The new super
Incoming Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent John Q. Porter will begin his duties July 1.
I caught up with Porter on his cell phone while he was attending an education conference.
He has been busy since he was introduced in April as the district’s next superintendent. Porter probably has tallied some decent frequent flier miles commuting between the Washington, D.C., area and the middle of the country. He even has attended at least one school board meeting.
Lawyer Porter previously was a deputy superintendent for the 140,000-student school system of Montgomery County, Md.
Interestingly, Porter graces the cover of the inaugural issue of Education Week’s Digital Directions magazine. This isn’t the first time he has been on the cover of an education-related magazine.
Digital Directions conducts a Q&A with Porter. He describes how fellow information officers at school districts have contacted him for advice on how to ascend to the top job. Porter also explains how he expected to return to private industry when he ended his stint with Montgomery but fell in love with education.
“But over time … I became hooked and developed a great passion for education. I felt I had something to give back, and when I was promoted to deputy [superintendent], it gave me the opportunity to really see the breadth of what it meant to be overseeing a school district,” he told the magazine.
Best of luck to the new super, who seems ready to hit the ground running. Keep an eye on The Oklahoman for a profile of Porter.
Meanwhile, check out the OKCPS press release announcing his selection.
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