Heather Griggs
Superintendent
Oro Grande School District
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
I had a passion teaching for economics and government. And I loved coaching cheerleading!
I returned to school to earn my MA and administrative credential.
I became a school administrator (Junior High Vice Principal), cut my admin teeth on discipline!
I took over my first high school...600 students from a nearby military base.
For the first time I became empassioned about equity and student success reguardless of background.
Returned to graduate school and earned my doctorate in Organizational Leadership.
Took over a "persistently low achieving" urban school. Built a team to turn around the school!
I wanted to build great schools for all students and went to the District Office---and here I am.
Keep following my journey
Education
Career
Superintendent
I lead a k-12 school district in Southern California.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Entrepreneurship
Upholding a Cause and Belief
Day to Day
I spend most of my day trying to make life better in the classroom for teachers and students. It means hours in budget meetings, insurance brokerage, curriculum development, human resource issues and constant negotiations with varied stakeholders. But every decision I make directly helps or hurts the education of our students. It's incredibly motivating to know that each of your decisions need to be solid ones. The ability to do great things for my students means something to me.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Become well rounded and secure in yourself. You need to have an appreciation for who you are in order to lead an organization---whether it is a school or a corporation. If you have clarified your personal values it will set you on the right path for leadership of others.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"I should not go into teaching. They said I was too smart for teaching and should go into law or economics. They said I was "wasting" my talents."
