Celi Haga introduced Dr. Erin Rathke, Superintendent of School District 112, who last spoke with us in July 2024. She shared an initiative –“ Portrait of a Graduate” – that will provide “a framework that outlines the key skills, competencies and attributes a school or district believes students should develop by the time they graduate.”

When complete, this work “has the potential to enhance student readiness for college, careers, and life, particularly as ‘human skills’ become increasingly critical in an era shaped by AI and automation.” In keeping with the mission, core values and strategic directions that guide the superintendent and district educators, Dr. Rathke is collecting feedback from students, staff, parents, community members and business to define those skills.  We were able to participate in a Thought Exchange with smart phones. A QR code provided the key to enter the input process. We were also able to rate the relative importance of attributes given by others.

Dr. Rathke encouraged us to thank the district’s educators whenever we get the opportunity.

In her Q + A minutes, Dr. Rathke discussed the Science of Reading initiative, voter referendums, and the difference between temporarily fully-funded and actual costs.  She believes the present bubble of enrollment will dissipate and therefore an additional high school is not needed.

Contact Information:  952-556-6110 or email RathkeE@District112.org