Glenda Ritz Talks About Educational Changes, Teachers’ Roles and Women in Leadership with Ideas in Motion Media

Glenda Ritz Talks About Educational Changes, Teachers’ Roles and Women in Leadership with Ideas in Motion Media

On February 6, 2016, Indiana State Superintendent for Public Instruction Glenda Ritz paid a visit to Calumet College of St. Joseph to speak at their fourth annual Dr. Quentin P. Smith S.T.E.M. Scholarship Brunch.

After the address, Ritz was accommodating in sitting down with Ideas in Motion Media’s Anna Hanson for an interview on the state of public education in Indiana, the changing role for teachers, and women in leadership positions throughout the state. The two kicked things off talking about technology’s role in education.

“At the local level, kids are getting more and more immersed in utilizing technology as part of their everyday learning and that’s never going to go backward. It's only going to go forward. Technology is going to continue to advance. It has advanced all of our career options for kids,” Ritz explained. “Kids have to be very proficient in utilizing technology in their daily lives.”

anna-ritz-2The two talk about how technology has allowed education to become more “portable”, as Ritz explains, and some of the effects of how mobile devices are being integrated in education. Though technology is becoming a bigger part of public education, the student-teacher relationship is one that remains key to developing a successful learning environment.

“I am all about making sure we are having those relationships that are built because that is what entices kids to get excited about learning," said Ritz. "Coming to school and learning different things should be engaging.” 

After graduating from the Video Productions and Media Studies program with the Porter County Career and Technical Center, Anna then talks to Superintendent Ritz, who also had career and technical education as part of her schooling, about career and technical education and the impact it made in their lives.

“[For] kids who actually get into CTE programs - there is a 95% graduation rate,” Ritz stated. “It’s because they’re engaged. It is pretty exciting to see kids get excited.”

anna-ritz-3The discussion then turns to the profession of teaching and how, despite its challenges, it is rewarding for those who love to work with kids. Ritz went straight from the classroom to her role as Superintendent of Public Instruction, an inspiration for women who seek leadership positions.

“We have seven people who are in the executive branch of Indiana’s government and five of them are women,” she said. “So I am very excited to be among them and I encourage young women to find what their passion is.”

The two close out the conversation by discussing social media, communication, and how to communicate with today’s students.

You can listen to the full interview on Soundcloud, and you can watch each section below.

Glenda Ritz on the Progression of Education in Indiana

Glenda Ritz on the Importance of Teachers in Indiana

Glenda Ritz on Women in Leadership

Glenda Ritz on Career Paths for Students