Colusa County Office of Education
Earning an A+ in Talent Development
Situation
The Colusa County Office of Education, led by Superintendent Michael West, found itself at a crucial juncture. With a substantial $2.25 million "Innovative Approaches to Literacy" Grant from the U.S. Department of Education over three years, there was a pressing need to ensure that the team was not just meeting federal deliverables on time, but also maximizing their impact on the community. Michael, with his unique blend of educational and business acumen, recognized the necessity of aligning the team’s talents to the task at hand.
Task
To guarantee the success of the grant and the efficiency of his team, Michael enlisted the help of Melissa Ortiz, an external evaluator and CEO of Activate HGC. The task was clear: align the team’s talents, meet the federal grant deliverables, and ensure that the impact on literacy was maximized, all while navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing educational landscape.
Action
Less than a year into the grant cycle, the global pandemic struck, throwing a wrench into the original plans. Schools were closed, and the hands-on literacy interventions that were planned had to be reimagined. With Activate’s support, the Colusa County Office of Education team was able to swiftly pivot, creating innovative approaches to literacy that were not only effective in the new learning environment but also garnered praise from both the community and the U.S. Department of Education.
Results
Despite the unforeseen challenges, the team’s ability to adapt and realign their strategies led to outstanding outcomes. The innovative literacy approaches developed were recognized for their impact, showcasing the team’s resilience and dedication to their mission. Superintendent Michael West’s leadership, combined with Melissa Ortiz’s expertise and the Activate team’s support, proved to be a winning combination, ensuring that the grant’s objectives were not just met, but exceeded.
“Activate will give you more than you ask for and hold you and your people accountable - and that’s what we want.”
— Michael West, Superintendent