I am your new Sound Discipline Transitional Executive Director. As we aim to expand the reach of Sound Discipline’s important work, Jody McVittie is embarking on a vital new role of Director of Strategic Partnerships. She is transitioning out of day-to-day management, and spending as much time as possible designing our new “District Partnership Model” as well as being out doing what she does best – training and evangelizing about this work.
 
Who am I? I am a parent, a devotee of Positive Discipline, a fierce champion and learner of equity, a long-time volunteer in the education space, and a nonprofit strategy consultant. I have lots of experience in interim leadership roles, most recently with MENTOR Washington and Open Arms. My superpowers are strategy and team building. I am a big believer in listening, asking great questions, and building on strengths -- creating the conditions where people can be their most authentic and best selves.
 
Because this organization’s values are my values, Sound Discipline is my happy place. I feel so very fortunate to have the opportunity to support the truly incredible people who serve on this Board and this staff. I am focused on setting up Sound Discipline’s next Executive Director for success. This means helping the Board and staff distill and document our impact story, building up and stoking the passion and equity consciousness of our Board Members, and taking care of the outstanding people and brilliant systems this organization has invested in. 
 
My first step was to participate in our Building Resiliency and Positive Discipline in the Classroom trainings. These experiences are life changing and compelling in more ways than I can describe. If you have not had the opportunity to see the work first hand, I want to facilitate that. You will not be the same. You will want to shout from the rooftops about why this work is essential to ending disproportionality in education outcomes for kids, to setting kids up to reach their true potential, and to repairing the harm from systems that are contributing to suffering both within and beyond schools. Our world needs this!
 
Thank  you! For believing in this work, for supporting us, for telling people why you do that. We need your partnership and passion.

Andrea John-Smith
Transitional Executive Director, Sound Discipline

• Take care of yourself to manage your own stress. Take a walk, breathe fresh air.
• Stay calm and be factual when talking to children.
• Make sure young people know that (unless they are significantly immune compromised) they are not at risk. For most people who get the virus it will feel like a cold or the flu.
• Schools may close and events may be cancelled because there are people in our community who are at risk: people who are much older, people who have other significant illnesses.
• We can be helpers by:
  • Washing our hands well (with soap, both sides and for 20 seconds)
  • Staying home if we are sick
• And… if you and your children have to stay home, think about how you might take advantage of the situation.
  • Could you do puzzles? Play games?
  • Bake together
  • Read to each other
  • Write letters to relatives
  • Make photo albums
  • If you have a computer or cell phone, you can make free 20 minute video calls to friends and family using Zoom