LM April 2024

IASA Welcomes Dr. Dawn Bridges Incoming Associate Director of Professional Development

By Jason Nevel IASA Director of Communications

Dr. Bridges’ background includes three decades of educational experiences from different sectors. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Suburban School Superintendents Association, a role she has held since 2021. The Suburban School Superintendents Association is a national organization that provides members with resources, tools and professional development opportunities. In some ways, Dr. Bridges views her role as a “connector for superintendents.” “People will come to me and say I need help with X,” Dr. Bridges said. “I have relationships with superintendents across the country and therefore am able to connect them with a peer who is already doing the work.”

The seeds of how high-quality professional development can elevate a school district were planted for Dr. Dawn Bridges at Antioch CCSD #34. She was a principal under the tutelage of Dr. Heidi Wennstrom, then the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction before later moving on to the superintendency at Butler SD #53. Recognizing the critical link between professional development and student achievement, the district made a strategic decision in the early 2000’s to invest significant resources in teacher training programs. Dr. Wennstrom spearheaded the initiative and recruited Dr. Bridges to help transform professional development opportunities for the staff, which included building professional learning networks.

Dr. Bridges is also the co-lead of the AASA Social- Emotional Learning cohort and most recently worked at Right At School, where she served as Vice President of Educational Affairs. Right At School provides before and after-school enrichment in elementary schools across the nation. Much of her focus at Right at School was around inclusion and ensuring all kids had equitable access to after-school programs. “We strived to help school districts create ecosystems of support and care before, during and after school,” Dr. Bridges said. “Student learning doesn’t always happen between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. We tried to help districts reimagine what the entire school day experience could

“We dedicated resources into building great practitioners, which included investing a lot of money and time to make sure our teachers were of the highest caliber,” Dr. Bridges said. “We wanted our teachers to be lifelong learners and to work collaboratively with each other.” Passionate About Professional Development Dr. Bridges comes to IASA with a passion for professional development and years of experience helping districts in urban, suburban and rural settings. She will begin on July 1, replacing Dr. Courtney Orzel, who will return to the superintendency at Lemont-Bromberek CSD #113A on June 30 after four years with IASA.

12

LM April 2024