In this episode of Spanning the Need, we are joined by Tim Saxton, the retiring superintendent of Boardman Local Schools. With a distinguished career spanning 36 years in education, Tim shares his journey from a young math teacher and coach to becoming the superintendent of one of the area’s largest school districts.
Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of education, the impact of inspiring teachers and mentors, and the life lessons gleaned from a lifetime of serving students and the community. Stay tuned for an insightful conversation about leadership, the evolving landscape of education, and leaving a legacy that matters.
Key Takeaways
- Every child can learn, and educators should never give up on a student, no matter the challenges they face.
- Education is a people business, and investing in passionate, high-quality teachers and staff is the key to success.
- COVID-19 highlighted the importance of in-person learning and social interaction for students’ academic and emotional well-being.
- Effective leadership involves forgiveness, empathy, and seeing the good in people while maintaining high standards.
- Running your own race, at your own pace, is a vital life lesson for students as they embark on their post-graduation journeys.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Reflecting on Retirement
02:09 Journey into Education: Tim’s Story
04:56 Early Career and Influences
07:55 Philosophy and Challenges in Education
10:10 Impact of COVID on Education
13:04 Financial Struggles and Solutions
16:53 Transportation Challenges in Schools
21:20 Adapting Education to Fit Every Student
22:07 Balancing Standardization and Teacher Autonomy
23:25 The Impact of Educators
25:51 Personal Inspirations and Influences
28:26 Reflections on Leadership
30:46 Commencement and Final Messages
33:39 Retirement Plans and Future Aspirations
36:56 Final Reflections and Farewell
Episode Highlights
Lessons from a lifetime in education
Tim shares the key lessons he has learned over his 36-year career, emphasizing the potential in every student, the importance of investing in people, and the need to adapt to the changing landscape of education.
Navigating challenges and embracing innovation
From the impact of COVID-19 to the evolving needs of diverse student populations, Tim discusses the challenges faced by educators and the importance of embracing innovation and flexibility to ensure student success.
Leadership with empathy and purpose
Tim reflects on his leadership style and the importance of empathy, forgiveness, and seeing the best in people while maintaining high standards and a commitment to excellence.
Leaving a legacy and looking ahead
As he prepares for retirement, Tim shares his hopes for the future of Boardman Local Schools, his plans for staying connected to education, and the life lessons he hopes to impart to the Class of 2023 at his final commencement.
Quotes
- “Every kid can learn and you can’t give up on that, you know, and I also got that from my dad. My dad taught me don’t ever give up on somebody no matter what because once you give up on them, it’s over.”
- “COVID taught us a lot… We are social beings. We have to have social interaction. And even though we had to close some buildings down to try to slow the spread of COVID, that made sense. Well, one of the lessons we’ve learned is, um, that impacted kids.”
- “I always felt like my prayer in the morning was, can I make an impact on one person today? And you know, when I was a teacher, you might have 120 and I might sound like, Oh, that’s not a very good goal, but if I can make impact one person, just, just one. You know, and I taught 178 days. I’ve impacted 178 people and then multiply that by, you know, 30, 36 year career, that’s pretty cool, you know?”
- “I just, I want to share that message. Yeah. It’s commencement. We’ve prepared you. This isn’t the race. This is the warm up. The race begins. Um, go run your race. It’s not a race. It’s a marathon. Yeah. Go run it. Yep. Yeah. At your pace.”
Tune in to learn more about Tim Saxton’s remarkable journey in education and the lessons he leaves behind as he embarks on his next chapter.
