GRAY – Victoria Burns slipped into her role as interim superintendent for SAD 15 last month following the early departure of Michael Wood, who accepted a similar post in central Massachusetts.

Burns was named by the 11-member school board for the one-year interim post.

For now, Burns, a four-year veteran of Gray and New Gloucester schools, is wearing two hats: one in her former role as curriculum coordinator and the other in her new job as the top administrator for the 2000-student school department.

Soon, she hopes to be relieved of the curriculum post for the year, which she has held for two years. But, the momentum of aligning SAD 15’s curriculum with the Maine’s Learning Results and meeting federal guidelines of No Child Left Behind is not likely to pause for her. And, Burns is driven with her work with curriculum and learning.

SAD 15 is developing local assessments on the cusp of aligning its curriculum, says Burns. “Teachers are working this summer for good programs in the elementary science and social studies curriculums and assessments,” she said. “There is going to be a curriculum in place to give all students a fair shot for what they have to do. It is up to teachers to deal with diversification.”

Burns says the shift to assessment-based curriculums will be difficult initially for parents to understand, but the changes are for the better for guaranteeing successful student outcome. The overall goal is to prepare students to meet graduation requirements. Every content area is subject to at least eight to 12 assessments during a student’s school years.

The school board must come up with financial resources and policies to match that expectation, says Burns.

“We have a wonderful veteran staff (in SAD 15) at every grade level.”

Burns’ professional journey brought her through many hoops to reach her current post. Raised in a rural town in Missouri, she moved to Maine with her husband and together they raised three sons. A former educational technician, she went back to college and earned two master’s degrees.

Eventually she became a special education teacher and director; a elementary school principal and four years ago, the principal of Gray-New Gloucester Middle School.

In her four years with SAD 15 she has been a middle school principal, curriculum coordinator and now interim superintendent.

Her diverse experience drives her belief in the importance of community support for the success of schools.

“Without community support and understanding, we can’t do it (the job) without good will of people working together.

“We can compromise, problem solve and come up with what’s in the best interest of children. Good problem-solvers are good collaborators.”

Victoria Burns takes her new post seriously, though it’s a one-year slot.

She says she will decide in time if she wants to be a permanent candidate for the job. It’s a first-time role for her and she says she needs time “to see” if the complexity of the role suits her.

“I have always had a desire to prove myself and a tremendous work ethic. My mind always is busy with creative energy that loves to problem solve,” says Burns.