Senior Manager Janet Strauss reflects on Stoneham’s journey to refine its Year 2 Implementation Plan through intentional collaboration and adaptive leadership. Partnering closely with District Lead Dr. Kathryn Castonguay, Assistant Superintendent, the team embraced reflection, tested ideas, and strengthened focus around Tier I instruction to ensure lasting impact for students.
Intentional Collaboration
Supporting the Stoneham Leadership Team in developing its Year 2 Implementation Plan has been a study in intentional collaboration and strategic evolution. From the outset, Kathryn Castonguay and I have worked as true partners—aligning our efforts, pacing the work thoughtfully, and ensuring that change unfolded at a sustainable rhythm.
Shared Vision and Trusting Partnerships
Rather than pushing urgency, we prioritized reflection and tested ideas before identifying what would best serve Stoneham’s educators and students. The team began the year with an ambitious vision, and through ongoing dialogue and learning, we refined our focus on Tier I instruction—bringing greater coherence across schools and strengthening alignment with district priorities.
Continuous Learning and Adaptive Leadership
Piloting two Pre-K curricula has been an especially meaningful challenge, requiring patience, adaptability, and consistent communication. Together, we’ve learned that lasting progress comes from balancing aspiration with feasibility and leaving room for iteration. As Dr. Castonguay recently reminded the team, we approach this work “with an eraser in hand”—ready to adjust as we learn.
Shared Commitment
That mindset—grounded in partnership, trust, and a shared commitment to doing what’s best for students—continues to drive Stoneham’s growth and the collective success of the PRISM I community.