Texas ASCD PRESIDENT profile Highland Park’s Gena Gardiner to take the helm by Jennifer LeClaire
L
ong 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 sup-
port 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 Gena Gardiner (left) works with Highland Park Middle School English Department Chair Yvonne Janik and Armstrong professional and civic orga- Elementary kindergarten teacher Anne Edwards (right) during nizations. She has held mul- a summer writing workshop. (Photo credit for this page, table of tiple offices with the Texas contents and Gardiner’s portrait on cover: Mei-Chun Jau.) Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and Galveston,” Gardiner says. “Not only was has presented at several state and national it doable, but it was the right thing to do. conferences and organizations. It was the right thing to do for our friends “I learned many years ago of the gifts in Galveston and for our colleagues and educators can share with each other and educators there — and for educators as how valuable it is to move outside the four a whole. That’s the spirit of the Texas walls of your classroom,” Gardiner says. ASCD: Texans serving Texans. It was a “Certainly, we’re always learning from very humbling experience.” our students. We’re always learning from In her downtime, Gardiner enjoys our families and our communities. But to spending time with her husband, parents, move outside to visit with other educators aunts, uncles, grandparents and godchiland share practices with colleagues is an dren. She also enjoys the friends she has eye-opening experience.” made in the education field. But no matter Gardiner is looking forward to servwhere she is or what she’s doing, her pasing as president of an organization whose sion for education never leaves her heart. members are so passionate about their “Our work is about schoolchildren. work. She points to the October 2008 Sometimes it’s an overwhelming conference in Galveston. Every detail of responsibility, but it’s so inspiring and the event had been set when Hurricane so delightful to invest in the lives of Ike devastated the Texas coastline. The the future leaders of our nation and our Texas ASCD had three options: keep the world,” Gardiner says. “It’s a wonderful conference in Galveston (if that were and joyful experience.” even possible), change venues or cancel the conference. “[Executive Director] Yolanda JENNIFER LECLAIRE is a freelance Rey and the Texas ASCD board were writer. She covers education, business, determined, so long as it was safe for technology and creative industries. participants, to keep the conference in July/August 2009 • Texas School Business
13