Trustee Series: Meet Dale Lawson
Our Trustee Series continues! Meet Dale Lawson. Dale was first elected as a school board Trustee in 2018. At the time, she was working with United Way, where she held a leadership role focused on making a positive difference in the lives of children and families.
She was encouraged to put her name forward for the role of school Trustee by two people she deeply respected. Their belief in her, along with their confidence in her skills and judgment for this important work, meant a great deal to her and prompted her to reflect on how she could contribute. Ultimately, stepping into the role of school Trustee felt like a natural extension of her work that closely aligned with her personal values and commitment to community service. Read more below!
Q: What do you believe is most important for students to learn in today's world?
A: “I believe the most important thing for students to learn in today’s world is how to define success for themselves. Students need opportunities to understand and embrace technology, recognizing both its power and its limitations while also developing a strong sense of self. Equally important is learning how to build and manage healthy relationships with themselves and with others, and developing the skills needed to fully appreciate, support, and care for those around them.”
Q: What has been your biggest learning since becoming a Trustee?
A: “Since becoming a Trustee, my biggest learning has been just how broad and complex the role truly is. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in many learning experiences, including presentations, keynote speakers, and online learning modules, and in the early days, all of it felt exciting and inspiring. Over time, I’ve come to understand that being an effective Trustee requires humility, curiosity, and a commitment to ongoing growth.
The role itself has shaped how I understand leadership. It has taught me a quiet, disciplined approach, one that is less about authority and more about stewardship. It is about holding something of value in trust, strengthening it, and passing it on better than you found it.”
Q: What are our biggest opportunities as a district?
A: “I believe our biggest opportunity as a district is to build on the strong foundation already in place. We have a capable leadership team, a clear sense of direction, and a shared commitment to student success. The work ahead is about staying the course while sharpening our focus on outcomes, supporting students so their success is reflected in graduation rates and achievement data. Our opportunity is to align our resources, practices, and decisions so that the positive direction we’re heading in translates into measurable results for students across the district.”
Q: What do you think students today need more of—from schools and from the adults around them?
A: “Students today need more attentive, caring adults, both in schools and in their lives more broadly. They need adults who are paying close attention to who they are, what they care about, and how they define success for themselves. When adults take the time to truly observe students’ interests, strengths, and challenges, we’re better able to support their growth, well-being, and learning in meaningful ways.”
Q: If you looked ahead five years, what would you love to see our district known for?
A: “Looking ahead five years, I would love to see our district known for graduating every student and for having removed barriers that create inequities in outcomes and opportunities. Beyond the data, I hope we are known for nurturing young people who are happy, resilient, curious, and optimistic students who feel supported, valued, and prepared for whatever path they choose after graduation.”