What has the transition into your position as interim deputy superintendent looked like for you and Dr. Scott?
I was honored that (Scott) asked me to (be the interim deputy superintendent of academics and student supports), but at the same time, really taken aback and going, “OK, am I ready for this? Can I do this well?" There is a lot of weight on my shoulders to help her shine, but she's right here with me. A lot of people will go and ask her things that they would be asking her (when she was Deputy Superintendent), and she points them right back to me and says, "Go speak with Donna about that, and then if you guys have questions, let me know." She's definitely given me confidence and the room to grow in this role, but she's also right there (to help).
Dr. Donna elder
What do you hope to see during Dr. Scott's tenure as interim superintendent?
CCSD Interim Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Student Supports
(CCSD is) starting to see real progress in our reading scores in third grade, and Dr. Scott is very much responsible for implementing the new curriculum resources and the new (schooling) around the science of reading. Our third graders were (in) kindergarten when (the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan) work started and (Scott) was Deputy Superintendent. That's what I hope to see: that we continue to see growth.
How have your experiences working in the CCSD since 2001 affected how you work with Dr. Scott?
(Dr. Scott) and I came from very different backgrounds, and our views compliment. I was a struggling learner, and I think that I was socially promoted. Once I got to college outside of Clarke County, it occurred to me that I had been labeled a special (education) kid in Clarke County, and my expectations for my success were lowered because of that. That's a point of view that she didn't live. She grew up in Atlanta Public Schools, (so) she has all the experiences in the world of being a Black student in an urban school district. There's that dynamic that brings us together. We have unique experiences, but both are about underestimating you because of what somebody has decided that you are because of your label.
Dr. Donna elder
CCSD Interim Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Student Supports
What do you hope to see during Dr. Scott's tenure as interim superintendent?
(CCSD is) starting to see real progress in our reading scores in third grade, and Dr. Scott is very much responsible for implementing the new curriculum resources and the new (schooling) around the science of reading. Our third graders were (in) kindergarten when (the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan) work started and (Scott) was Deputy Superintendent. That's what I hope to see: that we continue to see growth.
Dr. Donna elder
CCSD Interim Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Student Supports
Dr. Donna Elder
Ireland McCage
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Transcript
What has the transition into your position as interim deputy superintendent looked like for you and Dr. Scott?
I was honored that (Scott) asked me to (be the interim deputy superintendent of academics and student supports), but at the same time, really taken aback and going, “OK, am I ready for this? Can I do this well?" There is a lot of weight on my shoulders to help her shine, but she's right here with me. A lot of people will go and ask her things that they would be asking her (when she was Deputy Superintendent), and she points them right back to me and says, "Go speak with Donna about that, and then if you guys have questions, let me know." She's definitely given me confidence and the room to grow in this role, but she's also right there (to help).
Dr. Donna elder
What do you hope to see during Dr. Scott's tenure as interim superintendent?
CCSD Interim Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Student Supports
(CCSD is) starting to see real progress in our reading scores in third grade, and Dr. Scott is very much responsible for implementing the new curriculum resources and the new (schooling) around the science of reading. Our third graders were (in) kindergarten when (the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan) work started and (Scott) was Deputy Superintendent. That's what I hope to see: that we continue to see growth.
How have your experiences working in the CCSD since 2001 affected how you work with Dr. Scott?
(Dr. Scott) and I came from very different backgrounds, and our views compliment. I was a struggling learner, and I think that I was socially promoted. Once I got to college outside of Clarke County, it occurred to me that I had been labeled a special (education) kid in Clarke County, and my expectations for my success were lowered because of that. That's a point of view that she didn't live. She grew up in Atlanta Public Schools, (so) she has all the experiences in the world of being a Black student in an urban school district. There's that dynamic that brings us together. We have unique experiences, but both are about underestimating you because of what somebody has decided that you are because of your label.
Dr. Donna elder
CCSD Interim Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Student Supports
What do you hope to see during Dr. Scott's tenure as interim superintendent?
(CCSD is) starting to see real progress in our reading scores in third grade, and Dr. Scott is very much responsible for implementing the new curriculum resources and the new (schooling) around the science of reading. Our third graders were (in) kindergarten when (the 2024-2029 Strategic Plan) work started and (Scott) was Deputy Superintendent. That's what I hope to see: that we continue to see growth.
Dr. Donna elder
CCSD Interim Deputy Superintendent of Academics and Student Supports