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Dr. Michelle Rodriguez
Download the official welcome letter here | En Español
Dear Stockton Unified Community,
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! As your new Superintendent of Schools for Stockton Unified School District, it is an honor and a privilege to join this incredible community of learners, staff, families, and community partners.
As I step into this role, I want to emphasize my commitment to deep listening, understanding, and collaboration. I firmly believe that the best decisions are made when we collectively engage in open dialogue, respect diverse perspectives, and co-construct action plans that meet the diverse needs of our students, staff, and families. Together, we will build an inclusive and empowering environment for every member of our educational community.
First and foremost, I recognize the importance of listening to our students. Their voices matter. I am dedicated to creating spaces where they feel heard, valued, and supported. Whether it is through my Superintendent’s Student Advisory, on-going listening sessions, or daily school site visits, I am committed to understanding our students’ experiences, passions, interests and talents. Their insights and aspirations will be instrumental in shaping the direction of our District, and I encourage them to actively participate in the decision-making processes that affect their education.
To our parents, guardians, and families, I encourage you to be active partners in your child's educational journey. Your engagement and participation is vital in creating a strong and nurturing school community. I am committed to providing opportunities for your collaboration, such as District-wide parent conferences, town hall meetings and connection at community events, where we will work together to enhance student success and well-being. I believe in supporting the whole child, whole family and whole community, for as a collective, we empower our students to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
To our dedicated teachers and staff members, thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students. Your expertise, passion, and dedication are the foundation of our district's success. As we move forward, I am committed to supporting you in your professional growth and ensuring that you have the resources and support needed to provide a high-quality education to every student. Your input, creativity, and collaboration will be essential in shaping our action plans and policies. To achieve educational excellence, we will focus on implementing evidence-based instructional practices and fostering a culture of high expectations for our incredible students.
Furthermore, I want to acknowledge the vital role that community partners play within our partner ecosystem. We recognize that creating an exceptional educational experience requires thoughtful dialogue, continuous collaboration and ongoing support from a wide range of stakeholders, including businesses, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community leaders. Our community partners bring unique resources, expertise, and perspectives that enrich the learning opportunities available to our students. Whether through support of our Expanded Learning programs, internships, or involvement in key initiatives, these collaborations provide our students with connection to their community and experiences that prepare them for future success.
In order to achieve our shared goals, we will work to strike a balance between decisive action and collaborative planning. While swift and decisive action is necessary in addressing immediate challenges, I also recognize and value thoughtful deliberation and collaboration in developing long-term solutions. I am committed to creating opportunities for input, feedback, and shared decision-making that involve all stakeholders. Together, we will create a path forward that aligns our collective District vision with community aspiration. We will highlight and celebrate the accomplishments and talents of our students, staff, families, and schools. We will showcase the remarkable achievements happening within our District, both academically and socio-emotionally. By promoting a positive narrative of Stockton Unified School District, we will inspire pride within our community and attract additional resources and partnerships to support our mission.
As we enter into the 2023-2024 school year, I look forward to meeting and engaging with many of you. Let us embrace the possibilities that lie before us. Let us work together with a spirit of empathy, respect, and collaboration to foster an educational environment that nurtures the potential of every student. And together, through deep listening, co-construction of action plans, decisive action, and collaborative planning, let us work hand in hand to ensure Stockton Unified School District not only achieves educational excellence but also brings pride to the entire Stockton community.
With great anticipation and excitement for the future,
Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Superintendent of Schools
Stockton Unified School DistrictClick the video below to view Dr. Michelle Rodriguez's story
Joy, Trust, and Belief are the Pillars of of Success for SUSD
Stockton Superintendent Visits YAP News
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Click the image below to view the Meet & Greet Presentation in English and Spanish
