Full Circle with Superintendent Dr. Jared A. Cotton

WEBVTT
00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:19.679
Hi everyone, welcome back to Amplified.
00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:25.920
I'm Jay Lewter here with Matt Graham and Matt, I am so excited about today's episode.
00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:30.559
We are so fortunate to have our superintendent right on the brink of retirement Dr.
00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:37.359
Jared Cotton to spend a few minutes with us and reflect on his life and legacy, which has to be public schools.
00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:43.920
It's nice to have that chance to sit down with him so that he can not just share with us but with the community about his time here.
00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:46.159
Yeah, and I can't wait for our listeners to be a part.
00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:48.640
All right, so we're gonna go ahead and start the conversation.
00:00:48.880 --> 00:00:49.759
Let's do it.
00:00:52.880 --> 00:00:53.200
Dr.
00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:55.280
Cotton, welcome to the podcast.
00:00:55.520 --> 00:00:56.719
Yeah, happy to be here.
00:00:56.719 --> 00:00:59.759
I started here this year and I get to finish this year.
00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:00.560
So that's right.
00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:02.320
Is this the last one of the school year?
00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:02.960
This is it.
00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:03.840
This is the last one.
00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:04.480
Perfect.
00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:05.359
What an honor.
00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:05.840
Yeah.
00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:08.480
Well, I mean, it's it's your podcast, basically.
00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:10.719
So I mean it's our honor.
00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:12.480
Yeah.
00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:21.359
So but before we chat and reflect about your upcoming retirement and legacy here with Chesapeake Public Schools, has the moment really set in yet?
00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:24.879
Well, it's gonna have to, right?
00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:27.280
Because the time is is growing short.
00:01:27.280 --> 00:01:32.560
So I have to tell you, right after winter break, it seems like it accelerated.
00:01:32.560 --> 00:01:34.799
So it got closer and closer and closer.
00:01:34.799 --> 00:01:39.120
And I've had a hard time thinking too much about it because there's so much to do each and every day.
00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:45.280
So it's hard to say it it's gonna be here, but it feels like it's it's fast approaching as we are.
00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:47.120
What are we almost the middle of June now?
00:01:47.120 --> 00:01:47.680
It's true.
00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:49.280
It's getting very close.
00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:58.319
So what I've been thinking a lot about is what am I gonna do that that very first day, you know, where I don't have any all the emails coming in and all the phone calls coming in.
00:01:58.319 --> 00:02:03.760
And so I've I don't have a plan yet, but I'm I'm working on it because I I know I need to be busy that day.
00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:04.879
Yeah, that's true.
00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:09.840
That first day of school, when you're not in that seat, I'm sure is going to be a little melancholy, right?
00:02:10.240 --> 00:02:14.000
Maybe enjoy a nice cup of coffee, and play some pickleball or tennis.
00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:15.199
Of course, of course.
00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:22.639
Well, that happened when I when I came to central office, you know, that first day of school felt very different because I was not in a school.
00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:25.439
But this will be even more different because I won't be anywhere.
00:02:25.439 --> 00:02:28.879
I won't have to go anywhere.
00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:31.759
But the best part is when my alarm goes off, I get to ignore it.
00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:33.439
So you guys are gonna be at work.
00:02:33.759 --> 00:02:34.080
That's right.
00:02:34.080 --> 00:02:35.680
We will, we sure will.
00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:36.080
Dr.
00:02:36.080 --> 00:02:42.080
Cotton, when you returned to Chesapeake schools in 2018, you told us about your two-word mission statement, Inspire Hope.
00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:46.000
What do you think gave you the most hope in 2018?
00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:48.479
What were you the most excited about in your return to Chesapeake?
00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:50.719
Well, I was just excited about coming home.
00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:54.319
Sometimes you can't come home, you know, but I had I I was laughing.
00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:56.879
I was telling people I left and went to other places.
00:02:56.879 --> 00:02:59.120
I lost my way, and then I found my way back home.
00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:00.879
So it was it was just nice to come back home.
00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:01.840
This is my hometown.
00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:02.960
This is where I grew up.
00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:05.360
I know you all have heard that story many times.
00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:09.599
When I got here in fifth grade, I started at Crestwood Elementary at the time.
00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:14.159
I know it's well, it's back to elementary now, but it it was different grade levels there.
00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:23.599
But I started in fifth grade at Crestwood, went all the way up through Great Bridge High School, graduated as a wildcat here in Chesapeake, and then started my career here.
00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:34.639
So the fact that I was able to come back home and give back to the community where I grew up and the community that helped support and nurture me was extremely excited.
00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:36.719
And I I didn't know I would get to come back.
00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:40.240
Yeah, when I when I left to have different experiences.
00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:42.080
And I still remember when I talked to Dr.
00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:44.319
Nichols, who was a superintendent at the time, sure.
00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:48.479
I was a director of assessment and accountability, and I said, Dr.
00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:50.319
Nick, do you think I can come back?
00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:52.240
And he said, probably not.
00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:56.000
And you gotta you gotta know Dr.
00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:00.080
Nick to know what a great mentor and guide for me.
00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:02.000
He just learning from him.
00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:02.400
Sure.
00:04:02.400 --> 00:04:05.840
Even after I left, he continued to be a mentor for me.
00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:13.599
So I really didn't know I'd get a chance to come back, but the fact that I was fortunate to come back and serve my hometown was incredible.
00:04:13.840 --> 00:04:24.319
Yeah, and looking back at 2018, is there any advice that you would give yourself today, you know, all these years later, any advice you would give your 2018 version of you?
00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:26.079
Stay strong.
00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:27.279
Stay the course.
00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:36.160
I know we'll probably get into this and into some of our conversation today, but good grief, we did not know what was coming in 2020, right?
00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:39.360
So uh so stay strong and stay resilient.
00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:45.439
Uh also stay the course because uh we we've been through a lot over the last eight years.
00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:50.639
But I also remember that my first week of school, we had the hurricane threat.
00:04:50.639 --> 00:04:52.480
I don't know if y'all remember this.
00:04:52.480 --> 00:04:58.720
Uh we had mandatory evacuations for for zone A where everybody had to leave, and a lot of our schools were in zone A.
00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:01.199
And of course, I personally lived in zone A.
00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:10.160
So we were all having to evacuate and we had to close school, and I had to announce that at a board meeting, and it was four of the most beautiful days we've ever seen.
00:05:10.160 --> 00:05:18.399
But you don't you don't know when you can't predict to get that report, and that just set the tone for what I had in store the beginning of my tenure.
00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:29.680
But but we've had, as you know, you you have ups and downs, you have times where everything's going great and times when you're challenged, and no one could have predicted what was gonna happen in spring of 2020.
00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:30.079
Yeah.
00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:35.519
So when you were coming in, you were gonna bring some initiatives with you, right?
00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:40.240
What were maybe some of those that took hold rather quickly and easy?
00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:44.399
And maybe what were some that maybe took a while to get through?
00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:52.639
Well, one of the things I've learned about leadership is you always wanna take your time with changing things too quickly.
00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:58.480
And that's why I always tell our principals when they go to new schools, sometimes you you can't go in there and change everything.
00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:03.199
You have to be very thoughtful about changes before you bring them forward.
00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:12.240
I've always told people that small changes sometimes you you need to make, but other things you need to watch and kind of learn more about as you get started.
00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:15.199
But I knew right away we needed some work in technology.
00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:25.839
When I started visiting schools, literally the students would turn around and look at me when they're on their their Chromebook because the internet was so slow and they would look at me and say, What are you gonna do about this?
00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:33.120
And and that's one of the moments where you say, Well, gosh, somebody needs to fix this, and you realize you're the somebody who needs to get it fixed.
00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:41.040
So I knew that we had a lot of work to do in technology, and it's not because we weren't trying to develop the technology or that we weren't working on it.
00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:42.079
We just didn't have the funds.
00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:49.040
We were coming out of a recession where we didn't have the resources to to update and do the things we needed to do.
00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:52.800
So I knew that was something that that needed work moving forward.
00:06:52.800 --> 00:07:00.160
I also knew I wanted to expand and grow career and technical education, which is is something that started slowly.
00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:10.079
But what I noticed is the business community really took hold of that, as well as economic development, as well as our community leaders, and we got a lot of excitement around that.
00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:16.160
So that's one area that really started moving quickly based on support in our community.
00:07:16.160 --> 00:07:19.519
And and and I'm proud of all that we've done in that area in particular.
00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:25.439
Yeah, yeah, it's grown tremendously with the college and career readiness, the CCC programs, everything.
00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:25.920
So yeah.
00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:42.000
And what's interesting is when I had my first state of the schools, which was not my favorite because uh it was not the most entertaining in my opinion, because I was doing a lot of reading and a lot of talking, and I was talking about my two children and how they took different paths.
00:07:42.000 --> 00:08:09.360
One went career in tech education, one went college, and we talked about how important career in technical education is and how the opportunities are vast, and and that we all grew up with college being uh non-negotiable, but what I've learned is going directly to work can be a great career for for a student, and and then let those employers pay for your let the employer pay for your college and and move forward.
00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:29.439
So I talked about that at my first day of the schools, and and eight years later I still have people who tell me they remember me saying that and they hadn't heard a superintendent talk about workforce and career and technical education as a viable option, but I do think that that's something that has really taken hold over the last several years.
00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:31.279
For sure, very impactful.
00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:31.839
Dr.
00:08:31.839 --> 00:08:35.679
Cotton, every superintendent faces a defining challenge.
00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:36.559
Here it comes.
00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:39.200
This is the question you were waiting for, right?
00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:42.879
So uh I think I know the answer, but I'd love to hear it from your perspective.
00:08:42.879 --> 00:08:48.720
What was your defining challenge and how did it shape you in Chesapeake Public Schools?
00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:59.360
Well, I knew we were gonna get there, but COVID, and as much as I hate to talk about it now, we really got hit that spring with something frightening at the time.
00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:02.080
We didn't know what what was going on when the schools closed.
00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:05.360
And I I still remember when the governor made the announcement that schools were closed.
00:09:05.360 --> 00:09:05.919
Sure.
00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:08.159
And it was supposed to be a two-week closure.
00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:08.480
Right.
00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:14.080
And then before that two week two weeks were up, it was announced we were closed for the rest of the school year.
00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:22.639
And we just weren't ready for that for a lot of reasons because we didn't have the one-to-one technology, not all of our families had access to internet.
00:09:22.639 --> 00:09:31.679
And so we were just scrambling to make sure our students had what they needed to continue to learn, and and not only that, basic needs.
00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:38.639
We had to make sure our students had food and resources, and we had to rally our community partners and our churches to help.
00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:46.799
So that period of time was a whirlwind, and and we had no idea what to expect or what was gonna happen next.
00:09:46.799 --> 00:09:56.799
And everyone was making decisions about how they're gonna tackle it, and then they changed their mind, and then we'd shift gears, and that's when we learned that word pivot, right?
00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:58.159
We were pivoting constantly.
00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:01.279
We did, we did, which is a word I don't like to use anymore.
00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:10.799
And then the other thing that happened was we had bus drivers and school nutrition workers, custodians, they couldn't come to work, and then they needed to get paid.
00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:15.840
And then on top of that, we lost about $10 million in funding almost overnight.
00:10:15.840 --> 00:10:21.679
So I had to figure out how do we pay our employees and and keep them on the payroll.
00:10:21.679 --> 00:10:33.519
So literally what happened was every morning, my cabinet, my leadership team, we were on at nine o'clock every morning, and I was constantly trying to figure out how we were gonna handle all these challenges.
00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:42.639
And then at the same time, I was weekly on calls with the city partners, you know, our emergency management trying to figure out how we're gonna navigate through all of that.
00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:57.039
But but I would say not only was that a defining moment for us, but the next fall where we were trying to figure out what are we gonna do, we came together with leaders across the district and we said, What is our mission?
00:10:57.039 --> 00:10:58.240
What's our core mission?
00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:01.759
We're here to educate children of our community.
00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:02.799
That's our mission.
00:11:02.799 --> 00:11:06.000
And we're off mission if we're not bringing our kids back to school.
00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:06.320
Sure.
00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:16.080
And I always tell people that we we brought back our most vulnerable, our youngest learners, our students with special needs, our our preschool students, our English language learners.
00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:19.039
We started bringing them back first and we brought them back in waves.
00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:31.200
I mean, it was difficult because we had masks and shields, and we we couldn't hardly hear each other, but we we knew that we had to bring our students back to school, and we brought our teachers back to school.
00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:38.720
And even though they were teaching virtually, they were teaching it from their classroom because we knew if the teachers didn't come back, the students would never come back.
00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:39.200
Right.
00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:51.759
So we made some tough decisions that weren't popular during that time, and and I finally got to the point where if 50% of the people were okay with what we were doing, we were probably doing pretty good.
00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:55.120
But it seemed to be 50% were against us, 50% were for us.
00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:57.840
And of course, you remember that time the board meetings were very long.
00:11:57.840 --> 00:12:20.159
Oh, yes, they were with lots of feedback, but but in the end, I would say it really showed our resilience from our leaders, from our staff, from our students, because the way that we were able to navigate through that, and I think it put us in a better place, but it really set us apart in that we were leading on purpose.
00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:23.519
And that's what I'm really proud of when I when I look back.
00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:26.159
I'm also glad it's over for sure.
00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:32.159
But I also learned that I'm much more resilient than I thought I was, and Jay, you were a principal then.
00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:35.360
So Yeah, and I'm I'm so glad that you you mentioned that, Dr.
00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:42.000
Cotton, because I think during that time we established the phrase, what is it, you know, uh building the plane while it's in the air.
00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:42.559
Right?
00:12:42.559 --> 00:12:46.559
That was a big sort of another expression, just like pivot was a big expression during that time.
00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:46.960
But Dr.
00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:58.080
Cotton, as a it gives me an opportunity to give you some praise because I really feel like as a principal during those days, I feel like our return to school was very strategic and very intentional.
00:12:58.080 --> 00:13:09.759
And I think that school leaders and teachers and our community saw that and felt that and appreciated the the thoughtful return to school that you and the team put together during that time.
00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:10.159
Yeah.
00:13:10.159 --> 00:13:14.240
And I appreciate our uh, you know, our health director, Nancy Welch.
00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:14.720
Uh, Dr.
00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:20.960
Welch was an amazing partner during that time as well because we partnered and really worked together.
00:13:20.960 --> 00:13:25.279
I remember going to visit schools with her to measure how far apart the desks were.
00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:29.600
I still have tape measures in my desk drawer for just that reason in the classroom.
00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:31.840
And I said, I need to bring them back, I need to bring them back.
00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:33.279
Can can what if we did this?
00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:34.159
What if we do that?
00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:42.000
And and the fact that we have partners who are open with the mindset we need to bring our students back, not we need to shut everything down.
00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.279
We need to get back.
00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:48.639
And and having partners who have that same philosophy really paid off.
00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:51.919
And I could go on and on about, I mean, those phone calls.
00:13:51.919 --> 00:14:08.799
They still tease me about the phone calls because we would we would get on the calls with the city and I would start telling them some of the challenges I'm dealing with, and and they they would all say, after listening to me, they all felt better because they weren't dealing with anywhere near what I was dealing with.
00:14:08.799 --> 00:14:09.200
Wow.
00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:11.360
But it would, but you know, and you were a teacher then.
00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:11.759
Oh yeah.
00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:13.679
You were at Great Bridge Middle School, Matt.
00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:17.279
And you were, I remember you that's when you started your podcast over there.
00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:17.600
Yeah.
00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:19.360
So I know you were you were working on the city.
00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.399
We were in the thick of it.
00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:28.000
I mean, and we were literally doing one of your the piloting of going one-to-one where you were talking about your initiatives, and we were on that track.
00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:32.159
And the day that we were piloting one-to-one, the next day we shut down.
00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:34.559
I was like, oh, what we did all this work and we're out.
00:14:34.799 --> 00:14:45.919
It's funny you mentioned that because I was trying to implement one-to-one technology, and I was taking early adopters schools, and Great Bridge Middle was a school that was ready to move forward.
00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:50.639
And we we had a five-year plan, and I always say it turned into a three-month plan.
00:14:50.639 --> 00:14:51.200
Yeah.
00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:52.480
We really did.
00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:54.320
We became one-to-one overnight on Facebook.
00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.600
We became overnight.
00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:57.919
We became one-to-one in in but three months.
00:14:57.919 --> 00:15:01.840
But anyway, uh, but yeah, I would say that you probably knew we were going to go there.
00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:06.159
That was probably a defining moment, not just for me, but for our our school district.
00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:06.399
Yeah.
00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:06.879
Sure.
00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:07.200
Yeah.
00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:07.919
Well, Dr.
00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:10.399
Cotton, that is definitely a defining moment.
00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:14.720
I believe we can all agree on that, but we're going to change it up here a little bit.
00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:18.000
We're going to bring back some positive vibes here in the studio.
00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:28.240
I want to know, is there a moment or two that when you're looking back at your time here with Chesapeake that makes you smile, that makes you laugh or even a chuckle here or there?
00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:59.039
Well, there's so many funny things that have happened over the years, but I have to tell you that the thing that makes me smile is last June I had the opportunity to speak at Crestwood Intermediate for their last fifth grade class that was moving up to well, moving up to middle school, but also the last class to graduate or move on from the old Crestwood Intermediate, because the next year they're moving into their brand new one.
00:15:59.039 --> 00:16:03.919
So they invited me to be their keynote speaker at their moving up ceremony.
00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:05.519
I keep calling it a moving up ceremony.
00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:09.360
It's not a graduation really, but it's a moving up ceremony, which is what they call it.
00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:12.799
So just a full circle moment for me.
00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:16.559
I mean, I was a student there in uh fifth and sixth grade.
00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:18.720
I was a teacher there in fifth grade.
00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:24.240
So literally I had my fifth graders in that very same auditorium in that program.
00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:31.200
And and of course, what makes me chuckle, I guess you'd say, is the number of performances that we did for the students.
00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:36.639
I remember one year I was Elvis, which I hope I hope we never hope we never find those pictures.
00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.279
Oh, we're gonna be able to do that.
00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:40.080
Oh, we're gonna hunt that down.
00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:47.519
And so we did silly things for kids because you just really wanted to show them how much you cared about them.
00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:56.159
And it's so funny when I see students now, they remind me of those things when I was Elvis, and then one time I remember I was we were dancing up there doing doing something.
00:16:56.159 --> 00:17:03.120
But then also having the chance just to come back after teaching there and being a student there.
00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:07.039
And then they've invited me back this year in the brand new school.
00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:15.680
They've asked me if I want the honor to speak to the fifth grade class that's the first class in the brand new Crestwood Elementary.
00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:26.319
So that that makes me smile just thinking how interesting life is because I know I've told you the story that my first teaching assignment was in the same classroom where I was a fifth grade student.
00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:26.640
Right.
00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:26.960
Yeah.
00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:29.839
So it was a full circle moment for me.
00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:35.039
And one of my colleagues is still teaching there, and she's been there for 30 plus years.
00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:39.359
So she remembers all the silly things that we did for kids.
00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:41.279
But that that does make me smile when I think about it.
00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.880
Well, speaking of silly things, Dr.
00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:46.400
Cotton, we're gonna ask for some secret knowledge now, okay?
00:17:46.400 --> 00:17:54.720
Is there a secret perk of the job of being the superintendent for Chesapeake Public Schools that you're going to miss that people might not know about?
00:17:56.160 --> 00:18:02.799
Well, when I was a principal, I used to say that you get you get a parking space and you can use the copy machine whenever you want.
00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.519
So there you go.
00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.319
Very nice.
00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.519
So those are two things.
00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:09.039
But as a superintendent, I I rarely use the copy machine these days.
00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:12.480
And and you all know I I don't carry a lot of paper around with me.
00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:16.559
I like to have everything digital, but but I'd still have a c a parking space.
00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:24.079
And and I have to admit that when I first came back as superintendent, I didn't have a designated parking space in the old building.
00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:32.000
They the superintendent used to park in the in the back alley, which in the back alley of the of the quick exit some days.
00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:38.400
Is that what that was for of the the old building, but uh then they realized that it probably wasn't a good idea because you get stuck back there.
00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:42.640
But what I learned very quickly is I like to visit schools quite a bit.
00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:47.680
And with the parking situation in our old building, I never had a place to park when I came back.
00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:50.559
So I finally said, look, I need a parking space in the in the back.
00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:55.200
So it it's always nice to have a parking space, and and I have one here, which is good.
00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:57.279
So I guess that that's a that's a perk.
00:18:57.279 --> 00:19:07.680
And in this building in particular, I guess a perk would be I get to be the taste tester for all the food the students there you go cook and the great perk and they do a great job, too.
00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:11.519
Because I feel like it's you know, making sure that quality control.
00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:15.920
Nothing goes out unless Dr.
00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:17.200
Cotton likes it.
00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:21.200
Yeah, but along that same side, but maybe a little bit of seriousness.
00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:24.240
What's something that you you're gonna miss the most?
00:19:24.240 --> 00:19:27.519
But what's something that you know you won't miss?
00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:31.440
Well, well, I'm gonna miss the people, and of course the students.
00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:42.079
I've talked to a lot of my colleagues who've retired and and they will tell me they don't always miss some of the day-to-day work, but they really miss the people and the team.
00:19:42.079 --> 00:19:42.480
Yeah.
00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:47.599
I've I have an incredible leadership team and I have incredible staff, like the two of you.
00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:48.079
Thank you.
00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.839
I'll say that since you're sitting here.
00:19:49.839 --> 00:19:51.279
Appreciate it.
00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:55.680
But I've but I've really enjoyed building those relationships and and working together.
00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:59.680
And but I also really enjoy being around the students.
00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:06.400
And I have to tell you that whenever I have a rough day, my my secretary will say, We need to get some school visits in for you.
00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:12.559
And I'll go visit schools and I'll go read because I get invited to read in schools and and go to schools to visit.
00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:23.519
And whenever I can, I always go, you know, and I sometimes people say, Why do you you don't have to say yes to all of those, but I I do because I I love to be in schools, and that's why we we got into this business.
00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:33.119
So I'll I'll miss all of those things, but the things I won't miss, I won't miss the weather calls, you know, the uh the early mornings with uh the closures.
00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:35.920
I won't I won't miss getting up at 4 a.m.
00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:46.160
and and staying up late and and constantly checking the roads and checking the apps and and worrying about weather and and stressing over making the right decision.
00:20:46.160 --> 00:21:05.200
That's probably that's probably what I'm looking forward to enjoying snow again because I I have to admit I have not enjoyed snow for the last 15 years as a superintendent, but I I am looking forward to building a snowman and enjoying stuff and let someone else worry about a snow day.
00:21:05.599 --> 00:21:12.319
So all your time at at TCC and the George Washington University and ODU, there was never a meteorology class.
00:21:12.319 --> 00:21:14.000
Is that what you're telling us?
00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:16.000
Uh no, no, no, no.
00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:21.440
Actually, it it's funny because I I originally was studying oceanography and marine biology.
00:21:21.440 --> 00:21:28.319
Um but that's why one of the reasons why I loved going into teaching because I felt like I could I could learn about everything and and teach about everything.
00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:31.279
When I taught fifth grade, you know, you were an elementary teacher.
00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.960
You I got to teach about everything.
00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:36.799
Because I couldn't narrow down what I was most interested in.
00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.640
I was interested in so many different things.
00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:43.839
But yeah, unfortunately, weather calls are never as accurate as you would like them to be.
00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:45.519
It's certainly something you'll never miss.
00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:47.200
And we always get blamed.
00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:53.279
So regardless of what decision you make, it there's always a group that doesn't agree with it and they tell you about it.
00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:59.680
But you but you just have to make the best decision you can with the information you have, and that's what I that's what I tell people.
00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:00.720
Right, right.
00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:09.119
Now, at the recent retirement ceremony, and actually at every retirement ceremony that you've been a part of, you always say this line.
00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:19.920
If in a few months or even a few years you realize that retirement just isn't right for you, that will always welcome you back.
00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.039
So, Dr.
00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:26.559
Cotton, what's your thoughts on that statement now that you now that you're here with us?
00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:28.799
That hit a little different this year for sure.
00:22:28.799 --> 00:22:32.720
They were funny when I was working on my comments for the retirement ceremony.
00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:34.160
They said, Do you want to say this again?
00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:34.880
That's right.
00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:42.240
But but I have to tell you, certainly I don't plan to come back in any any way or shape or form.
00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:48.880
But so many of our retirees, they do come back and work part-time or or provide assistance.
00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:55.839
And just to tell you a funny story, and I don't know if you guys realize this, but at my retirement celebration, my sixth grade teacher showed up.
00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.720
I had no idea.
00:22:57.279 --> 00:23:03.599
My sixth grade teacher from Crestwood Elementary, Jeanette Shuler, showed up to wish me congratulations.
00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:10.319
And I also have to tell you, when I came back to Chesapeake, she was at Inny River High School when she retired.
00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:12.559
She retired from Innu River High School drama.
00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:16.799
She actually taught Jay Farrow was in her class at Innu River High.
00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:23.839
So she came up behind me and calling my name and I said, and I right away recognized her voice and and I realized it.
00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:39.759
But but the reason I share that story is not only was that incredible that that she was there, and then she even sent me a follow-up card, but she retired a few years ago, and she called me a couple months later and she said, I need to get back to work.
00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:41.759
Do you have a job for me for me?
00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:43.359
And I said, I'm so glad you called.
00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:46.720
I said, We always need good people to sub.
00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:50.240
And when I saw her the other night, she told me she's still subbing for us.
00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.799
Wow.
00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:51.759
So that's great.
00:23:51.759 --> 00:24:02.960
So there, there, and we have so many stories of amazing people who've retired, and there's a part-time opportunity or a chance for them to come back and help in a in a certain way.
00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:06.079
And we love to bring them back on a part-time schedule.
00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:12.880
And whether they're coaching new principals or coaching new leaders, we have some of that happening, or if they're being working as a substitute.
00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:14.640
We also have teachers who come back.
00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:21.519
And now with the teacher shortage, the way that it is, they can come back and get a full salary plus their retirement benefits.
00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.759
So there are some great perks to that.
00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:28.240
So that's why I always do the advertisement to make sure we'll welcome them back.
00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:36.319
And when we have some who come back because they like to be a part of Chesapeake Public Schools, and it's hard to it's hard to walk away from that.
00:24:36.319 --> 00:24:39.920
I think the new superintendent would have a problem with me coming back.
00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:48.240
So I think I need to keep my but I'm gonna I'm gonna enjoy watching from afar, is what I'm looking forward to.
00:24:48.640 --> 00:24:53.839
I think that teaching is a is a career that becomes part of your identity, right?
00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:58.559
It's something that's you know, it's in your heart, and it's it's hard to it's hard to let it go.
00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.839
And and speaking of that, Dr.
00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:04.400
Cotton, retirement gives us a chance to think about legacy, doesn't it?
00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:07.519
That's a big word, it's a powerful word, but it's important.
00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:13.519
What do you think you'll be most proud of leaving behind uh from your time in Chesapeake Schools?
00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:25.519
Well, there's so many things I think that and and again they get attached to me and it and I've told the leaders all the time, I say it's it I get all the attention, but I'm not doing all the work.
00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:30.799
So the people who are doing the work are still here doing the work when long after I'm gone.
00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:41.279
So I I do like to make sure I remind people that, you know, with all the accolades and and wonderful things that have happened over the last few months, which I very much appreciated.
00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:45.599
I I it's important to remind everyone that the people doing the work are still here.
00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.799
They're not going anywhere.
00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:56.880
But I think that we've done such great work with student-centered learning, focusing on creating opportunities for students, especially through career and technical education.
00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:04.079
I think that I spent the last eight years pushing for a new building for the career and technical education program.
00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:08.160
And we have our career academies of Chesapeake that we've been really working on.
00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:13.039
And the good news is we have a plan, we have funding secured, it's gonna move forward.
00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:21.920
Unfortunately, it will happen after my my departure, but it has taken the full period of time that I've been here to get to this point.
00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:45.119
So I think that I hope that that's that that will be a part of my legacy, if you will, that that we expanded opportunities for our students, not just in career and technical education, we've also moved forward with lots of other pathways for students because what we we need to understand is not every student fits in a certain mold when it comes to uh schooling.
00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:52.799
For example, the CVA program, the virtual academy that we put in place, some of the academy programs that we've enhanced.
00:26:52.799 --> 00:26:59.519
We have a new academy program that's moving forward for Indian River High School that we're working on, entrepreneurship.
00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:05.279
I'm so proud of the lab school slash academy at Oscar's Oscar Smith Middle School.
00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:07.920
That was something that we've been really working on for a long time.
00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:20.640
So I hope that my legacy is just creating opportunities and pathways for students to explore different career opportunities, trades, or other passions that they that they want to pursue.
00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.839
Yeah, and I'm sure it will.
00:27:21.839 --> 00:27:22.319
I'm sure it's not true.
00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:25.680
And and I want to also tell this to you as well as an employee.
00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:32.720
I mean, we were talking about this school and the students, but there's also our employees, and you've done a lot in your time to help support us.
00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:40.160
I mean, the amount of benefits and things that we have now today is much more than what it w was when I was first hired.
00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:50.480
So there's a lot of support systems that are in place for our employees through your time here that has been very nice to be a part of and know that we're being felt valued.
00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.759
Well, that that means a lot.
00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.799
And I appreciate that.
00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:57.359
We we have done some raises over the years that I'm proud of.
00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:59.359
And not just for one group.
00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:12.319
It's been for many different groups that we've tried to address and and and that warms my heart when I go visit a school and a custodian comes up to me and says, Thank you for all you've done for our salaries and benefits.
00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:15.920
And I've had nurses come up to me and and thank me and thank me.
00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:22.480
And and you forget that when you're running such a large organization like this, and we're a family, we talk about that all the time.
00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:32.720
Which I'm so proud of that we're a large organization, but we still have a family feel and we care about each other and we demonstrate that every every day.
00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:46.960
But when I have people come up to me and thank me and notice that I've done something to make their life better or to make them proud to be a part of this great school division, that warms my heart and it and it and it comes out of nowhere.
00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:51.599
And that's what I appreciate the most about it is they have no reason to tell me that.
00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:53.119
You know, I'm leaving.
00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:54.960
I'm leaving, you know, they I'm leaving.
00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:56.079
They don't have to butter me up.
00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:58.799
I'm I'm not gonna be here much longer.
00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:00.000
But that means a lot.
00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:02.480
And just like now, I mean, I mean, what do you have to say?
00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:04.720
You know, I'm I'm gone in what a few weeks.
00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:07.039
You don't have to have to deal with me anymore.
00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.079
I know, I know.
00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:14.400
But that no, seriously, that's been I I do feel like it's grown in that area tremendously as an employee.
00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:16.000
So I mean, thank you for all that.
00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:22.240
But I also say that I always tell people my superpower is hiring good people and letting them do their job.
00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:24.720
So and I would say that about both of you.
00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:26.240
Hey, well, thank you for that.
00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:30.559
I take credit for both of you and and you're doing great work.
00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:32.960
So keep keep doing the great work after I'm gone.
00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:33.759
Thanks, Dr.
00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.240
Cotton.
00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:37.440
We will, we will, we'll help continue that legacy and keep moving it forward.
00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.759
Yeah.
00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:40.559
Matt's gonna finish us up with one important question.
00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:43.440
Probably the most important question of all.
00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:43.839
Okay.
00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:49.119
So if you have one final message to the community, what would that message be?
00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:56.640
Well, I would say just support the schools, continue to support the great work happening each and every day in our schools.
00:29:56.640 --> 00:30:12.720
One of the things that I've always known about Chesapeake and why Chesapeake has always felt like home to me is that when I came back, there were things that we needed to work on, like I mentioned earlier, the technology, we have facilities challenges, we have lots of issues that we're dealing with.
00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:23.519
But everyone who talks about Chesapeake public schools, and again, long before my time here, they've always said the school district is amazing, it's incredible.
00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:27.279
We want to be a we want to live in Chesapeake because of the schools.
00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:33.039
And it's not because of the technology, it's not because of the buildings, it's not because of facilities, it's because of the people.
00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:40.799
It's because of the people who work each and every day serving students and families because they love the work.
00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:45.440
It's in their DNA, as you said earlier, and it's so important to them.
00:30:45.440 --> 00:31:06.480
So I would say just continue to partner with the schools, support the schools, because I have to tell you, the people who work here each and every day are here because they care and they want to make a difference, and you can take away all that other stuff, all the shiny resources and technology and Chromebooks and whatever fill in the blank.
00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:08.559
But what it comes down to is the people.
00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:12.000
And we've got such great people who work every day in Chesapeake.
00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:15.680
So I would just say support our schools or supporting our community.
00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:17.119
That would be what I want to say.
00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:20.640
And and like I said, I'm looking forward to seeing where we go next.
00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.279
Fantastic.
00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:21.599
Dr.
00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:31.440
Cutton, congratulations on your upcoming retirement, and thank you for finding some time to sit down with us for just a few minutes during this really, really busy season.
00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:39.039
It's so special to us to be able to chat with you and for our listeners to be able to hear a little bit about your time in Chesapeake schools.
00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.839
It's been a real pleasure.
00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:43.519
Thank you all, and I hope this is your most popular episode.
00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:45.680
It will be.
00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:47.119
So thank you so much for having us.
00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:49.680
Everyone will see you next time on Amplify.
00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:58.079
We hope you enjoy the stories behind our story on this episode of Amplify, the Chesapeake Public Schools podcast.
00:31:58.079 --> 00:32:02.480
Connect with us at cpschools.com forward slash Amplified.
00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:07.279
And be sure to subscribe or follow us wherever you get your podcast.