District 13 curriculum chief to retire

For nearly six years, Linda Roth has been instrumental in shaping the minds of some of Valley Stream’s youngest learners. As District 13’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, she has been charged with developing the best educational program for students, and inspiring teachers to deliver that instruction.

Roth will be saying goodbye to her colleagues this week, as she is retiring from a career that spanned nearly 40 years in two very far apart states. The Brooklyn native and Far Rockaway High School graduate got her first job teaching special education in the Long Beach School District. After 19 years, she and her husband moved to Texas so he could join his family’s sheepskin tannery business. Roth, meanwhile, taught third and fourth grade in the southern state for 11 years.

They missed New York, and eventually moved back to Long Island. Roth spent four years with the Hewlett-Woodmere School District as an assistant principal at Ogden Elementary School and later as the director of curriculum and assessment. When the assistant superintendent job opened up in District 13 in late 2006, Roth said it sounded like the perfect fit. And it was. “I think this is such a fine, outstanding district,” she said, “and for many reasons. I see so much enthusiasm in Valley Stream 13.”

Roth said her entire career has been spent in nothing but outstanding school districts. There hasn’t been a job she would give up for anything else. “I loved every step,” she said. “Every experience that I have had has always been so meaningful in so many ways. I think they added to the tapestry of who I am.”

In District 13, Roth said she enjoyed that she was able to focus exclusively on elementary education, which is where the foundation is set for life-long learning.

During her time in Valley Stream, she has overseen the implementation of new math and science programs. The English language arts curriculum has also been unified across the district.

Her proudest accomplishment is the creation of teacher focus groups. For each of the major subject areas, one teacher from each grade level at each school is chosen as the “point person.” Their job is relay curriculum information to their fellow teachers, as well as bringing questions, concerns and ideas from other teachers to district leadership.

Roth said that this ensures that every teachers’ voice is heard and connects educators from the four elementary schools while making meetings manageable. It also encourages faculty members to take on leadership roles.

When major curriculum changes take place, Roth said it is important that teachers have a say. After all, she said, they are the ones implementing the programs in the classrooms. That is why she can’t take sole credit for any of the progress the district has made. “I’ve learned that accomplishments are created by ‘we,’ and not ‘I,’” she said.

The use of student performance data is one of the keys to success in District 13, Roth explained. This data, derived from state and district tests, allows teachers and administrators to see where students might be struggling so they can create an instructional plan to meet each child’s needs.

Roth said that she believes in early intervention, and the literacy skills of kindergarten students are evaluated within their first week of school.

She also believes that learning never stops, and that goes for teachers, as well. Roth is a strong proponent of professional development, and encourages faculty members to take workshops and classes that will make them better educators. From her computer, she can approve teacher requests for training.

A typical week for Roth includes reviewing data, observing teachers, visiting classrooms and meeting with her focus groups. “I spend a lot of time with teachers,” she said.

The biggest reward in her job, she said, has always been to see students excited about learning.

A new chapter in life

Roth’s last day on the job is this Friday, and then she will be moving upstate to Chatham, where her husband and two golden retrievers await her arrival at their new home. She said she wants to remain in education somehow, and may even contemplate running for a Board of Education seat in the future.

She also plans to visit Norway and Ireland, the home of her mother and father, respectively. Additionally, she plans to get involved with the Humane Society and do a lot of reading.

Roth said she plans to stay in touch with many of her colleagues from the past six years. Her philosophy has always been about building strong relationships with other people. “I’m going to miss everybody,” she said, from the Board of Education, to her fellow administrators to the teachers and secretaries.

District 13 is lucky to have a supportive school board, Roth said, and she is pleased to have worked under two fine superintendents, Dr. Elizabeth Lison and most recently Dr. Adrienne Robb-Fund.

Robb-Fund has known Roth for years, even before they worked together in District 13 as they served on literacy committees together. The superintendent praised Roth’s dedication to the district, to teachers and to children. “She’s proactive and is always there making sure that our skills as teachers and administrators are sharp,” Robb-Fund said. “She’s a curriculum expert who continually updates her knowledge as trends and mandates change.”

Board President Frank Chiachiere said Roth’s work will live on in the district long after she is gone. He explained that her greatest skills are her ability to get the most out of teachers, and to get students passionate about learning.

Roth, who has three children and one grandchild, said that while retirement will give her time to explore other interests, it will be tough to put away such a big part of her life. “I live this,” she said. “I’m passionate about this career. I have loved every minute. I refer to it as a joyful journey.”