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Overview

Joseph Sassone is a national expert in educational leadership to support schools and districts in school transformation. His expertise lies in the development, planning, and delivery of systems thinking, promotion of growth mindsets, and utilization of data for ongoing needs assessments and progress monitoring. He specializes in supporting evidence-based, standards-aligned instruction and delivering targeted coaching, mentoring, and training. In his role, he understands that moving a school forward requires both courage and skill, as it involves encouraging others to change their mindsets, practices, and behaviors—a challenging task given that individuals are often accustomed to being left alone.  

Sassone’s work primarily focuses on addressing the needs of underserved districts and schools nationwide, guiding them through numerous reform challenges using the Four Domains for Rapid School Improvement. Native American schools have faced a myriad of challenges since the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges have been compounded by preexisting issues, exacerbating the difficulties in providing quality education to Native American students. Extensive efforts are underway using the Four Domains for Rapid School Improvement to work with tribal schools, helping them navigate the unique challenges they face emerging from COVID-19 disruptions. 

Prior to joining WestEd, Sassone served as Assistant Superintendent of Vail (Arizona) Unified School District, where he led the district’s accountability reform initiative to increase student achievement. Over 3 years, this initiative moved a rapidly growing school district from mediocrity to one of the highest performing school districts in Arizona. 

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