In 2018, she spearheaded the district’s Student Advocate Program, which places student advocates at each school site to promote student engagement. Advocates connect with students throughout the school day, offer attendance incentives and activities, have conversations with parents and provide random acts of kindness that keep even the most difficult students coming to school every day. Under Cruikshank’s coordination and leadership, the program resulted in a 7 percent decrease in truancy and 6 percent decrease in chronic absenteeism districtwide.

Cruikshank, who has spent all 34 of her years in education with Thermalito, has also worked to secure more than $600,000 in grants to serve the social-emotional and learning needs of all children in the district, through programs including VAPA, MTSS and MCaP.

Those who have observed her leading professional learning and development say her engaging, positive style brings out the best in others.

“Her thoughtful questions and positive manner encourage all educational partners to be honest in their reflections of their experiences and practices,” said Michelle Sanchez, senior director, Special Projects, District/Program Support & Charter Oversight with the Butte County Office of Education. “She values people and empathetically honors their thoughts and feelings.”

What’s your favorite book or quote on leadership? Book: “Lead Like a Pirate: Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff” by Shelley Burgess & Beth Houf. The book affirms everything I believe in:

• Passion — both professional and personal.
• A willingness to Immerse yourself in your work and still balance personal life.
• Good rapport with staff, students and community.
• The courage to ask questions and analyze what is and isn't working.
• The determination to seek positive transformation.

Quotes: “Relationships before rigor. Grace before grades. Patience before programs. Love before lessons.” — Brad Johnson

“Education is always about relationships. Great teachers are not just instructors and test administrators: They are mentors, coaches, motivators, and lifelong sources of inspiration to their students.” — Ken Robinson

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

What’s your best strategy for work/life balance? Take time for yourself, stay in touch with family and friends, laugh, and plan ahead for relaxing and recharging.

What are some life hacks that you would recommend for a new administrator? Carry a notebook with you and write down your ideas when you think of them. Record a message on your phone or text yourself. It is easy to forget random brainstorms during hectic and busy days.

Multitasking does not work. The key is to master rapid task-shifting.

When you wake up in the middle of the night with your mind spinning, jot those thoughts on paper, turn off the light, and deal with it tomorrow.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? I was born and raised on a working cattle ranch in McArthur, California, between the northern Sierras and Mt. Shasta. There I raised and showed champion FFA beef cattle at local and state competitions. I am also an accomplished competitive horse carriage driver, certified SCUBA diver, and lived in Big Lake, Alaska for two years as a reprieve from college.

What made you want to become a school administrator? I was told by my supervisor during my second year of teaching that I had the intuitive skills to be a principal. I loved being a teacher, so it took me over a decade to go into administration. I eventually moved from a middle school teacher, to an elementary principal, so I could make a difference in the lives of all the students in the school, instead of just those in my classroom. Then I moved to the district level in order to collaborate with all certificated and classified employees and ultimately to make a difference for all students in the district.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome to get where you are? Completing my bachelor’s degree and student teaching as a single parent. Then completing a master’s degree and administrative credentials while teaching full-time, and managing to keep a level head and sense of humor throughout the challenges.

What are you most proud of accomplishing? The Thermalito Student Advocate program, developed through a competitive LCSSP state grant. For five years now, student advocate teams at every school site continue to build positive relationships with students and families, help improve attendance, decrease chronic absenteeism and truancy, and expand positive connectedness in a widely diverse community.

Also, I am grateful to have worked and grown in the same district for 34 years, as a student teacher, a middle school teacher, an instructional coach, an elementary principal, and ultimately as district-level director. I have full-heartedly dedicated my career to this community. I love the Thermalito Union Elementary School District, the staff, the students, and the families who I have had the pleasure to work with.

How has ACSA supported you in your career/current position? Most importantly, I completed the Principal and Curriculum & Instruction Academies, where I gained a wealth of knowledge, lifelong connections, and professional learning. Additionally, the opportunity to network with my peers through the ACSA community has expanded my ability to improve the educational experience of the Thermalito students.

How are you prioritizing mental health for yourself, your staff and/or your students? Always listen first, have a little grace, and a lot of patience, both with myself and others. Now, more than ever, mental health is a big challenge. Understanding, compassion, empathy, and inclusion are essential to the Thermalito community.