More than 200 Participate in Superintendent's Book Club

December 2, 2011

Superintendent of Schools Joshua P. Starr was joined by more than 200 people in person and by remote for his first Superintendent’s Book Club on Tuesday (November 29, 2011).

The 90-minute event was centered on the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol Dweck, who joined the discussion for the first hour via Skype from her office at Stanford University. The conversation focused on how the “growth mindset” can be applied to education and, specifically, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) classrooms (to learn more about Mindset visit http://mindsetonline.com/).

Eighty-five people joined the conversation in person in the auditorium of the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville, while more than 130 people viewed the event online. The Book Club was also broadcast on MCPS TV. Questions and comments came from people in the audience and via email and Twitter from those watching on TV or online.

“I was very impressed by the thoughtful questions asked by everyone who participated,” Dr. Starr said. “This is just further proof that MCPS has highly engaged parents and staff who deeply care about how the quality of teaching and learning in our schools.”

“I want to thank Dr. Dweck for taking the time to join us and share her insights on how a growth mindset can help all students and all people succeed,” Dr. Starr said.

Dr. Starr was also joined by a panel that included Karen Scharff, a staff development teacher from Rocky Hill Middle School; Peggy Sorensen, a parent with children in MCPS; and Monique Felder, the director of the district’s Division of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction.

The video of the event is available on the MCPS website at www.mcpsbookclub.org.

This was the first of three Superintendent’s Book Club events that will be held this school year. The Book Clubs are part of Dr. Starr’s effort to engage staff, students, parents and community members during the first year of his tenure, which began on July 1. Dr. Starr has also held 17 Listen and Learn events with community members and employees, two student town halls, many meetings with community organizations and leaders, and has conducted visits to more than 50 schools.

The next Book Club will be held January 31, 2012 and Dr. Starr has chosen the book Drive by Daniel H. Pink. Learn more about the book at http://www.danpink.com/drive. For more information on the Book Clubs, visit www.mcpsbookclub.org.

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