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The Superintendents to Watch award recognizes up to 25 school district leaders each year who have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core.
Dr. Victoria H. Stockton is a transformative leader in education, currently entering her third year as the superintendent of Bellwood School District 88. Her approach to leadership is marked by a steadfast commitment to empowering her administrators and staff, fostering an environment where every voice is valued. Under her guidance, the district has embraced a culture of collaboration and innovation, driving meaningful change and elevating student success. Dr. Stockton’s educational journey began in 2004 at a therapeutic day school, where her exceptional classroom management skills quickly set her apart. Recognized for her ability to connect with students and staff alike, she was promoted to assistant principal within just one school year. This early success ignited her passion for leadership, prompting her to pursue a Master’s in Educational Leadership in 2008, followed by a PhD in the same field. Her extensive educational background equips her with a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities within diverse educational environments. Since assuming the role of superintendent in April 2022, Dr. Stockton has exemplified what it means to lead with intention and vision. She is deeply committed to creating a space where staff feel empowered to contribute their ideas and insights on the district’s direction. By prioritizing open communication and inclusivity, she has fostered a collaborative atmosphere that inspires creativity and innovation among her team. Dr. Stockton’s strategic initiatives focus on improving educational outcomes for all students. She has implemented programs that enhance professional development for educators, ensuring they have the tools and resources necessary to excel in their roles. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes continuous growth, encouraging educators to pursue their professional goals while cultivating a strong sense of community within the district. Moreover, Dr. Stockton has prioritized the engagement of families and community members, understanding that a holistic approach to education involves collaboration beyond the classroom. Her outreach efforts have strengthened partnerships with local organizations, creating additional support networks for students and their families. In a rapidly changing educational landscape, Dr. Stockton’s adaptability and forward-thinking mindset have been instrumental in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities for growth. Her data-driven decision-making and commitment to equity ensure that every student has access to quality education and the support they need to thrive. Dr. Victoria H. Stockton embodies excellence in leadership, not only through her accomplishments but also in the positive impact she has made on her community. Her unwavering dedication to empowering others, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing student success makes her a standout candidate for the NSPRA Superintendent to Watch nomination. Her vision for the future of Bellwood School District 88 is not just inspiring—it is a blueprint for excellence in educational leadership.
Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Stockton, Bellwood School District 88 embarked on a comprehensive communication strategy aimed at revitalizing its outreach and engagement. In 2022, the district made a significant stride by hiring its first-ever Communications Coordinator. This pivotal role was created to enhance external communications and strengthen connections with the community, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued. Another key component was the revamping the district's website, transforming it into a user-friendly platform for parents, students, and community members. The redesigned site features intuitive navigation, timely updates, and a wealth of resources, making essential information readily accessible to all stakeholders. This user-centric approach has significantly improved engagement, allowing families to easily find relevant information about programs, events, and resources. To further engage the community, the district introduced new branding, complete with a modern logo that reflects its commitment to innovation and excellence. This rebranding effort was not merely cosmetic; it aimed to create a cohesive and recognizable identity for the district, fostering pride among students, staff, and residents alike. By establishing a clear brand identity, the district is better positioned to communicate its mission and values effectively. One standout feature of the new communication program is the "Superintendent's Scoop," a quarterly newsletter providing important updates directly from the superintendent to parents and community members. This publication fosters transparency and keeps everyone informed about key events and initiatives within the district. By highlighting achievements and upcoming opportunities, the newsletter serves as a vital link between the administration and the community, reinforcing a shared commitment to educational excellence. In addition to traditional communication methods, Dr. Stockton initiated a Superintendent's Speaking Series designed to connect with residents across all six municipalities served by the district. These community forums provide an opportunity for parents and residents to engage in meaningful dialogue, ask questions, and share their perspectives on the educational landscape. By facilitating these discussions, the district strengthens community ties and ensures that local voices influence decision-making processes. Recognizing the importance of social media in modern communication, the district launched its Instagram and Facebook accounts in November 2022. Since then, these platforms have experienced over 350% growth in followers, showcasing the community's increasing engagement. A highlight of this initiative is the popular weekly "#SelfieWithTheSupt" post that occurs every Sunday. This engaging feature invites students, parents, and teachers to take a selfie with Dr. Stockton, fostering a sense of connection and community spirit. The success of this campaign demonstrates the effectiveness of leveraging social media to build relationships and promote school pride. In summary, the implementation of a robust communication program in District 88 marks a transformative step in engaging the community and enhancing transparency. Through the efforts of the Communications Coordinator, the revitalized website, the quarterly "Superintendent's Scoop," the Speaking Series, and dynamic social media initiatives, the district has established a responsive communication framework. This program not only strengthens connections with families and community members but also sets a benchmark for future initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive educational environment.
Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Victoria H. Stockton, Bellwood School District 88 has experienced a remarkable transformation in its communication efforts, marked by her active involvement. Dr. Stockton understands that effective communication goes beyond policies; it is about building relationships and fostering a sense of community. Her commitment to this philosophy is evident in various initiatives she undertakes to engage staff, students, and community members alike. One impactful way Dr. Stockton connects with her team is through personalized communication. She regularly emails staff members to celebrate birthdays and share important updates, ensuring that everyone feels valued and informed. This meaningful gesture promotes a positive workplace culture, reinforcing her belief that every individual plays a vital role in the district's success. Dr. Stockton's presence at community events further exemplifies her dedication to fostering strong relationships. She is a familiar face at annual events such as the Back2School Bash, Toy Distribution, Black History Celebration, Hispanic Heritage Festival, and the STEAM Expo. At these gatherings, she actively engages with families, demonstrating her commitment to community involvement. Whether distributing school supplies or celebrating cultural achievements, Dr. Stockton’s participation strengthens the bonds between the district and its community. In addition to her involvement in events, Dr. Stockton attends various sporting activities, including the highly anticipated staff vs. student basketball games. Her enthusiastic support for district sports boosts morale among athletes and fosters a sense of unity within the school community. By cheering on students, she models the importance of school spirit and encourages pride in their achievements. Dr. Stockton also recognizes the power of social media as a tool for communication and community building. She actively participates on district platforms, frequently sharing updates, highlights, and important announcements. Her engagement amplifies the district’s messaging and keeps families informed and connected. By sharing success stories and celebrating achievements, she showcases the positive impact of the district on students' lives. Additionally, Dr. Stockton is highly responsive to media requests, ensuring that the district's voice is represented accurately in the community. Her willingness to engage with local media outlets reflects her commitment to transparency, making her a trusted figure in educational leadership. In summary, Dr. Victoria H. Stockton’s visible involvement in Bellwood School District 88’s communication efforts is a testament to her dedication to building an inclusive educational community. Through personalized communication with staff, active participation in community events, enthusiastic support for school activities, and effective use of social media, she models exemplary communication practices that inspire those around her. Dr. Stockton not only engages with families and stakeholders but also fosters an environment where everyone feels valued and heard, paving the way for a brighter future for the district.
B.A. - Mississippi State University; MPA - University of Georgia
I believe school PR/communications is what I was born to do! One of the biggest decisions a parent can make is where to send their child to school, and it’s an honor to share with our parents the engaging work that their children are doing under the guidance of world-class teachers and leaders. On any given day, in any given school, there are many stories to be told and I take that charge seriously. As school communicators played a key role in COVID-19 communications, storytelling was more important than ever – not only did I share information with parents about our protocols, but I also made over 80 visits to schools last year and told a variety of stories about how students were thriving with both in-person and distance learning options. I also worked with principals to determine best mitigation practices and helped make those pervasive, because positive action must be the foundation of what we are ultimately communicating. School public relations is incredibly complex and I love that each day brings a new challenge.
My greatest school PR success was completing 11 nationally-innovative school communication audits using a process of research, planning, implementation, and evaluation. I am now in phase two of this project and am attending school council meetings to garner feedback from parents about school-level communication and how I can better support the work of their schools. One of the most significant findings is that as students take more ownership of their learning, they also take more ownership in parent communication. Therefore, next steps are to better prepare parents for this transition and to also determine best practices from exemplar teachers and coaches at the secondary level so we can strike the right balance with parents feeling informed and fostering student independence.
My greatest school PR challenge is overcoming rigidity. Like many PR professionals, I am detail-oriented and a self-described perfectionist. It’s a blessing and a curse to see when something is one pixel off, but the greatest challenge I have faced in my 13 years in this field is to learn to be more flexible. I might have an aversion to Comic Sans or Curlz, but it’s not the end of the world if those are a font favorite elsewhere. What’s more important is the bigger picture – staff and parents feeling well-informed and students growing and learning in positive school cultures. Instead of telling someone their website isn’t formatted properly, I now make a 2-3 minute screencast if I think there’s a quick tutorial I can offer to provide ongoing professional learning. By being much more flexible, I have deepened relationships and become better at supporting the most important job that occurs in our school system: teaching.
My favorite part of my job is the relationships. I often say that there is no substitute for showing up, and that’s why I make so many school visits each year. From getting to hold a gorgeous monarch butterfly to watching a vibrant student musical to seeing 3-D printing in action from engineering students, I have witnessed countless unique opportunities, and these experiences are just a small piece of what our students get to take part in each and every day. If I didn’t take the time to form relationships, I wouldn’t know that what students value is knowing that the photos I take may show up in their yearbooks. I wouldn’t know the myriad of annual activities that teachers do across our schools because I wouldn’t have witnessed them firsthand. I wouldn’t know about the families of our principals or what they believe makes their school unique. All of that is invaluable because at the end of the day and at the end of this career, relationships are what will remain – both professionally and personally.
The communication tool I use the most is Canva! I would be a brand ambassador if they asked! I am not very mathematically-minded and it can be challenging for someone with an eye for good design – but not an eye for rulers and gridlines – to be a graphic designer. However, Canva has made it possible and I am able to create aesthetically-pleasing graphics with short turn-around times. I have trained communication ambassadors at our schools how to use it as well. Right after Canva, the tool I most use is iMovie. I am completely self-taught in videography and using iMovie and Canva together has made me someone who can add “videographer” to their list of expertise.