The Sunnyvale ISD Board of Trustees approved the hiring of Courtney Sharkey as its new Director of Advanced Academics, Accountability and CTE. Ms. Sharkey comes to SISD from Richardson ISD at the April 22 Board Meeting.
“More than anything else, what led me to Sunnyvale ISD are the values that seem to be at the heart of the district,” Sharkey said. “I want to be a part of a community that puts students first and stays consistent in their progress forward without sacrificing what matters most.”
Sharkey’s position has been converted from a previously vacated position and comes after some reorganization of SISD’s administrative team that will sharpen the district’s focus on teaching and learning.
“We are excited about this new position and the reorganization,” Superintendent Matt Kimball said. “In working on the goals our Board of Trustees has established, the reorganization and new director role is a crucial step. Ms. Sharkey brings a wealth of experience in the world of advanced academics and CTE. This new role allows a specific focus on K-12 advanced academics while also expanding career pathways that fit the needs of our students and families.”
In addition to Sharkey’s position, two veteran Raider administrators have had some additional responsibilities added to their roles. These changes allow the district to provide more support and leadership in areas that impact our students.
Jennifer Settle will be SISD’s Executive Director of Teaching and Learning supporting the district’s curriculum-based initiatives and leading the district’s Curriculum Coordinators.
Amy Tutle will be SISD’s Executive Director of Student and Staff Services and will support SISD’s Library Services, Counseling Services, ESL Services, 504 Services, RTI Services and Wellness needs.
Sharkey will also be a part of the Teaching and Learning team and will be supporting students and teachers in the areas of SISD's Advanced Placement course, Dual-Credit offerings, Gifted and Talented program and the Career and Technical Education programming. Along with those duties, she will oversee SISD's accountability processes.
Sharkey currently serves as the Director of CTE and Early College High School in Richardson ISD — a position she has held for the last five years. She oversees all aspects of Career and Technical Education for 12 secondary schools, including the operation and instructional success of five pathways in technology in early college high schools. Additionally, she oversees the PK-6 CTE program at 41 elementary schools.
“I love what I do, and I feel I have had the opportunity to gain so many valuable experiences,” she said. “I look forward to bringing my ideas into a community where I can share them with intentionality and collaboration.”
Sharkey joins not only these two talented administrators, but a team of leaders who are committed to serving the students and families of SISD. Sharkey says she’s committed to building trust with her team and the community.
“Relationships and trust are always at the center of any successful work,” she said. “My short-term goals will include learning about SISD, building relationships, and beginning to gain trust.”
Expanding SISD's opportunities for students to reach their fullest potential is top of mind for Sharkey.
“One long-term goal that I am confident we will want to pursue is continuing to expand opportunities for students to increase future readiness,” Sharkey said. “Providing a consistent continuum of learning experiences, offering content that is rich with depth and complexity, and empowering students and parents with choice are always goals that we can strive to achieve with quality CTE and Advanced Academics.”
Sharkey is keenly aware of the importance Sunnyvale families place on advanced academics and is ready to improve on the district’s already stellar academic offerings.
“I look forward to partnering with the SISD community to move our students to the next level of achievement in the area of advanced academics,” she said.
Sharkey and her husband live in Rockwall and have four children: Jobey, 25, graduated from Northwestern State in Business and lives in Dallas. Aubriana, 25, graduated from Texas State University and now lives in Flagstaff, AZ and works with children with special needs who are attending graduate school. Toriana,16, and Annika,13, are both gymnasts. They also have two dogs named Rudy and Teddy.
Mrs. Sharkey Believes a High-Quality Advanced Academic Program Incorporates the Following:
(1) It cultivates student passions, tapping into natural curiosities, developing lifelong learners;
(2) It allows for access and choice, with early identification, layering opportunities for acceleration, compacting and flexible pacing, etc.;
(3) It promotes transparency and communication, closely partnering with parents and stakeholders;
(4) It encourages continued learning for staff and community, offering on-going training to teachers and parent education classes; and
(5) It supports larger strategic goals of the campuses, the district, and the families of SISD. As we work in each of these areas and bring new offerings to our students, we will certainly see success.
