Ken Warner: 33 Years of Leadership and Impact at the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

In 1988, Ken Warner embarked on a remarkable journey with the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (WLAC), dedicating himself to the support and growth of our vibrant community's business leaders. For an impressive 33 years, Ken held the distinguished role of President, a tenure that commands respect and admiration.

Over the course of his three-decade leadership, Ken created meaningful connections both locally and across the state of Minnesota, earning a well-deserved reputation as a highly regarded leader. His commitment to service has been instrumental in shaping the Chamber's positive reputation. Throughout Ken's tenure, he led and supported various programs aimed at enhancing the business community.

Among the notable initiatives under Ken's guidance were:

• Business Education Network (BEN): 

• This visionary program aimed to empower the future workforce of Willmar by equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of career opportunities and aligning their skills with the demands of the job market. By bridging the gap between employers, students, and educational providers, BEN contributed to the region's economic vitality.

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• GrowMinnesota! Partnership: 

• As the cornerstone of Minnesota's private-sector-led business retention and assistance efforts, this partnership involving over 90 local chambers and economic development organizations has been instrumental in fostering business growth across the state. Ken played a pivotal role in conducting confidential site visits to businesses, gathering essential data, and devising innovative solutions to address business challenges.

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• Leadership Perspectives: 

• Designed to cultivate effective community leaders with vision and insight, this program offered a diverse range of sessions covering vital topics such as teamwork, diversity, government, health, education, and entrepreneurship. Ken's leadership played a crucial role in empowering future leaders to navigate our region's challenges.

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• neXt: 

• Focused on nurturing young talent and developing the next generation of leaders, neXt, a local organization, attracted and retained young adults within the community. Under Ken's guidance, this initiative provided valuable networking opportunities, skill-building activities, and leadership development programs.

Ken's legacy as a dependable leader of the Chamber will undoubtedly be felt deeply by all. While we bid farewell to his tenure, we welcome James Miller as the new Chamber President, knowing that he is more than capable of upholding the tradition of exceptional leadership. Indeed, he faces some tall pants to fill, both literally and figuratively.

The Heart of Leadership: Empathetic Listening in Educational Leadership

 “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you
listen, you may learn something new.” Dalai Lama

In the world of education, leadership isn't just about making decisions and setting policies; it's about connecting with people, understanding their needs, and fostering an environment where every student, teacher, and staff member can thrive. One of the most powerful tools in a school district leader's toolkit is empathetic listening.

The Power of Empathetic Listening

Empathetic listening is more than just hearing words; it's about deeply understanding the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of others. In the context of school district leadership, this skill is indispensable. Here's why it matters:

1. Building Trust through Empathetic Listening: 

Empathetic listening serves as the cornerstone for trust within any organization, and in the context of educational leadership, it is essential. When people feel genuinely heard and understood, the seed of trust are sown, fostering the growth of a collaborative and highly productive learning and working environment.

Throughout my leadership journey, I have made a conscious effort to hone the art of empathic listening (at times I’ve failed). I’ve not only heard people but actively sought to understand their thoughts and feelings. It’s important to note that the perception of not being heard can sometimes be intertwined with disagreements. It’s a common misconception that disagreement equates to being unheard. In reality, if often signifies a difference in perspectives rather than a failure to listen.

2. Inclusivity and Equity: 

Every student and staff member comes from a unique background with distinct needs. Empathetic listening allows leaders to recognize and address these diverse experiences, promoting inclusivity and equity in education.

3. Problem-Solving: 

Effective leaders are problem solvers. Empathetic listening not only helps identify issues but also reveals their underlying causes. By understanding these root causes, leaders can develop more targeted and effective solutions. 

4. Employee Morale: 

Teachers and staff who feel valued and heard are more likely to be motivated and satisfied in their roles. This, in turn, contributes to higher morale and better overall performance.

5. Parent and Community Engagement: 

Listening to parents and community members builds strong partnerships. It shows that the district is committed to collaboration and values their input, which can lead to increased involvement and support.

Practical Tips for Empathetic Listening

So, how can school district leaders practice empathetic listening effectively? Here are some practical tips:

1. Be Present:
Give your full attention when someone is speaking. Put away distractions, maintain eye contact, and use body language that conveys interest and openness.

2. Ask Open-Ended Questions: 

Encourage dialogue by asking open-ended questions that invite deeper conversation. For example, instead of asking, "Is everything okay?" you could ask, "Can you tell me more about your concerns?"

3. Show Empathy: 

Express understanding and empathy through your words and body language. Phrases like, "I can see why you'd feel that way," convey empathy and validation.

4. Avoid Interruptions: 

Resist, at all costs, the urge to interrupt or finish someone's sentences. Allow them to express themselves fully before responding. If you’re listening to respond, you aren’t listening. There is nothing more irritating than trying to communicate with someone who isn’t willing to let you finish (end of rant).

5. Reflect and Summarize: 

Periodically reflect what you've heard to ensure you understand correctly. This shows that you're actively engaged in the conversation.

6. Take Action: 

Empathetic listening should lead to action. Once you've gathered insights, take steps to address concerns, implement changes, or offer support where needed. Oftentimes, when I am approached with concerns and/or feedback I’ll often ask the person what role I should be playing.

1. Am I simply listening?

2. Do you want me to listen and offer you suggestions for support?

3. Am I listening and taking action?

By asking those three questions, it is incredibly helpful to understand my role in the conversation.

In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, the ability to empathetically listen is a vital leadership skill. It builds trust, promotes inclusivity, and empowers leaders to make informed decisions that benefit the entire school community. By placing empathetic listening at the core of their leadership approach, school district leaders can create an environment where everyone can learn and grow to their full potential.

Enrollment Updates and New Faces: Willmar Public Schools, 2023

As we embark on our third week of the school year, the excitement is palpable, especially with homecoming just around the corner this Friday. With the academic wheels in full motion, we believe it is imperative to keep our community informed about the latest developments within our district, spanning from enrollment updates to fresh faces on our staff and other noteworthy details. 

In this year’s initial enrollment count, we proudly welcomed 4,061 eager students to Willmar Public

Schools. While this figure is slightly less than our headcount of 4,084 students on October 1, 2022, we are happy to report a positive turn of events as we concluded the second week, seeing our enrollment grow to 4,091. The significance of enrollment in school districts cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts the funding received from both state and federal sources. The trend of enrollment growth is positive.

It is worth noting that our experience at Willmar Public Schools has shown a consistent pattern where enrollment at the close of the school year often falls short of the initial count at the beginning of the academic year. This experience can be attributed to a variety of factors, with recent instances demonstrating a decline due to families relocating.

Willmar Public Schools enthusiastically welcomed 76 new staff members to our school district this year. The largest contingency of the new employees were 26 teachers and 26 paraprofessionals. We currently have 34 positions available. The breakdown of available positions is as follows:

Athletics/Activities - 2

Early Childhood/ABE Teachers - 3

Food Service - 5

High School Teaching - 3

Special Education Teachers - 2

Student Support Services - 6

Substitute - 2

Support Staff - 10

Tutors - 1

We would love for you to join our team. If you are interested in joining our outstanding employees, please visit our employment website at https://bit.ly/4635BeY. 

In closing, we want to assure you that we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience for our students, regardless of enrollment fluctuation and staffing challenges. We look forward to the continued support and collaboration of our dedicated community as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the current academic year!