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 As we enter our seventh year, we are thrilled to see The Broad Residency network thriving. Residents have established their reputation as problem-solvers who bring a fresh perspective to the challenges of improving urban public education. Moreover, they are proving that a management role in a school system offers a significant opportunity for impact and growth in leadership skills. Here are highlights of our program’s results:
Most meaningful to us is the value Broad Residents provide to their organizations. In 2008, over 700 supervisors and colleagues participated in our extensive 360-feedback process for Residents. They rated Residents "exceptional" in terms of overall contribution to their organizations. Typical comments about Residents include "an invaluable asset and a joy to have on our senior team," "without her contributions, there is no way we would be rolling out some massive and important reforms," and "he takes on the absolutely hardest, most important problems we face and solves them." I hope you enjoy learning more about the impact of Broad Residents on students in this newsletter or on our new website. 
A Bold Vision for Seattle Public Schools  Maria Goodloe-Johnson, superintendent of Seattle Public Schools and a 2003 graduate of The Broad Superintendents Academy, is a woman on a mission. “I want to have the best urban school district in the nation,” she said. Goodloe-Johnson, who began leading the district in July 2007, has already put Seattle schools on a reform path. To succeed, she knows she needs the right people in place, and Broad Residents are key. “Residents bring an expertise at a level that, in my experience, public schools don’t get,” Goodloe-Johnson said. “You don’t get people with MBAs and project management backgrounds in the academic arena.” School districts face complex and nuanced problems, and they require adept managers with the experience and creativity to solve them. Broad Residents have the background and skills – and are given the responsibility – to make an impact. Just ask Broad Residency alumnus Brad Bernatek (Class of 2006–2008).  As Director of Research, Evaluation and Assessment – the Seattle department responsible for student statistics including enrollment, demographics, evaluation and standardized testing – Bernatek directs Seattle schools’ data-driven decision making. If the job sounds difficult and complex, Bernatek would be the first to agree. With a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University – where he graduated in the top 2% of his class – and work experience at Ford Motor Company and IBM Business Consulting Services, Bernatek is well equipped for the work.  However, he understands that “this doesn’t mean you can solve all the problems yourself or solve them overnight. There’s a certain humility that’s required,” he said. “This work could take a career. It could take 20 years. This is hard, hard work.” Goodloe-Johnson says, “Brad understands the importance of analysis, and how you deliver data to me, the board, and the larger community.” For her part, Goodloe-Johnson, a self-proclaimed “data person,” believes that data plays a key role for her to realize her vision for the Seattle district. Making data practically applicable has been a career challenge for Bernatek. “For me, data alone hasn’t been enough,” he said. “But taking data and turning it into relevant information for the person you’re providing it to, that’s where there’s real power. I’ve spent my career figuring out how to do that within the education space.” He pointed to attendance as an example of data shaping Seattle decisions. “People talk about attendance as key,” Bernatek explained, “but it’s different for different students. If I give a high school a report that says 50 students have attendance problems, and ten are having attendance problems for the first time, then you know there’s something happening in their lives right now.” That’s the moment for action, Bernatek said. “If you can act now and get them back on track, then that’s the best opportunity to address it. The reality is the 40 other students had attendance problems last year, and we should have known that the day they walked in the door.” For his part, Bernatek knows he has tremendous responsibility. “I’m in a position to take advantage of the things that I do extremely well and that I care deeply about,” he said. “Through these talents I’ve been building, I can really have an impact on kids. I have an opportunity – a bully pulpit – and I can drive discussions because I have this data and can make sense of it.”  New Broad Residents Jessica de Barros and Cordell Carter (Class of 2008–2010) who recently joined Seattle Public Schools, have also discovered that their work in the Seattle district requires all of their skills, talents, and knowledge. “This is a great challenge,” said de Barros. “I’ve never had an experience like this.”   Carter, who has degrees in political science, policy, and law said, “I’m using my entire education, unlike any other job I’ve had previously. Education is so complex. I had no idea.” Carter has appreciated the complexity, finding his work challenging, engaging, and rewarding. “I’m doing interesting work every day,” he said, “and doing something that has an effect on real people.”  Seattle’s Broad Residents are working to transform Seattle Public Schools, and Goodloe-Johnson knows they will continue to help implement her reform vision and make a difference for Seattle schools. Does she want more Residents? “Absolutely,” she said. “I want four next year.”  The Broad Residency Expands Selection Criteria After six years of identifying, placing and supporting talented professionals, The Broad Residency has implemented a key selection criteria change: the degree requirement has been expanded beyond the MBA, MPP, or JD and now includes all candidates with a master’s degree or higher, regardless of the discipline. We continue to seek candidates with a minimum of four years of work experience, primarily in business functions/roles and primarily from the private sector. Why the change? Broadening the Residency’s selection criteria casts a wider net to identify highly capable, reform-minded, and passionate managers to transform America’s schools. “Initially, we pursued only the MBA, MPP, or JD because it allowed us to focus recruiting efforts on those most likely to have the track record of leadership, management, and problem solving skills needed for systemic change,” explained Chaka Booker, Director of Recruitment. “However, they are not the only candidates with the necessary skills and work experience. Broadening the degree requirement is exciting because now talented professionals with a range of advanced degrees have the opportunity to apply for The Broad Residency.”
The Broad Residency Increases Web Presence  On September 30, 2008, The Broad Residency launched a new website with updated, comprehensive content about the Residency program and profiles of the Class of 2008–2010. The Residency also has pages on Facebook and LinkedIn; see below for more information on connecting with us!  What’s new about The Broad Residency’s website? Some highlights:
Check it out for yourself. Visit www.broadresidency.org and take a look! The Broad Residency Announces Newest Class  Fall is here, and as the students packed their backpacks to begin the school year, the newest Broad Residents were already working in urban school systems across the country. The Broad Residency Class of 2008 – 2010 includes 23 Residents who are working in urban school districts and eight who are working in charter management organizations. Armed with impressive leadership and management experience, they are motivated and prepared for the hard work that awaits them. Read the bios of the new class here. Friend Request: The Broad Residency Wants to Add You  The Broad Residency may not have as many Facebook friends as Michael Phelps (yet), but our network grows daily and we want you to be a part of it! The Residency has a presence on Facebook and LinkedIn, and when you connect with us, you’ll stay in touch with the Residency network, learn about upcoming events, keep on top of what’s happening in the education reform movement, and do your part to change our country for the better. We believe Margaret Mead, who said, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Befriend The Broad Residency on Facebook and LinkedIn and become a part of our group. We can change the world, together. Join us.
The Broad Residency
The Broad Residency, a leadership development program that immediately puts participants in full-time managerial positions in urban school systems, is recruiting for the 2009-2011. The deadline to apply for the early cycle is December 1, 2008. Please visit www.broadresidency.org to apply and learn about recruiting locations and dates. The Broad Residency plans to attend the 2008 Net Impact North America Conference Career Expo as an exhibitor. If you are planning to attend, please stop by our booth at the Career Fair to learn more about The Broad Residency. 2008 Net Impact North America Conference
The Broad Center The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems is a non-profit organization that seeks to raise student achievement by recruiting, training and supporting executive leadership talent from across America to become the next generation of urban school district leaders. Established in 2001 and funded by The Broad Foundation, The Broad Center identifies talented leaders from education, business, the military, non-profit organizations and government backgrounds who have the passion, knowledge and skills to take on executive leadership roles in urban education. The Broad Center operates both The Broad Residency and The Broad Superintendents Academy, a ten-month executive management program to train working CEOs and other top executives to lead urban public school systems. For more information about The Broad Center, go to www.broadcenter.org. The Broad Foundation The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation is a national venture philanthropy established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Eli Broad to advance entrepreneurship for the public good in education, science and the arts. The Broad Foundation’s education work is focused on dramatically improving urban K-12 public education through better governance, management, labor relations and competition. The Broad Foundation’s Internet address is www.broadfoundation.org.
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