2020 USA-Kansas Outstanding
Service Award
USA-Kansas is pleased to announce Dr. Randy Watson has been selected as the 2020 USA-Kansas Outstanding Service Award recipient. Over the past five years, Randy has served as the Education Commissioner for Kansas. Prior to his responsibilities in Topeka, Watson served as Superintendent for McPherson USD 418. During his career, he has worked tirelessly supporting students, teachers, and leaders in the state. In 2015 he was recognized by the Kansas School Superintendents’ Association as the Superintendent of the Year.
Dr. Watson first joined USA-Kansas in 1987 when he first made the move from the classroom to administration as an Assistant Principal at Concordia High School. Watson moved to the principal's role at Concordia in 1990 and completed his Doctor of Education degree from Kansas State University. In 1993 he moved to McPherson as the Asst. Superintendent and a few years later he was named Superintendent in McPherson. It should also be noted that between 1992 and 2009 Waston worked with Kansas State University and Wichita State University as an adjunct professor teaching a variety of Educational Leadership classes.
Earning his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University, Randy started his career in education teaching history and coaching in Tescott before later moving to Andover to continue his teaching career.
During Watson’s tenure as Commissioner, he and his team have worked to reimagine Kansas Education, from the daily structure of the school day to assessments, accreditation, and licensure. Yet, when the pandemic reached Kansas it was Watson who worked with educational leaders, teachers, and the Governor’s office to coordinate programming for our PreK-12 schools. Within days of closing the physical doors to Kansas schools, Dr. Watson and his teams had embraced educators from around the state to develop a plan to get students and teachers back to learning. While other states struggled with statewide coordination of a plan, it was the Navigating Change plan developed by Kansas educators that became a guiding example for others to follow.
Under the Umbrella
During the 2018-2019 membership year, USA-Kansas launched a new online publication for Kansas Administrators, Under the Umbrella. The Magazine contains articles, stories, and pictures from Kansas schools, programs, and events. In 2019-2020, our goal was to increase the content with more member experiences. In 2020-2021 and moving forward we want this to be a resource for your leadership need.
The intent of this publication is to provide one more method of connecting Kansas leaders with successful programs and activities. If you are interested in sharing about a program in school please contact Jerry Henn (jhenn@usakansas.org). He can provide you with more information.
MISSION
Developing and uniting educational leaders to support and advocate for the success of every Kansas student.
BOARD MEETING
DATES
September 6, 2019
October 18, 2019
January 24, 2020
March 11, 2020
May 4, 2020
TELL US
VISIT US
1420 SW Arrowhead Rd., Suite 100 Topeka, KS 66604
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Closed Saturday - Sunday
CONTACT US
Tel. 785-232-6566
Fax 785-232-9776
1420 SW Arrowhead Rd., Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66604
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
G.A. BUIE
USA-KANSAS AFFILIATES
USA-Kansas is a statewide "umbrella" organization comprised of members of ten school administrator associations. We represent more than 2,000 individual administrators statewide.
ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
