The local news media has been flooded with stories about Dr. Sonia Dinnall. One writer, Jeanette DeForge, pens: “For the first time in history, the 23,700-student Springfield School Department will be led by a woman. The School Committee selected Sonia Dinnall as superintendent to replace Daniel Warwick, who is retiring in June after heading up the schools for a dozen years. Not only will Dinnall be the first woman superintendent, she will also be the third Black educator to serve in the position. She has worked in Springfield schools for 23 years at different times in her career.”
Dr. Dinnall’s response to writer DeForge was succinct and relevant. “The significance of the moment is not lost on me. I am here because of our children and because I want to do what is best for children every day in every zip code.”
While the search was in process, much of the spotlight was shone on Springfield School Committee members, including chair Mayor Domenic Sarno. They were charged with selecting the best candidate out of those individuals who expressed an interest in the position and subsequently submitted applications. They were interviewed and appropriately vetted by the Search Committee, and the field was narrowed down to three finalists.
School Committee woman Denise Hurst is quoted to have said: “I personally am looking for a bold leader who is going to challenge the status quo. I’m looking for a very different leader. I couldn’t be prouder of our collective energy, strength and perseverance during the superintendent search. I am looking forward to working collaboratively as a school committee to make certain Dr. Dinnall is supported and SPS students, staff and families have access to all they deserve.”
Many interested people tuned in to the live-streamed proceedings. Others made sure they showed up in person. All-in-all, the search and selection process created a lot of stimulating conversations for local educators, parents, and the community. Needless to say, everybody had an opinion, and by the final day, most people knew their candidate of choice. School Committee woman LaTonia Monroe Naylor nominated Sonia Dinnall citing her extensive experience and obvious preparedness to do the job. Members Barbara Gresham, Denise Hurst, and Joesiah Gonzalez provided the four votes Dinnall needed to become the next superintendent.
When I reached out to Mrs. Naylor after the selection was completed, she stated: “I am elated for our families, students, staff, and, ultimately, our city. The superintendent is one of the most important positions in the city as I believe education should be a top priority as it impacts the equilibrium and culture in every community. I believe we selected the best individual to bring our district to the next level and enhance the educational experience for all.”
Channel 40 news reported: “After a long search filled with drama and controversy, the Springfield School Committee has announced their superintendent choice.” Vice Chairman of the School Committee Joesiah Gonzalez was able to close out any lingering drama and controversy still being presented with a firm leadership statement where he said: “Despite the challenge that the Superintendent search process presented in our City, I am pleased that we have selected our new Superintendent, Dr. Sonia Dinnall, and I look forward to working with her as we keep the 20,000 plus students at the center of our work.”
This writer has had the pleasure of knowing Sonia Dinnall for many years. I was happy that she agreed to grant me this interview. Our conversation included but was not limited to the following questions and answers:

Q: Who is Dr. Sonia Dinnall?
A: I am a first generation Jamaican American, born and raised in Springfield. My K-12 education included attending Memorial, Talmadge, Warner, Kiley and Classical schools. I am a lifelong learner, and I love educating students. My teaching career began at Forest Park Middle School. I am convinced that I stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before me. I want to continue the excellence in teaching and learning that others have begun. I currently serve as the Chief of Family Engagement for the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership.

Q: How has your educational journey prepared you for this level of leadership?
A: I contend that I’ve had a great education. It gave me the ability to compete with individuals from neighboring suburbs, and it prepared me to compete with no deficiencies. When I attended Westfield State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree, I quickly realized my knowledge and capacity to do college-level work exceeded that of many of my peers. I never had a problem writing essays or completing research projects while I witnessed other students struggling. I attribute much of my success as a K-12 learner to the education I received in Springfield Schools.
As I continued my pursuit of personal growth, I attended the University of Massachusetts for my first master’s degree studying under numerous quality professors. I again realized that I had access to a level of knowledge on par with other highly selected colleges. I later returned to Westfield State University and Lesley University, acquiring a second master’s degree and a doctorate degree. Having studied under national and international guest lecturers, I broadened my horizons about global education. My life, education, and work in Springfield has prepared me to want to go above and beyond for the children, most especially the children of my contemporaries. That desire was embedded in me years ago when I began my career as a teacher.

Q: From where/whom do you draw strength to meet life’s challenges?
A: I am rooted and grounded in faith. I am strongly connected to a faith-based community, which includes family and friends. Through observation, study, and curiosity, I also draw strength from a network of men and women in the field of education. Success often starts with embracing courage; this I do from seeing others that I admire and respect overcome challenges and strive for accomplishments they believe are possible.

Q: What is your plan to deal with the political structure?
A: Our democracy is rooted in politics. We depend on legislation and political insight to maintain a society that works for the people. With courage and determination, I will seek support from the vast majority of the community. While learning the details of my new assignment with a seriousness of purpose, I will lean on trusted and well-respected members of the community and draw from their collective wisdom. I believe it is incumbent upon me to remind people that no one person, regardless of your role in this society, has all the answers, but in partnership, we can advance to solving problems and create a winning team.

Q: It suffices to say that the Springfield Public Schools (SPS) has been an underperforming district for quite some time. Continuing to defend deplorable results is unacceptable. What’s your plan to change this status of underachievement?
A: I will dig deeply into the data while engaging in a transparent listening campaign: listening to people in the trenches, listening to the community. I will demonstrate the importance of collaboration and staying positive. I’ll make every effort to ignore folks with ulterior motives and not be distracted by rumors where facts are readily available. (I appreciate anecdotal, but I’ll definitely seek quantitative.) I want our district to rise to levels of notoriety in how we support our principals and educators while ensuring that our students and families feel supported. Quality leaders that I plan to emulate make sure that the right people are in the right seats. I will set aside quality time to do my homework and my own research because I’m that “show me” leader. I trust the presence of an intelligent public. We will not defy data; we will not lead people down an erroneous path. We will galvanize our best thinkers and work better together to change negative data.

Q: Do you plan to maintain the current hierarchy in the SPS system?
A: It will be important to do my due diligence to make sure the structure is what’s best for the community, focusing on the targeted learners and those most impacted by how we do business. If it looks like it’s working well, we stay the course.

Q: How will you get families engaged and ultimately empowered?
A: Saturdays will become Super Saturdays for me. I’ll make it my business to seek out and show up where parents go, i.e. local bodegas, Walmart, restaurants, parks, etc. (Have car – will travel) It will be my goal to listen with an open heart, to develop opportunities for conversation with the local community and businesses. Developing trust by extending an olive branch will be practiced. Reaffirming that we are not the enemy will be repeated. I will have no problem copying excellence—researched based excellence— that is proven through trial and error. All voices are worth hearing.

Q: Your appointment is being called historic in the Springfield Schools. Is being the first African American (Black) Female to hold this position of significance for you?
A: I’m actually the 3rd person of color to lead the Springfield School District. It is my hope to normalize leadership of color sooner than later. We are visibly in the process of accepting the fact that leadership has a set of characteristics that have nothing to do with gender or race. The City of Springfield is growing more and more comfortable with leadership from people of color.

Q: Starting at the beginning and projecting to six months in, how do you envision the landscape of the status quo changing?
A: 1) Aspiring to regain the trust of our families and students
2) Provide a high level of support to classroom teachers and administrators
3) A well-developed and executed Strategic Plan with goals
4) Positioned to produce some increases in our MCAS schools
This reporter was grateful to Dr. Sonia Dinnall for taking the time with me and allowing me to delve into a space that community members are still curious about. I sincerely believe as we get to know her better and watch her work, we will concur with the feedback (below) offered by School Committee woman Barbara Gresham expressing the following reasons for her convictions about Dr. Dinnall’s candidacy:

1. Dr. Dinnall’s resume reflected the qualifications we collectively set.
2. Her references spoke of her good character, leadership style and professionalism.
3. She was very poised during her interview.
4. She also handed the school committee members her “Transition Plan”.
5. She is a product of SPS and she mentioned her primary goal is to build upon the legacy of academic success for our district.
   I take this opportunity to express my pride in such a professional woman whose educational journey I’ve been privileged to watch and participate in. She confidently states that her education and experience have prepared her to accept this position, understanding that it won’t be easy. I extend my full support to her, and I hope she will feel confident in depending on those of us who truly believe this is her time to shine bright like a diamond. Her “village” commits to remaining a phone call, text, or email away.
   Blessings to you Dr. Sonia Dinnall, Superintendent of Springfield Public Schools!!! ■