTSS plan is positioning us to accomplish this. However, academic excellence is about more than just good grades and high test scores. It’s about providing our students with an exceptional educational experience that includes best instruction in core subjects as well as opportunities for enrichment in areas like STEM, the arts and foreign languages. More importantly, I would like to see this academic excellence take place through the restoration of human connection and community. This year, as a pinnacle in the district’s work in social-emotional learning, we will debut our Student Success Profile, a set of six core dispositions that we hope to instill in our students: adaptability, responsibility, empathy, integrity, collaboration and perseverance.

What fictional character do you most relate to and why?

I can relate to Samwise Gamgee from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Even though Sam plays a critical role in destroying the ring, I think his most impressive ability is holding fierce optimism in the face of fiery opposition. Sam is a sidekick that demonstrates loyalty, bravery, selflessness and resourcefulness. Sam’s devotion to Frodo never fades, even when their journey becomes difficult, and he is always ready to offer words of encouragement and support. Sam even provides practical assistance, like cooking! That is the type of leader I aspire to be. With much positivity and a can-do attitude, I aim to play an encouraging and helpful role in the lives of those around me.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Read the full interview at: blog.csba.or/sbia-menifeesd.