Thursday, September 10, 2009

Spotlight Interview of School Superintendent Alberto Rogriquez

Clare Bertrand, Crocker Farm parent and member of the Crocker Farm PGO, has shared a questionnaire filled out by our new school superintendent. I have posted it here for your information  -- Ann McLaughlin


SPOTLIGHT on our new Superintendent: Alberto Rodriguez

What you want us to call you? Alberto or Dr. Rodriguez.

Where did you graduate high school? Coral Gables Senior High School, Coral Gables, Florida.

Best memory from high school: My friends.

What was your favorite subject in school? History.

Tell us about your family: I have been married to my best friend, Maria, for over 23 years and we have two daughters, Madison and Danielle.  They are 20 and 19 years old, respectively, and are both in college.

What are you reading right now? Primal Teen.  It tells us a lot about the adolescent brain and how it works.  It explains a great deal about why adolescents do the things they do.

And what would you recommend to read? Millennials Rising: The Next Generation by Neil Howe, William Strauss and R.J. Matson. This gives educators and the general lay public an insight into this transformational generation.


What is your favorite movie? I have many, but I’ll name a few:  The Godfather (I), Jaws (I), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

What do you consider comfort food? Italian food.

What is one thing you miss from your home in Florida? My family, friends and house.


How would you describe your leadership style? There are several aspects of it:  Facilitative, Distributive, and Delegative.

What is one thing that really sets you off? When adults lie.


What is one thing that you really love about education? When a child’s life is turned around because of an outstanding teacher or a successful program.

If you were the US Education Czar, what big idea would you introduce? It’s not a big idea—just replicate and fully-fund programs and initiatives that work and discontinue those that don’t work.  Additionally, fully-fund early childhood education to the extent that all children have access to quality Pre-K.

How do you relax? Reading, traveling and spending time with my family.

Do you have a favorite sport? Baseball.

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Eating food that I shouldn’t eat.

What surprises you the most about Amherst so far? How such a liberal community can be so resistant to change.


If we want to talk with you, what is the best way? Through my fantastic assistant, Debbie Westmoreland. westmorelandD@arps.org.