My First 100 Days
Effective executive leadership transition is a critical step to success. This plan for my first 100 days as your new superintendent highlights various steps I am taking – such as meet and greets, events, activities and one-on-one conversations – which will help guide my transition into the role of Superintendent of the Issaquah School District. It is my intent to listen, learn and engage as much as possible.
Throughout my first 100 days, this plan will focus on creating relationships and learning about all facets of the ISD programs, operations and community, after which I will analyze my learnings and work to comprehensively understand information from stakeholders within and outside the organization. All of these action items, set to take place over the course of the next few months, will ultimately enable me to gather information about the school community and its organization; establish a strong community presence; assess the district’s strengths, identify critical issues, address areas of immediate concern; build upon staff strengths; and create a network of contacts and resources that will assist in both maintaining excellence in the ISD, and also improving the school district in areas of needed growth.
I am honored to be part of this community,
Heather Tow-Yick
Superintendent
First 100 Days Goals
- Build trust with all of our key staff and community members.
- Create a smooth and successful transition into the role of the ISD Superintendent.
- Gain a thorough and deep understanding of the ISD community by learning its history, community norms, traditions and expectations.
- Assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges affecting the ISD to ensure alignment of our resources to meet the needs of all in our community.
Reflections on My First 100 Days
We made it! I wrapped up The First 100 Days as Issaquah's new Superintendent and am transitioning to setting our short-term budget priorities and kicking-off our strategic planning for the future. Thank you for graciously sharing your feedback with me through group events and meetings, emails, the Community Forum and the series of Thought Exchanges.
It has been a busy 100 days of listening, learning and engaging with vested partners:
- I met with nearly 125 students through ASB, and even shadowed a student.
- I visited every operational, school and educational program site at least once — and attended numerous staff meetings, professional development and events across the district, including a bus ride along a route, eating school lunch, and reading with students. And I've had over 50 meetings with administrators.
- I engaged with over 100 family and community members through a variety of group events and meetings. This includes business and tribal leaders, and local media.
- I met with over 10 elected officials, and I've met with over 10 union leaders representing all employee groups, and several of these leaders more than once!
I am so proud to serve this community! As a next step, you can expect to hear more in the new year about budgeting and strategic planning.
Visits to Schools
