Mike Rockwood, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Lake Dallas ISD
How long have you been in your new role as superintendent for Lake Dallas ISD?
overall responsibility of the position. As a central office leader, you are part of a team with an advisory role. Whereas the superintendent has the final authority on most I was named the superintendent of Lake Dallas ISD matters. In this regard, it’s always helpful if staff members on July 19, 2021. The first few weeks have been arrive with a recommendation to go along with the issue very fast-paced, but it has been amazing to meet so they’ve found. many people who care about public education in the Lake Dallas ISD community. What do you wish you would’ve known as a DOC now that you are superintendent? What were your considerations when looking at hiring a new DOC? One of the things I worked on during my career was to be engaged in all the work. This means instruction, Communication is critical in today’s world. When operations, finances, board initiatives and so on. I find you look at how much social media and video the best central office administrators are constantly accessibility has grown over the last decade, you trying to figure out all aspects of their organization and can see it will be a huge factor in how society how they can help create systemic efficiencies from their communicates moving forward. I believe now “seat on the bus.” I would encourage all communications more than ever that it is important for a DOC to professionals to engage deeply in curriculum initiatives, as understand this medium and how to leverage it well as community events. If you don’t truly know what is effectively. Strategy, emotional intelligence and happening in your classrooms, you may struggle to convey character are also things I always want to see in a it to your community. strong communications professional. Besides your education, what were some of the What has surprised you most about your new most important lessons you learned throughout your role? communications career? I am not sure if there is much that has surprised me about the superintendency, thanks to my many experiences over the years in multiple school districts. However, the biggest difference is the 14
Fall 2021 | www.TSPRA.org
To communicate well, you first must LISTEN. If you are trying to find better outcomes, reduce conflict, or implement change — first seek to understand, before
