In his first month on the job, Kent School District Superintendent Calvin Watts is establishing ties in the community and setting goals.
Watts, who took over as head of the district on June 15, was the guest of honor at a reception hosted by the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce on July 9 at Golden Steer Steak ‘n Rib House.
Representatives from local businesses and organizations introduced themselves to Watts and explained their roles in the community and how they hope to work with Watts and the district. Watts spent about 15 minutes addressing the crowd, discussing his upbringing and goals for the district.
Watts said he has enjoyed his first few weeks on the job.
“It feels like I have been here for a much longer time, and I mean that in the most positive way because of the relationships I have already had the opportunity to establish that I plan to develop and enhance, the fantastic and truly talented incredibly smart and humble and hungry individuals with whom I have the opportunity to serve alongside,” he said.
Watts addressed the importance of developing partnerships with community organizations and business.
“I do know that this will not be work that will be solely given to me; it will be given to us,” he said. “I know that I do shoulder the responsibility and the accountability and I accept that. At the same time, as we move this fine school district and this outstanding school district forward know that the support that I will be leaning upon is right here. … When we have the questions that need to be asked, the problems that need to be solved and the dilemmas that need to be resolved, may I remind you that the answer is in the room.”
Watts said he looks forward to building long-lasting relationships in the community.
“I plan to be here for a very, very, very long time,” he said.
In his first few weeks on the job Watts has come up with what he calls his ABCDs of prevision work for the district.
“I hold myself accountable. That is the A,” he said. “B – we will use best-we-know practices in every aspect of our work, research, evidence based. Not best practices given that there may not just be one way to do it but best we know. That means we have to come together to have those conversations.
“C – continuous quality improvement. As good as we are we can always be better,” Watts explained. ” … D stands for data drive. It doesn’t mean data-driven decisions. It means we begin by having the right conversation surrounding the data.”
Born in Seattle and raised in Bellevue, Watts began his career in public education as a middle school teacher in Seattle Public Schools. He spent the last 21 years in Georgia, working in various roles, including most recently as an assistant superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools in Suwanee, Ga.
Watts said his priority is to help the students in the Kent School District succeed.
“We just left 174,000 of our children in the state of Georgia to adopt and bring in to our fold 27,000 children,” he said. “That is who we serve. That is how seriously I take my role. As a servant leader, my goal is to provide leadership support to meet the needs of all students – each student. Our mission – why we exist – is to successfully prepare all students for their futures.”
Watts said he learned a lot of important life lessons from his parents. His mother died of cancer when he was finishing his undergraduate degree. His father lives in Maple Valley.
“My dad always said character is who you are and what you do when you think no one’s watching,” he said. “I remember this like it was yesterday, ‘Son,’ he said, ‘Someone is always watching.'”
He said his parents also taught him the importance of having a good work-life balance.
“To take good care of yourself mentally, physically, spiritually so that one day you can take good care of others,” he said. “I need to take care of myself so that we can take care of our 27,000 children.”
Watts said that in his free time he enjoys traveling, watching and playing sports and reading. He also enjoys teaching.
“I will always consider myself a teacher and a coach,” he said.
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