Award: Career Technical Education Administrator of the Year Name: Grant Litfin Title: Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services,  Tustin USD Region: 17 ACSA Highlights: Member since 2003; Treasurer and Legislative Action Chair in Association of Torrance School Administrators charter, Region 17.  The past decades have seen a massive shift for students preparing for their futures. College and career readiness mean very different things than they did for Generation X or Baby Boomers. For those working in the field of Career Technical Education, the shifts in culture and economy have required adaptability, creativity and limitless dedication to the success of every student. All of these qualities are embodied in Grant Litfin. Litfin has been part of the administrative team at Tustin USD for six years, moving from director of secondary education to his current position as assistant superintendent of administrative services. His work in both roles has included securing millions of dollars in funding, expanding STEM and CTE opportunities for all students, implementing a high school career pathway program, leveraging technology to close performance gaps and overseeing spending of a $135 million local technology bond measure.  “Grant has led meetings, provided trainings, managed budgets, written grants, coordinated with partners, and gained school board approvals to accomplish these changes for TUSD students,” said Gregory Franklin, superintendent of Tustin USD.  “Throughout this work, there has been an ‘esprit de corps’ within the work groups that reflects Grant’s passion and can-do attitude.” What’s your favorite book on leadership? “Switch” by Chip and Dan Heath is one of my favorites. This book stands out because it goes right at the concept of making change when change is hard. Over the past decade, education has been bombarded by new initiatives, growing accountability, unfunded mandates, and often undue criticisms. Many educators learn to resist change because they’ve had tons of experience with putting forth tons of effort, only to have things change again. Knowing there was more change ahead, TUSD used this book with our leadership teams to discuss the shifts to the Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, instruction utilizing 1:1 student devices, and changes to accountability measures. What’s your favorite quote about leadership? Ronald Reagan said, “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” I love this quote because it really speaks to the work we do in education at any level. Often, our organizations are too large to actually do the work yourself ... and the point is to have students achieving the outcomes.  What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? The best career advice I’ve been given has been to “keep myself surrounded by good people.” I’ve tried to keep that in mind when evaluating job opportunities or when I get the chance to hire new people.  What are some of your favorite apps? The Microsoft Teams app is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. It has a nice blend of productivity and communication tools embedded in it, and it works on just about any platform. We juggle a lot of tasks and have many people involved with everything we do. Teams helps us keep things organized and moving forward. What’s your best strategy for work/life balance? Instead of trying to create balance, I tend to focus on “making every day great.” If you think of Coach Jim Valvano’s powerful ESPY speech, he said, “Every day of your life you should experience something that causes you gut wrenching laughter, a moment that moves you emotionally, and a moment that causes you to think deeply … then you have had a great day.” I try to help my colleagues, friends, and family have as many “great days” as possible, and I find they reciprocate more often than not.  What are the top five life hacks that you would recommend for new administrators?

1. I consume tons of reading, but I hardly “read” at all … I use every second of my commute for audio books.
2. Splurge on the workstation that makes you most efficient. People teased me for years about having multiple computer monitors.
3. Spend another $10 on your secretary on administrative professional’s day, their birthday, etc. Custodian, too, while you are at it. Well worth it!
4. Use your network to crowd source ideas/solutions. There are tons of “gray areas” in education today. We are better together.
5. When ASB asks you to do something embarrassing, (but appropriate) at the first assembly — do it! Show the kids you are human and want to engage.

What’s your proudest accomplishment? Over the course of my career, the most rewarding things have always centered on leveling the playing field for students or providing new opportunities for kids that they otherwise wouldn’t have. Each effort TUSD has undergone, from building robust six to 12 college and career pathways, to opening the doors for all students to participate in CTE (including AP/Dual Enrollment), to using industry standard equipment in every course we offer, to saying “yes” to projects and ideas that in concept seem borderline crazy, is truly special. I’m proud that we’ve built a team of people from the TUSD Board of Education all the way to our student leaders who believe that every student can and should do amazing things in high school to prepare them to lead tomorrow’s workforce.  Who is someone who inspires you? While I have a fantastic boss and cabinet to work with, I usually look to those who work closest with the kids for my inspiration. So whenever that is needed, I head for classrooms to watch our teachers work their magic. CTE is full of impressive teachers who take project-based learning to a whole new level, and their kids consistently outperform expectations. In just the past year, I’ve seen our kids put two functioning satellites in space, hack computer systems they’ve never seen before, build electric cars, serve as student athletic trainers for their peers, and cook amazing meals. I’ve also seen our teachers and programs guide underrepresented students toward inventing new products, getting into colleges they once thought were out of reach, and excel in internships at cutting edge companies like Boeing.  How has ACSA supported you in your career/current position? I’m a huge believer in networks, and ACSA is full of talented people who are often facing the same challenges you are. I would say that I’ve benefited the most from events where we have time to discuss issues we are facing and to bounce ideas off of our colleagues from across the state. I also appreciate the fact that ACSA lobbies on budget and equity issues on behalf of administration/education in Sacramento.  What bucket list item do you hope to accomplish this year? Professionally, I’m hoping to have the chance to go back to college to strengthen my understanding of the business side of education. Personally, my wife and I have a goal of helping both of our kids have a positive experience in all 50 states before they get out of high school, and I’m hoping to check off a few more states with them this year.