Carlson hopes NRHEG continues to improve
ENGAGING - Dale Carlson discussing the difficulty of Covid-19 and the decision behind his retirement. (Star Eagle photo by Deb Bently)
By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Staff Writer
Dale Carlson, superintendent of the NRHEG school district for the past six years, has decided to retire.
Carlson credits his upbringing with inspiring him to work in education. His father was a Lutheran pastor, and his mother was an administrative assistant at a community college. “They really instilled in me that real core belief of service and of helping,” said Carlson, who knew early on that he wanted to serve as a teacher.
Carlson received his teaching degree in mathematics from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. Subsequently, he worked for 30 years at larger school districts in Wis., such as La Crosse and Janesville, first as a teacher for 10 years, then as a principal for 13 years, and finally, as a superintendent for seven years. He also coached wrestling for 10 years.
Carlson loved teaching, but soon aspired to have a greater impact. “That's what started me down that track of administration,” said Carlson, who credits the mentoring he received from great principals with inspiring him to take the next step. Carlson became a building administrator. The natural next step was to aim for an even larger impact in a district-wide system. As a superintendent, Carlson worked with boards of education on policies and employment, working through staff to have an impact on students. “I've just had wonderful opportunities,” said Carlson. “I've been so blessed along the way. I think public education is the best and greatest profession there is.”
The NRHEG district position provided Carlson with an opportunity to make a change. “It appealed to me as far as a smaller, rural community,” he said. “That was a change for me, and one that I was seeking.”
Carlson has reflected a lot during his time at NRHEG Public Schools on the differences between our district and the larger districts with which he was previously familiar. One aspect he focused on was that everybody knows everybody. “There are so many positives to that,” said Carlson, who has been appreciative of the relationships he built with community members. “It's easier to do that the smaller that you are. It's just been something that has appealed to me, and that I've enjoyed.” Carlson pointed out that it's also easier to engage people and get them involved in the schools in a smaller district. “Those are definitely pluses to being part of a smaller school.”
Engaging community members was one of the highlights of Carlson's time with NRHEG. In 2015 and '16, Carlson got the community involved in a conversation about a strategic plan for the district in order to solidify their core values and vision for the district. Carlson added, “Which by the way, it's time to review all that again. I'll leave that for my successor.” Another highlight for Carlson was,”Passing the 2019 Referendum that led to so many great things for our schools moving forward, most notably our career technology education programs at the secondary school.”
According to Carlson, being part of the hiring process has been the most impactful part of his job – selecting quality individuals who care about students. “I'm going to miss working alongside those people,” said Carlson, “our caring professionals who are so committed to helping students learn and grow every day. I'll miss that daily interaction with students and staff, and being part of the overall school cultures here at NRHEG.”
Regarding the Covid pandemic, Carlson said, “It's challenged me even more to focus on how we can work together as a school community, focusing on the health and safety of our students and staff and families, but at the same time balancing that with how critical it is for our kids to be in school to receive that daily interaction with each other and with their teachers. It's just been a constant push and pull in trying to figure out that balance. And, of course, [...] we had very little choice in the learning model at a given time, following the state's guidance. But for me personally, it's been that continual trying to work with our staff and our families in communities, trying to achieve that balance as best as we can. It's been a challenge that I haven't experienced to that degree or level before.
“We've worked through many challenges, and we'll see where the future goes with this,” Carlson continued, predicting a “new normal” in education. Carlson was hesitant to predict what the “new normal” might look like, but said, “I just don't know if it's going to look exactly the same as we've known it to be prior to 13 months ago.” Carlson has a positive outlook for the future resulting from our recent experiences with the pandemic: “This has in so many ways forced us to think about one another [and] the health and wellness of those around us, not just ourselves. […] I'm hoping a positive will be that we will be even more aware and we consider how things impact those around us.”
Per Carlson, NRHEG public schools were not built to be able to switch to a distance learning format overnight, but he expressed pride in what the staff at NRHEG was able to accomplish in such a short time, providing a quality experience for students. “But again, it's not the same,” said Carlson, who is grateful that most of the students have been able to be back at the schools in person. “Academically though, I think [distance learning] has been hard on both our students and staff, because we just know for most of our kids the most effective way to learn is being here in person. It's been a real challenge.”
Carlson said one could wish that the schools had been better prepared for a distance learning contingency, but in fact, Minnesota schools were better prepared than many others, because they already had measures in place to deal with snow days. “We were already a one-to-one district,” said Carlson, referring to the fact that the district had Web capable devices available for each student, at least for 6th - 12th grades. The secondary school students had Chromebooks, while lower grades had iPads. “Right away last spring, we were ahead of the game compared to others, where, with a very quick turn-around, we were able to get those devices in the hands of kids at home, and almost immediately for many of our kids, especially our older kids, we were able to do some of that daily interaction online.”
Students and staff have been back in person at NRHEG for the last two months. “Yes, we still have limitations and health parameters placed on us,” said Carlson, “but I'm optimistic that things are only going to get better moving forward.”
No one knows if another health emergency such as the Coronavirus pandemic might assert itself, but Carlson hopes we've learned from experience. “I hope that we can take definitely what we've learned and build upon it for if and when that day comes,” he said. “I'm just hoping that it's not any time soon.”
Why did Carlson choose this year to retire? “I don't know if many know this, but I've been commuting back and forth almost weekly from La Crosse,” said Carlson, whose wife, Sharon, is a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing in La Crosse. “There's been so many positives that have kept me here for six years, but I'm looking forward to spending more time with my wife and around home. Professionally, I'm looking forward to time to just step back a little bit, and reflect on what I've done, and decide […] what I want to do next.” Carlson is looking into volunteer opportunities that weren't possible for him while working. Though it's probable Carlson won't step away from public education completely, he doesn't have any definite plans. “I still have a high interest in being involved in some capacity in impacting kids. I look forward to whatever that opportunity is.”
Meanwhile, Carlson is looking forward to experiencing more than a week of summer vacation for the first time in 25 years.
Carlson extends a thank you to the NRHEG community for supporting his work, but more importantly, for supporting the students, staff and families. “I've been so blessed here,” said Carlson. “I've been blessed with being able to serve and work with the board of education along the way. This is a great place to work, and quite honestly, a great way to end what's been a very rewarding career for me of 36 years.
“My hope and wish is that the district will continue continually improving,” said Carlson. “Always looking for improvement, and really the focus on doing what's best for students, and their growth, learning and development. And [with] their continued commitment to that, I think that their future continues to be very bright.”