|
Highland Park's Gena Gardiner to take the helm
By Jennifer Leclaire
 Long before Gena Gardiner ever set foot in a schoolhouse, she wanted to be a teacher. A young Gardiner would arrange her dolls in a mock classroom setting and play “school” every morning.
“I can’t ever remember not wanting to be a teacher,” says Gardiner, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and special programs at Highland Park ISD. “I grew up in a wonderful family of educators. They were passionate about education — and so am I.”
After earning her bachelor’s degree in education in 1977, Gardiner officially began practicing her lifelong passion. She launched her teaching career in a Dallas private school. In 1980, after earning her master’s degree, she started teaching in the public school system. In 1987, she moved into administration.
“When I moved into the role of principal at an elementary school, I wasn’t really ready to leave the classroom,” Gardiner admits. “At first, I was concerned that I would lose my connection with the students. But I discovered I could stay connected with the students, and we could all learn together.”
Gardiner took her first administrative role in Henderson ISD and stayed with that district through 2000. Her roles included serving as principal of Central and Chamberlain elementary schools; as executive director of curriculum, instruction, special programs; and as executive director for the Henderson ISD Education Foundation. Before making her way to Highland Park ISD in 2002, Gardiner served as director of instructional improvement K-12 and community development for Weatherford ISD.
In October, Gardiner will take the presidential reins of the Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, a nonprofit organization committed to improving teaching and learning for the success of all learners.
“The bottom line is, we need to support our teachers and their ability to lead by taking into consideration technology and culture changes, economic issues, demographic shifts and our interconnectedness with a complex world,” Gardiner says. “We’re working on a continuous learning model to make sure we support our teachers as they support their students on the journey of learning.”
Gardiner is well able to answer the call. She holds numerous memberships in professional and civic organizations. She has held multiple offices with the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and has presented at several state and national conferences and organizations.
“I learned many years ago of the gifts educators can share with each other and how valuable it is to move outside the four walls of your classroom,” Gardiner says. “Certainly, we’re always learning from our students. We’re always learning from our families and our communities. But to move outside to visit with other educators and share practices with colleagues is an eye-opening experience.”
Gardiner is looking forward to serving as president of an organization whose members are so passionate about their work. She points to the October 2008 conference in Galveston. Every detail of the event had been set when Hurricane Ike devastated the Texas coastline. The Texas ASCD had three options: keep the conference in Galveston (if that were even possible), change venues or cancel the conference.
“[Executive Director] Yolanda Rey and the Texas ASCD board were determined, so long as it was safe for participants, to keep the conference in Galveston,” Gardiner says. “Not only was it doable, but it was the right thing to do. It was the right thing to do for our friends in Galveston and for our colleagues and educators there — and for educators as a whole. That’s the spirit of the Texas ASCD: Texans serving Texans. It was a very humbling experience.”
In her downtime, Gardiner enjoys spending time with her husband, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents and godchildren. She also enjoys the friends she has made in the education field. But no matter where she is or what she’s doing, her passion for education never leaves her heart.
“Our work is about schoolchildren. Sometimes it’s an overwhelming responsibility, but it’s so inspiring and so delightful to invest in the lives of the future leaders of our nation and our world,” Gardiner says. “It’s a wonderful and joyful experience.”
JENNIFER LECLAIRE is a freelance writer. She covers education, business, technology and creative industries.
|
