SUSD Superintendent Earns National Recognition
Dr. Manuel Isquierdo has been named as one ofn the 10 most “tech-savvy” superintedents in the country by eSchool News according to a recent release from the Sunnyside Unified School District.
The Tech-Savvy Superintedent Award program began in 2001 and honors the top dogs in K-12 school districts for displaying “exemplary vision in the use of technology to further the goals of educating today’s students and equip them with 21st century skills”, according to the eSN website.
The award, given annually by the publication, recognizes superintedents from across the nation who demonstrate the 10 qualities of their “Hallmarks of Excellence”:
2. Models the effective use of technology in the day-to-day execution of the superintendency.
3. Ensures that technology resources are equitably distributed among students and staff.
4. Insists that adequate professional development is a component of every technology initiative.
5. Demonstrates exceptional vision in leading the development and implementation of a district-wide technology plan.
6. Exhibits a thorough understanding of the role of technology in education and can articulate that understanding to all school district stakeholders.
7. Provides exceptional leadership in supporting the integration of technology into the curriculum.
8. Demonstrates exceptional vision in employing technology to streamline school district business operations.
9. Demonstrates curiosity and open-mindedness in considering emerging technologies and weighing non-traditional solutions to traditional problems.
10. Thinks creatively and strategically about the long-term challenges and opportunities of technology in the school district and in education at large. –Provided by eSchool News
Isquierdo has been recognized as one of the most "tech-savvy" superintendents in the nation. (Photo Courtesy of SUSD)
Dr. Isquierdo came to the district in 2007 and has since turned several of its school’s that were once labelled as “drop-out factories” into valuable members of the Tucson academic community.
Isquierdo was instrumental in implementing the districts Digital Advantage program – a part of his Blueprint for Student Achievement – that has rewarded many of SUSD’s students for their efforts in the classroom with free laptops.
The Digital Advantage Program is partly the brainchild of Dr. Isquierdo, rewarding young scholars for their outstanding achievements in and out of the classroom. (Animation Courtesy of SUSD)
Dr. Isquierdo’s work among schools with a primarily Hispanic population has been noted even before his arrival in Tucson. In Cicero, Ill., Isquierdo helped J. Sterling Morton East High School to be named as the “Most Improved Hispanic High School” while serving as principal and was asked to follow that effort by speaking with then-President Bill Clinton regarding the strategies involved with helping Hispanic students become more successful.
In addition to that, Dr. Isquierdo earned his doctorate degree through National-Louis University where his disseration looked into reform in urban Hispanic high schools.
Dr. Isquierdo speaking about some new program implementations before the 2008 school year. (Photo Courtesy of Sandra Otero)
Isquierdo’s success as superintendent at SUSD was chronicled in my previous blog. He will speak before the presentation of the Spring’s batch of lap top giveaways tomorrow night at Centennial Hall on The University of Arizona Campus. You can follow along a live blog there through www.borderbeat.net
It's Always 'Sunny' In Tucson 
Leave a comment