LM - January 2015

Bertrand develops culture of ‘kids first’ Rochester superintendent named Illinois Superintendent of the Year

By Michael Chamness IASA Director of Communications Dr. Tom Bertrand’s 13-year tenure as superintendent of the Rochester School District includes many impressive, tangible accomplishments -- things like a nationally acclaimed anti-bullying program, a digital conversion, a new differentiated professional development program for teachers and administrators, dual- credit classes, creation of its own special

but we want to set high expectations.” Bertrand expressed mixed feelings about being named Illinois Superintendent of the Year. “It’s a great feeling to be recognized by your peers. It’s a very humbling experience and in some ways I’m a little uncomfortable because I know how hard many of my colleagues work and the great work they do in their school districts,” said Bertrand, who

has been an educator for 28 years. He served as a teacher, coach, principal and assistant superintendent before becoming superintendent in Rochester in 2002. “I look at this as recognition for our schools and our

“It’s not about adults first, it’s about kids first. It’s a culture about high expectations and continuous improvement.” --Rochester Superintendent Dr. Tom Bertrand, 2015 Illinois Superintendent of the Year

education program and even a new campus as the result of five successful referendums. Rochester also is known statewide for its

community. Our board, staff and our teachers are all marching to the same beat. Those who know me well know that I expect a lot from our principals and teachers, and I consider this award the fruits of their labor, not mine.” Incredibly, Bertrand is only the fifth school superintendent in Rochester since 1936, a fact he said “speaks volumes about the community support for our schools.” It also is a reflection of what Bertrand calls his sandbox analogy. “The board’s role is to build the sandbox and the superintendent’s responsibility is to play inside of it.

music, art and athletics programs, including the Rockets’ five straight Class 4A state football championships, an unprecedented streak for public schools in Illinois. But ask the 2015 Illinois Superintendent of the Year the mark he’d most like to leave on the Rochester School District and Bertrand will tell you it’s about building a “kids first” culture. “It’s not about adults first, it’s about kids first,” Bertrand said. “It’s a culture about high expectations and continuous improvement. It’s a lot to live up to,

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