High Reliability School Administrators Awarded State’s Top Honor

Bloomington, Ind. (March 21st, 2019)—Marzano Resources has announced that two Marzano High Reliability School (HRS) administrators have been awarded their state’s top honor.

Paula Suda, superintendent of Hillsboro Public Schools, was named North Dakota Superintendent of the Year, while Joe Gordy, principal of Graham High School, was named the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) Region 9 High School Principal of the Year.

“It is a privilege to be named the first female Superintendent of the Year for the state of North Dakota,” said Suda. “Our district’s biggest accomplishment has been getting certified at Level 1 and Level 2 of the Marzano High Reliability Schools framework. The framework has given our district a clear path for continuous improvement and growth.”

Gordy also credits the HRS framework for helping guide the work of his school. “I was fortunate to have been selected as TASSP Region 9 Principal of the Year based on the great things our students and teachers are doing daily. The magnitude of the work our staff at Graham High School is doing and our decision to pursue High Reliability School certification has been reaffirmed.”

Based on 40 years of research, the Marzano High Reliability Schools framework serves as a long-term strategic planning tool that guides school improvement in five key areas:

1. Safe, Supportive and Collaborative Culture
2. Effective Teaching in Every Classroom
3. Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum
4. Standards-Referenced Reporting
5. Competency-Based Education

Marzano Resources offers formal certification for schools or districts that want to attain one or more levels of high reliability. Each level has specific tangible benefits shown to significantly improve school effectiveness and student outcomes.

“I am a firm believer in the design and processes of the HRS framework,” explained Gordy. “It is not an additional initiative; rather, it is a filter for all we are doing to improve educational outcomes of all students at Graham High School.”

Suda agreed. “With HRS, we administrators were able to take a stance that we wouldn’t be adding new initiatives every year. Our staff has taken ownership and is staying on the right path toward growth … The relationships we have built with Marzano Resources have challenged us to be our best, so that we can do the same for our district.”

Learn more about Marzano Resources.