Positive changes at VUSD: Vodicka and the iPad

My wife just finished entering grades for her third grade class with the district issued iPad. She was thrilled with how fast and easy it was this time compared to the last year when the only option for entering grades was a computer. This year instead of having to laboriously type everything in, she was able with the iPad to enter using quick touch screen movements. Using the stylist is even faster. She recommends every teacher give it a try.

Besides the iPad another thing that is less stressful for teachers this year is the leadership of the new school superintendent. Dr. Devin Vodicka has changed the tenor at the district office. Teachers are no longer despised as impediments. He is not letting Matt Doyle run rough shod over the teachers the way that Joyce Bales adversarial approach apparently encouraged. Jeanie Luckey's attitude has changed as well. She seems to be quite capable of being a good chameleon. Under Joyce Bales she was dismissive in her contacts with classroom teachers. Now she seems to like teaches again. She has taken in Vodicka's "new view" of teachers as collegues to be trusted and helped instead of the former district office view of teachers as enemies to be crushed.

Congrats to all who had a hand in bringing in Dr. Vodicka and his technological innovations like the iPad to our district. He seems to be an examplary superintendent in the mold of Dr. David Cowles and Dr. Rene Townsend. I am so glad to see Vista Unified with a good, strong and fair leader again.