World Affairs Lunch---Richard DeLorenzo
An exciting/thought provoking day. It began with my introduction of Richard DeLorenzo as the luncheon speaker, his success story of the Chugach School District quality school design, and ended with dinner in his honor at the Japanese Consul-General's.
This is who he is: grew up in Washington state, one of 11 children, taught in Juneau and Port Graham, fly fishing guide, An Alaskan, a leader and innovator in changing schools to realize kids potential, started the Re-Inventing School Coalition to accomplish his vision and mission.
This is the formal introduction I used:
Superintendent, Chugach School District, AK
Richard DeLorenzo, an internationally known leader in education reform and organization restructuring, is best known for his uniquely comprehensive-grass-roots approach to the advancement of educational systems. This is successfully demonstrated within his Alaskan Chugach School District, where he serves as superintendent. This historically challenged system made phenomenal strides and was one of the first ever education recipients of the prestigious National Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award in 2001. Mr. DeLorenzo is also founder and president of the Re-inventing Schools Coalition (RISC). This organization is dedicated to working with stakeholders in challenged educational systems to guide them in the areas of leadership, shared vision, standards-based systems and continuous improvement that will transform their organization. Their mission involves producing innovative schools that offer every child the opportunity to fulfill his or her life dreams. Mr. DeLorenzo has been invited to speak in many countries around the world, including; India, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and England. His life experience includes more than 26 years of work with youth and students in a variety of age groups, risk scenarios and environmental settings. Mr. DeLorenzo has made dramatic changes in common education organizations, including breaking the traditional barriers of antiquated systems. Examples include a waiver from the Alaska Department of Education to transition from a high school credit system to a performance-based system for the Chugach School District, performance pay for classified and certified staff, 30 plus days of in-service training, and moving into year round schools where student attendance can exceed 245 days. This district is the only K-12 school district to receive the New American High School Award and the National American Native Exemplar Award.
Mr. DeLorenzo's Quality Schools concept is being implemented in 12 additional school districts in Alaska. Also, a number of school districts outside are implementing the approach. Ohhh, to teach in such a school!
Dinner at the Japanese Consul-General's was marvelous---heart-felt, sincere conversation accompanied by exquisite food and drink (white wine, red wine, sake, Janpanese plum wine---yes, I had some of each).
9:56:53 AM 
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