In early 2012, the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District chose Dr. Rob Leri as its new Superintendent of Schools. According to those who work with Leri, it was a decision that has been positive for the future of Tahoe’s students.
“He is fantastic, the best superintendent I’ve ever worked with,” said Tahoe Lake School Principal Stephanie Foucek. “He keeps kids at the forefront of decision making. He has created an awesome environment; it’s exciting to have his style of leadership.”
Leri was raised near Modesto, part of a family that has lived in California since the 1850s. He began college at Fresno State, then moved to Japan, where he studied Japanese language and culture at Kobe University while teaching English. Later, he received a teaching credential from UC Berkeley, and master and doctorate degrees from University of Laverne near Los Angeles. He began his career in education teaching high school journalism and computers for six years in Ceres. He also taught Kindergarten and second grade before beginning a 16-year career in administration in Arcadia. His final position there was as the Deputy Superintendent for the District.
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“He keeps kids at the forefront of decision making. He has created an awesome environment; it’s exciting to have his style of leadership.”
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“Arcadia was a great place. I wasn’t looking for a new job. This was the only place I wanted to go beside Arcadia,” Leri says. “I knew TTUSD was a place I could make a difference. I picked them and they picked me.”
Perhaps what has made Leri’s tenure a success is that he looks at life through a positive set of lenses and is always interested in listening and working together cooperatively. When I asked him to describe the challenges the school district faces, he paused and said there are not challenges there are just opportunities.
“We have an amazing staff and wonderful teachers who have grown and learned in so many ways to help our students. We have the best students, the community support is phenomenal. There are great service clubs who support our youth. Frankly, those are things that went into the decision I made to come here. I looked at those kinds of support. They were in Arcadia. I wanted the same thing here,” said Leri.
“Rob has an incredible stamina for work. When he is not meeting with teachers, administrators or parents, he is attending community service group meetings and nonprofit fundraisers. He has had a tremendous impact on collaboration and communication,” Tahoe Truckee Teachers Association President Stephanie Bacon says. “He returns every e-mail and phone call and has established a committee to ensure that teacher voices are included in decision making. Not only has he increased collaborative work within the district, but he has extended this work to our community partners.”
Leri also sees opportunities for the district to help support the “social and emotional welfare of our kids.” The school district’s efforts to help with drug and alcohol abuse lead the organization, Tahoe Truckee Future without Drug Dependence, to name TTUSD as their partner of the year.
Leri also feels that it is important to dispel some misconceptions about Tahoe-Truckee schools. “We need to tell our stories. We need to tell what is really going on at Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. We have a great board. It has been an amazing journey with our school board. They really have set the direction.”
As if running a school district with more than 4000 students is not enough, Leri serves on the board of Tahoe SAFE Alliance, the Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe, the Squaw Valley Institute and Food Works. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Truckee. Leri feels that in rural mountain districts such as ours, the efforts that organizations make to support the educational system are essential. “It can’t just be done by the schools,” he said.
Growing up near Yosemite, Leri says that he loves being back in the mountains in a place he can ski again, but mostly he is happy here because of the reception he has received.
“I’m so amazed at the welcoming of the community for the past four years,” said Leri. “I don’t feel like a newcomer. I’m looking forward to many years with Tahoe Truckee.”
