The Tecumseh Local School District (TLSD) recently announced the district’s current Assistant Superintendent, Paula Crew, will be moving into the position of District Superintendent in August before the 2018-2019 school year. The current Superintendent, Norm Glismann, will be retiring at the end of the current school year

Paula Crew is a life-long resident of the greater New Carlisle area, an alumna of Northwestern High School, and a 6-year veteran of the U.S. Army. Crew’s family currently lives in the TLSD. She has been married to her husband, Joe, for nearly 30 years; and their daughter, Olivia, is a sophomore at Tecumseh High School.

Crew has worked in the TLSD for 15 years. She says her parents taught her “the importance of hard work, integrity, and giving it your all.” This attitude is reflected in how Crew goes beyond her many administrative duties as Asst. Superintendent, to enthusiastically volunteer with several local community and student organizations.

Crew serves on the New Carlisle Library’s Board of Trustees and is a member of the Tecumseh Education Foundation. She also serves as a Rotarian and coaches Tecumseh students who participate in the Rotary’s annual speech contest. As a member of New Carlisle’s Optimist Club, Crew helped establish Tecumseh’s new Jr. Optimist Club and serves as its co-advisor. She also routinely works with New Carlisle’s Family and Youth Initiatives (FYI) with a mentoring program for Tecumseh students.

“It’s rewarding to serve as a member, and work with, these organizations. Each is filled with individuals who all have the same goal...to make an impact in our community and for our students,” comments Crew.

Arrow families and fans frequently see Crew cheering and offering support at many district functions. She explains why she believes it is important for administrators to participate in the everyday life of the school district:

“It’s important to be actively involved with the student body whenever possible. This provides an opportunity to really know what is going on in the district, and have a pulse on the needs of the students, staff, and community. (...) Immersing oneself in the school and community’s activities and events shows you are not afraid to roll up your sleeves and jump in to help when needed--that you won’t ask anyone to do something you’re not willing to do yourself.”

There are several reasons Crew says she felt compelled to apply for Tecumseh’s District Superintendent position.

“During my career, I have enjoyed being a teacher, an assistant principal, a director, and an assistant superintendent. Every time I’ve taken on a new role, my purpose was to have an impact on a greater number of students. The appointment of superintendent will allow me more latitude and opportunity to serve as a change agent for the district and community. It will also give me the chance to continue the work in a school district I hold very dear to my heart. The Tecumseh Local School District has an ‘In-it-together’ family-oriented mentality I admire and respect.

Using Tecumseh Schools’ philosophy, “Learning for All, Whatever it Takes,” as a guide, TLSD’s future superintendent says her goal is to work with stakeholders to bring an “increasingly transparent and supportive climate and environment” to the district. Crew also comments on why prioritizing improved communication with both the district’s internal and external community is imperative.

“The work of our District Leadership Team will continue as we further develop strategies to meet the needs of our students,” explains Crew, “The involvement of internal and external stakeholders as we develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the district’s needs is (necessary). We need to continue and expand upon opportunities for our community and district to work together to meet the needs of all students.”

Crew is thankful for the opportunity to be TLSD’s new superintendent. She says she is “not naïve,” however, and knows there will be daunting challenges ahead as she steps into her new role. But Crew also comments she is confident that by working with others, those barriers can be successfully overcome.

“The overwhelming number of federal and state regulations and unfunded mandates put upon Ohio School Districts, as well as the “moving targets” of school district expectations are real issues. We have a lot of work ahead of us to meet the ever-changing student achievement expectations. (...) But Tecumseh has an active Board of Education, excellent educators, support staff, and administrators. We also have a supportive and actively engaged community...Regardless of future challenges, I am confident that, together, we will face them head-on as we embark on a journey to continue offering a solid educational foundation for our students.”