SYRACUSE - Wawasee School Corp. Superintendent Dr. Mark Stock announced his resignation effective July 13.
He has accepted a position with the University of Wyoming, Laramie, where he will be professor of educational leadership. He will be responsible for all superintendent level classes.
Stock and his wife, Sandra, have been married for 27 years. They have two children, Taylor, 13, and Shannon, 22.Stock is originally from Beavercreek, Ohio. After graduating high school in his hometown, he attended Wright State University where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees. In 2003, he completed doctorate studies at Ball State, earning his degree in superintendency and educational leadership.
Stock started his professional career in 1979 as a third-grade teacher in Union, Ohio. He held that position until 1983, then moved to sixth grade. During the 1984-85 school year, Stock taught sixth grade at Washington Elementary.
His tenure at Wawasee began in 1995 when he accepted the position of director of curriculum and technology. In October 1996, with the departure of Wawasee Superintendent Henry Smith, Stock accepted the position on an interim basis. In January 1997, Stock was named superintendent for Wawasee.
Stock entered the position at a time of change for most public schools.
"The last 10 years have been some of the most volatile the public schools have ever seen," he said. "Some of the biggest changes we've seen are such as an emphasis on school improvement, in terms of academic improvement. We've tried to do this at the same time student demographics are changing. Our county itself is changing in terms of higher instances of poverty, and students with special needs coming into the schools. At the same time, you have federal and state laws that are impacting the system.
"What I've tried to do is bring a real professional development focus; focus on curriculum and assessment. We've tried to bring an analytical focus."
Under Stock's leadership, Wawasee underwent a $26.5 million building project. This was accomplished without one instance of remonstrance to the project.
The working environment between administration and staff was healthy and another accomplishment.
"I felt like I've had excellent relationships with the teachers and teachers' association," Stock said. "We don't always agree on everything, but we've always been able to work through disagreements. I feel that during the 11 years I've been superintendent, that's been a major focus."
Stock has developed some strong opinions regarding the future and challenges facing public school systems during his work as both a teacher and superintendent.
"The biggest agenda facing the schools is one we always had, which is continual academic improvement," he said.
"I think Wawasee is in pretty good shape, but I think public schools in general are in for a rocky road in the next 10 years. There's always going to be a need for teachers, but I'm not certain there's always going to be a need for a place called school. With virtual online instruction, virtual academy - all of this is creating a collection of complexes that will come up in education in the next 10 years.
"I think that the biggest thing facing educators right now is that our students are coming in with a wider variety of experiences than anybody's ever seen. Kids that reconnected, with parents who know how things work, have access to some of the very best content and information that has ever been known. At the same time, there's a segment of poverty who are not connected. The diversity of the student body coming into the schools is, I think, higher than it's ever been. That's a challenge to all educators."
On a certain level, Stock's move to a university level teaching position could be viewed as a personal challenge he might never had expected at this time in his life. However, to Stock, Wyoming is an opportunity to continue teaching and develop mentoring relationships with his students. He is also an avid hunter and outdoorsman, so Wyoming is a perfect fit. He has also had three book offers, but until now has had little time to pursue any serious writing.
In closing, Stock expressed gratitude for being offered the superintendent position at Wawasee 11 years ago.
"I would like to thank the community and the board of school trustees. When they hired Mark Stock, they hired a 38-year-old individual with no prior experience as a superintendent. They were supportive through all the years that I worked with them. I'm proud to have been the second-longest-running Wawasee superintendent. Mr. Don Arnold was there for a lot longer than I was. I've been there for 11 years, and I've enjoyed almost all of it. I'm very grateful that the board took a chance on a person who didn't have any experience. It's been some of the best and most challenging years of my life. It's been a good experience."
