Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan inspired The Network for Springfield’s Young Professionals with a powerful message of collaboration and community engagement at the latest Local Leadership Series event.
Lathan, in her fourth year with SPS, serves over 24,000 students and 3,500 employees. Although her 30+ years of experience in education has led her to many districts throughout the country, Lathan expressed her love for Springfield, calling it one of the most collaborative communities she has ever lived in. She praised the collaborative culture by mentioning partnerships SPS has developed with other local organizations and institutions and expressed that other communities look to Springfield as a role model.
“We all may have different values and beliefs, but we all want Springfield to win,” said Lathan.
Lathan is committed to constant and open communication in her role and attributes much of the success from her leadership approach to focusing on engagement. She has developed many initiatives to engage students, parents, staff and community members such as Gather with Grenita, Lunch and Learn, SPS University, office hours, visits to district campuses, etc.
Workforce talent attraction and retention was a key subject discussed by Lathan as she mentioned a primary goal for herself as superintendent and for the SPS School Board is to prepare and equip students to enter the workforce, military or higher education.
“Just like your business produces a product, at the end of the day, our product is quality citizens and a well-trained workforce,” said Lathan.
She told Young Professionals (YPs) that a chief objective for herself is to take the vision developed by the SPS School Board and implement it or deliver the message. Lathan mentioned that her primary customers are the students, but she has made it a priority to address the conversation of expectations for district educators and other employees to make sure each student has the resources they need to succeed.
“I believe we have the right people and the right resources if everyone would be truly committed to the one vision,” said Lathan.
When asked what advice she would give herself as a YP, Lathan said she has learned the importance of being devoted to a job without sacrificing her personal friendships and relationships. She shared her experiences in this area as she has often found herself so devoted to a particular path that she lost touch with important people in her life. She told YPs that within the last five years, she has made it a priority to connect with those individuals in the way she feels she should.
“Enjoy personal moments while you also focus on the professional moments in your life,” advised Lathan. “It is not about my title as superintendent, it is about the work I am called to do and that I take pleasure in doing.”
Lathan’s insights sparked a lively discussion among attendees, who left the event feeling inspired by her leadership and dedication to the Springfield community.
