Testimonials

"There is almost nothing I can say that will accurately describe the effort we at Tri-Creek have seen from Dr. Howe. After 39 years in public education, Dr. Howe retired this year. She used strategic planning to turn Tri-Creek School Corporation into a real world 21st century school corporation, instituted one to one technology corporation wide, created a hiring process that brought passionate and innovative employees to Tri-Creek, developed the foundation and assessment model for a career pathway program that was subsequently adopted baby the Indiana Department of Education, substantially increased Tri-Creeks college credit programs and brought outstanding programs to Tri-Creek all while being in the bottom 10% of the State of Indiana funding."

"The result of the changes in the school took our graduation rate above 90 and it has stayed there since Dr. Howe went to Tri Creek. In my mind that is the strongest measure of success as the sustained higher level was a result of basic operation - not a result of a single person. The things like the Balanced Calendar we implemented at Dr. Howe's request has continued, along with project based learning, 6 by 6 etc. and all are evidence that Dr. Howe changed the school and the mindset that had to change in order to achieve permanent success."

"If school leaders are looking for a person who led and lived dynamic change, Dr. Debra Howe is the best leader I know to bring the experience and expertise to your school corporation.  My own experience as a building administrator was one of isolation and frustration for the lack of resources and support to enact meaningful change.

Under Dr. Howe, I learned systemic, focused, productive educational change in curriculum, instruction, calendar, and scheduling.  Our efforts were always collaborative starting with students and ending with school board members.  Our goals were student-results driven.  We received support through budgeting, expertise, and research.  Perhaps most importantly, building leaders received emotional support from Dr. Howe.  We never worked harder or achieved more student growth in our educational lives. Dr. Howe created the climate that allowed our success."

"In my professional time with Dr. Howe, I have witnessed her work collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders to achieve a student centered vision.  She strategically planned each initiative only after gathering the needs of the students from the perspective of connected stakeholders.  Those stakeholders then each had a representative at the table through implementation.

One specific example to demonstrate Dr. Howe’s leadership, was after entering the superintendency in Tri-Creek, she implemented project-based learning in a 1:1 computing environment based on the community needs assessments she conducted.  This instructional model with the supporting technology tools required many changes from the current practice.  Dr. Howe’s commitment to providing all the human, financial, and professional development resources necessary for this change process to occur resulted in a successful shift in practices.  It also resulted in student-led service and impact in the community.  

An 8th grade project presentation on alternative energy led to the largest solar panel array at an educational institution in Indiana.  The Tri-Creek solar panel project provides on-site educational opportunities for students, demonstrates best environmental practices, and also shifted utility costs. These changes have direct impact on the classroom and overall savings for the district."

"Dr. Howe is a true leader. Ever since we met in early 2015, Dr. Howe’s vision translating into a strategy that was all about improving the Tri-Creek school corporation and the local community. Our starting point was focuced on implementing a project by Middle School students. The students had presented their findings about renewable energy to the school board and Dr. Howe turned this into a very special mission. From the outset, she had a vision how solar energy could become a core strategy for the school corporation in terms of economic savings (equating to funding for additional teachers), as well as intgrating solar into the curriculum at various levels in the schools. Executing this mission, Dr. Howe was very hands on in her approach. Taking her team to regional renewable energy leaders to learn, forging partnerships to accelerate the cause, and speaking out for the IN school community by articulating the rationale against Senate Bill 309 in Indianapolis. This leadership has been truly inspirational and it will benefit the Tri-Creek school for the next few decades as the solar energy projects will deliver tremendous economic benefits to the school corporation and Lowell community."

"I have had the good fortune of working for Dr. Debra Howe on a consulting basis and can attest to her excellent leadership abilities in clearly articulating vision and direction, with broad-range thinking.

She begins with the end in mind, listens intently with empathy and understanding, understands perceived limitations, but works diligently to overcome obstacles. Dr. Howe is resourceful, seeing no obstacles, only opportunities.

She is collaborative and affiliative with all, no matter the level of employee on the organizational flowchart.  She questions for understanding, is a process thinker, and requires accountability for commitment while maintaining agreed upon timelines.

Her leadership ability is evident in her including of all interested stakeholders, providing necessary resources while supporting and guiding them to solutions. She is committed to getting the job done on time, within budget, to the satisfaction of the agreed upon objectives and celebrates success by giving credit where credit is due, almost modest in receiving praise for her efforts in the process. She is truly a model for servant leadership in every sense.

On a personal note, she is kind and considerate, positive and encouraging, and was a pleasure to work for and with while she was Superintendent at the Tri-Creek School Corporation."

"Dr. Debra Howe is an accomplished educator and district leader who is a tremendous resource and thorough partner for the New Tech Network (NTN). I have worked with Dr. Howe over the last decade, as she led two school districts through transformation, focusing the entire school community on new outcomes for student success. Dr. Howe masterfully built the capacity of school teams and engaged her school boards in understanding the complexity of transforming teaching and learning.
Dr. Howe delivered valuable insights on funding school innovation and spreading Deeper Learning across a district. One area of considerable strength for Dr. Howe is her experience in strategic planning with school boards and school leadership teams, which she translated to a number of key messages and recommendations to reach more education leaders through conferences and other partnership opportunities. Dr. Howe delivered the perspective we needed; she is a tremendous resource for organizations and districts who are engaged in strategic planning and need the support of a caring, thoughtful, and experienced district leader."