By John Urkevich, Executive Director
This month, John David Sanders joined Cooperating School Districts as the organization’s new Director of Staff Development.
As CSD’s Director of Staff Development, David oversees our staff development programs, including those for teachers of English language learners, special education, professional learning communities and more. He tells us that he looks forward to working with his new colleagues to continue the excellent work that CSD currently provides for our schools on a day-to-day basis. David feels his biggest challenge will be in moving forward and taking the next steps to be in the forefront of school improvement and student achievement in Missouri and across the nation.
David comes CSD from the Georgia Department of Education, where since 2006, he served as a state director and school improvement specialist. He worked with administrators and teachers in needs improvement schools. He has also worked as a consultant and presenter on staff development topics at conferences and districts across the country.
David actually began his educational career in the St. Louis area, working as a teacher in the school districts of Clayton, Francis Howell, Kirkwood, and Rockwood. He also taught for three years in the Dallas (TX) Independent School District. He is leadership certified, talented & gifted certified, social studies certified as well as certified in various grades from 4-12 in several states. During his teaching career, David taught 11 and 12th grade psychology, 6, 7 and 8th grade social studies and reading, plus 8th grade talented.
On a personal note, David is pleased to be back in St. Louis to cheer on the Red Birds- “I am not only a fan of St. Louis sports, but I have followed and cheered them from afar these past years, and attended games when possible. I grew up going to Cardinal games with my dad, wearing my baseball glove. I am still waiting to catch that home run ball!”
