Dr. Marshall's Remarks to the IMSA Community
May 12, 2006
To My Colleagues:
I have asked us to come together briefly this morning, to tell you personally that I have decided to retire as IMSA’s President on June 30, 2007 – a little over a year from now.
My decision was made public yesterday, after the Board Meeting, and I did not want you to either read it in the newspaper or hear it from anyone but me.
We know, however, that news travels fast, so this may not have been possible. But I hope most of you are hearing it for the first time.
I wanted to tell you myself, eye-to-eye and heart-to-heart.
I believe you know that I have loved IMSA and our work over the last 20 years, and, of course, I still do.
The IMSA idea – holistically nurturing “decidedly different minds” in math, science, technology, the arts and humanities, has become a part of who I am… and the natural cycle of life tells us that there is a time for everything.
From an institutional perspective, I believe the timing is right for IMSA for a transition. Our 20th Anniversary is a time to re-imagine our future and re-commit to creating and living into a bold vision for our next generation.
Because of you, IMSA has achieved enormous success in the last 20 years, and our next generation can now move us from great success to great significance, truly transforming teaching and learning in mathematics and science in Illinois and well beyond.
From a personal perspective, I’ve always believed that wise leaders must know when it is time to leave.
It is clear to me that my 40 years in education, including these remarkable 20 years at IMSA, have given me the breadth and depth of knowledge, insight and perspective, that now drive and compel me to try to impact education and educational policy at the highest levels – both nationally and internationally.
My work now calls me to engage in the conversation and work we have been in together, more directly, more intensely, more broadly, and more courageously.
I will, of course, continue to dedicate myself to IMSA and to you over the next year as we both celebrate our 20th Anniversary and re-imagine our next generation through our new Strategic Planning process.
We are now living within a unique confluence of events and a rare moment for IMSA and it will call each of us and all of us to bring the best of who we are – the goodness and genius that resides within us to shape IMSA’s future.
The Greeks call this time, KAIROS – the “right moment.” It is a time of awakening. It is a time of radical changes in perceptions, imagery and stories. It is a time when reality embraces possibility. I believe we and I are in such a moment.
The Board will hire a search firm to conduct a national search for IMSA’s next President and will design a process that seeks and includes broad-based input. The decision, of course, will be the Board’s.
The Board’s statement and our press release will be posted on our website today.
The projected timeline is to begin the search in the fall and appoint a new President in the spring, with a start date of July 1, 2007.
The Board, the Fund Board, and I are also discussing ways in which I can continue to serve IMSA going forward.
I am deeply grateful for the privilege of serving as your President and I celebrate the gifts that each of you brings to IMSA.
I look forward to our work together next year, to our 20th Anniversary, and to our imaginative re-envisioning of IMSA’s next generation.
My work next year will focus on three primary commitments -- doing everything I can to: Build IMSA’s capacity, position us for an extraordinary future, and create conditions that enable you to courageously recognize and claim your own voice and astonishing capacities to create a remarkable future for IMSA.
I want to close by saying one more thing…
To the external world, I represent IMSA’s greatness. I represent your greatness. But, I am not IMSA’s greatness. Let us be very clear about that.
You, and our children, are the brilliant future of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy and I am eager to work with you in re-imagining and sustaining that future.
It is my hope that a year from now, as we look back on our “right moment” together, and see it as a gift to IMSA and to each of us.
With deep gratitude.
Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall
IMSA President