Ex-CCSD leader Stephens settles into new spot in Nebraska

Summer Stephens has said her “goodbyes” and packed up her office.

The former Churchill County School District superintendent accepted the associate superintendent position at the Grand Island Public Schools in Grand Island, Nebraska.

“The role is kind of developing and morphing,” she said of the associate superintendent position. “I’m really excited. I believe I’m going to be supporting and overseeing the Career and Technical Education program.”

Although she will be 1,500 miles away, Stephens said she will keep up with CCSD in addition to following her former school district in Wyoming.

Stephens decided to return to Nebraska where her family lives and where she attended Doane College and then the University of Nebraska where she earned her doctorate degree in education. She and her husband Bert have a daughter attending college in Nebraska.

During their June meeting, the school board recognized Stephens for her service to the district with speeches, an awards presentation and cake. The board presented Stephens with an etched glass award that reads, “Making a Difference: This is awarded to Dr. Summer Stephens for your loyal dedication and unwavering commitment. Thank you for your outstanding contribution toward our goals and for making our organization stand above the rest. 2018-2023.”

Acting Clerk Kathryn Whitaker said, in part, “Five years ago the board was looking for someone who would help us fix the way we looked at education and success for our students. You did exactly what we asked you to do and then some. Your positive influence in the district and state cannot be overstated.”

Newly selected CCSD Superintendent Derild Parsons also commended Stephens for her strong influence on things that are happening at the state level. As an example, he mentioned attending a presentation of the “Profile of a Learner” program currently in development by the State of Nevada. He said that he felt the program wouldn’t be in progress without her work.

Stephens said she was originally drawn to Churchill County School District because of the work the district was already doing with personalized learning.

Churchill County Middle School was one of four schools in Nevada to join the competency-based education pilot program in 2018. Churchill County School District then expanded the program across all of the schools in 2019.

The learning system encourages each student to work at their own pace, moving on from a lesson only when they understand it.

When the pandemic hit in March 2020 teachers used the learning guides they had designed for the program to create accelerated six-week courses presented in classes of 85 minutes a day.

During her tenure in Churchill County, she as selected as the Nevada Superintendent of the Year.

“I always feel like it’s my job to illuminate and elevate the place that I am,” Stephens said.

Stephens said it was an honor to be recognized by her peers and that the award has given her an opportunity to put Churchill County in the spotlight. Stephens will attend a recognition gala at the White House in Washington, D.C., this November.

Not only did she achieve a state honor, but she also guided the school district to national recognition.

The school district became a Purple Star district, the first in the stare. This means the Churchill County School District was recognized as a district that makes things comfortable and welcoming for military children.

Most military dependent students have parents who are either retired or stationed at Naval Air Station Fallon. The area is also home to a Nevada Army National Guard armory.

Since the school board meetings are streamed online, she also recalls her parents telling her they had watched the discussions from their home in Nebraska.

Stephens said her tenure in Fallon also was challenging because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and the district’s reaction to restrictions placed on schools in the state by the governor’s office.

Stephens guided Churchill through two years of an innovative hybrid remote and in-person model of learning and then through the transition back to full-time, face-to-face instruction. She said she was proud the district had responded in a way that continued learning happening along with ensuring student and staff safety.

"We included a lot of voices when we made those decisions. We were very transparent. And all of those things combined helped build trust with the community, with the families and with the staff,” she said. “I will remember the impact that I believe I helped to contribute to in that way.”