POINTS of PRIDE: Creston

Superintendent Steve McDermott

When you enter a district where the superintendent is a former art teacher, you know you will see a place where the arts are not forgotten.  This is a welcoming district with that sense of welcome communicated in a message on their website:  "We are so proud of our students, staff, parents, and community! Together we are all focused on our local girls and boys and their learning. We genuinely care about each and every student and we do our best to prepare our children for future success. Our Panther Pride has been built upon the accomplishments of our students, our alumni, and everyone else involved with our schools."  The district as well as the community has a unified purpose. Creston cares by "cultivating achievement and responsibility while educating all students."

District Demographics:
Enrollment 1400
Free & Reduced Lunch 50%

Professional Development is strong K-12.  Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW) is the focus which started at the high school.  Read Alouds and Think Alouds are throughout the district which began at the elementary.  There is also a focus on Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR).  Recently, the board doubled their technology budget for Chromebooks at the high school.  The shift to the culture is not about the devices but about expanding instruction.    Their focus is to use technology to create an energy around innovation with an enthusiasm to "stir it up!"  They strive to create a culture that makes you want to teach in their buildings.  They are also striving to offer more contemporary classes to prepare students for the world.  There is an enthusiasm for both arts and extra curriculars with band & drum line, Drama &  Speech, and strong art classes.   The elementary and middle school  make celebrations a part of what they do - celebrating both academic and student character successes.  


PBIS and Character Counts are part of the way they do business.  Coaches and sponsors use the Character Counts pillars with students by providing reminders of what these pillars look like both on and off the field or floor.  For extra curriculars, there is a focus on positive coaching as a way of making students "double champions" - folks that win but also build character.  To encourage this focus, all coaches participated in a book study using Positive Coaching by Jim Thompson.  


Superintendent McDermott sees his role as continually sharing the vision for his schools through strong communication with staff and community.  He also sees his job as one of building the culture of learning by monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum as well as the quality of instruction and assessment.  A quote found in this district that speaks to the collaboration of Creston staff and community is:  "Alone we are just drops but together we make it rain!"  Keep on "raining," Creston!