Patricia Andry-Jennings has contributed to the development of others through two districtwide professional learning days, where staff members pursue topics that are directly connected to district objectives.
Andry-Jennings ensures all students rise to their potential
September 16, 2024
Name: Patricia Andry-Jennings
Award: Curriculum & Instruction Administrator of the Year
Title: Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services, Napa Valley USD
ACSA highlights: Member since 1993; CLASS ACSA/New Teacher Center (2013-2017); Personnel Academy graduate; New & Aspiring Principals Institute participant.
The ability to navigate change, manage crises, and foster collaboration while moving a district forward. This is the leadership of Patricia Andry-Jennings, ACSA’s 2024 Curriculum & Instruction Administrator of the Year.
When she joined Napa Valley USD as assistant superintendent of instructional services — the same week schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Andry-Jennings immediately got to work making improvements to instructional programs so that all students can reach their potential.
During the pandemic, Andry-Jennings was a calm and consistent force, ensuring students had equitable access to teaching and learning. “Because of her collaborative approach and unwavering commitment to implementing an instructional model that could work in our community during the pandemic, NVUSD was one of the first districts of its size in the state to reopen its 26 campuses,” said NVUSD Superintendent Rosanna Mucetti.
Her commitment to creating a sense of belonging for historically marginalized students and staff prompted her to create a districtwide program called Ecosystem of Cariño (EoC) based on Victor Rios’ Scholar System. EoC aimed to foster a culture of belonging by training staff to provide high support and high expectations for all students. Her team also earned the 2022 California Pivotal Practice Award from the CDE for facilitating a virtual multilingual family learning series.
Her unwavering commitment to educational quality and student achievement is evident in her leadership of strategic initiatives. Andry-Jennings played a pivotal role leading her team in building the foundation for MTSS implementation, resulting in a comprehensive handbook and intervention maps, and utilizing the AERIES data analytics tool. She has aligned several systemic improvements across departments and developed priority standards and proficiency scales for math and ELA, emphasizing clear learning intentions, effective instructional practices and high student engagement.
Andry-Jennings contributes to the development of others through two district wide professional learning days, where over 1,000 instructional staff, certificated and classified members pursue more than 80 topics that are directly connected to district objectives. A former principal leadership coach, principals say she has contributed to their success due to her ability to bring out the greatness in others. Andry-Jennings also models continuous self-improvement — she has participated in multiple ACSA professional learning opportunities in addition to completing her doctoral degree. Although she recently left the district for another position, the positive changes she initiated in Napa Valley USD will continue to reap benefits for students and staff for years to come.
“She has meticulously built a team of directors that is based upon a shared vision,” said Terri Lynne Ricetti, executive director of Special Education in NVUSD. “She has set the tone for an environment where expectations for success are high, though achievable, and teamwork is key. Under her guidance, we have learned and grown together. ... It is both the depth and breadth of her daily achievements that are inspirational.”
What’s your favorite book or quote on leadership?
My favorite quote is from Brené Brown’s “Dare to Lead.” The quote “Who we are is how we lead” speaks volumes about how our core being manifests in our leadership approach.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I received was to seek to understand first before making decisions. Sometimes as leaders we quickly form a solution without fully understanding a problem. If I take the time to ask questions, I typically develop a much deeper understanding of the problem and I’m better able to collaboratively solve it. Listening and asking questions is a tremendous leadership practice.
What’s your best strategy for work-life balance?
This is a tough one, however, finding colleagues that encourage and support a work-life balance plays an important role in accomplishing the elusive work-life balance.
What are some life hacks that you would recommend for a new administrator?
I would suggest that they make their calendar their friend by scheduling time for their top priorities. That’s a lot easier said than done!
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
For a brief time, I stepped away from public education and became a personal chef for several families. I loved spending my days cooking and making the lives of my clients easier, however, I missed working with kids.
What made you want to become a school administrator?
My parents always stressed the importance of serving your community, to give back more than you have been given. As a teacher and leader, it is important to me to work to ensure that ALL students have more than just access. I wanted to be in a leadership position so that I could allocate resources (human and financial) to provide the support underserved students need to achieve their full potential.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome to get where you are?
The biggest challenge I have faced is cultivating an organizational culture that celebrates and supports historically marginalized students and families. As a Black woman educational leader, I understand the importance of developing a culture of belonging and inclusivity in public schools.
What are you most proud of?
Professionally, I am proud of my work to center the voices of marginalized students and families in the development of instructional priorities. Personally, I’m proud of my two remarkable children and the completion of my doctoral dissertation on how organizations create spaces of well-being and belonging for their staff.
How has ACSA supported you in your career/current position?
I have benefited greatly from the ACSA Academies. They have provided opportunities for me to grow as I prepared for the next step in my career. I still use some of the lessons learned from the new principal academy at UCLA in my everyday work.
Patricia Andry-Jennings completed her doctoral dissertation on how organizations create spaces of well-being and belonging for their staff.
Patricia Andry-Jennings' commitment to creating a sense of belonging for historically marginalized students and staff prompted her to create a districtwide program called Ecosystem of Cariño based on Victor Rios’ Scholar System.
When she joined Napa Valley USD as assistant superintendent of instructional services — the same week schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Patricia Andry-Jennings immediately got to work making improvements to instructional programs so that all students can reach their potential.
Patricia Andry-Jennings believes that finding colleagues that encourage and support a work-life balance plays an important role in accomplishing the elusive work-life balance.