Approaching her sixth year as Deputy Superintendent of Northview, Liz Cotter has set her sights on a new adventure.
This June, she will depart for Costa Rica to take up an administrative position with her husband at an international school. Their two daughters will attend the school as well.
“It has long been a goal of my husband and I to take our family abroad and immerse ourselves in new learning, new cultures and new experiences,” Cotter said. “It’s an adventure we can’t pass up.”
She will be the Director of Teaching/Learning at the new school. This means that she can continue many of the duties she currently has, including overseeing district staff and the curriculum.
“I think there are not a lot of professions that are as impactful and important as public education,” Cotter said. “I find a lot of meaning in my work. I get to work with some incredible educators, support staff, and administrators, all of whom also believe that their work has an impact.”
High School Principal Mark Thomas is just one of the many people with whom Cotter works. He first recruited Cotter as a social studies teacher in 2007. He later recommended her for an administrative position at Forest Hills Central High School and eventually welcomed her into her current position.
“I believe her teaching experience was very valuable to her, but if you know Cotter at all, you quickly realize that she has a strong inner drive for change, challenge and new adventures,” Thomas said. “It fills a personal and professional need for her.”
He names a few of her contributions to Northview as her efforts to adopt a learning management platform, a new teacher evaluation model and leading the district’s Title IX efforts.
Thomas reflects on how much she has grown over the years, and the imprint she has left on him personally.
“Throughout her journey she has remained in touch with me to ask advice or share her experiences,” Thomas said. “As much as I hope that I have helped her in some small way, I can say she has helped me improve because of her strong sense of social justice and engagement in lively dialogue and debate without making it personal. She has made me a better principal because of those valuable traits she possesses.”
Teacher and Teacher Association President Shelli Tabor—who teaches AP Research and AP Seminar—acknowledges Cotter’s professionalism in resolving conflicts.
“We’ve developed a mutual respect,” Tabor said. “I can call her and [I know] she’s going to be fair and listen to my side of things. It’s not always exactly what I want, it’s not always exactly what she wants. She’s good at compromise.”
Tabor also took notice of Cotter’s dependability streak.
“Every Sunday, we get a staff update about what’s going on for the week. She’s very seldom missed it,” Tabor said. “She takes care of that stuff, no matter if she’s on vacation or gone for the weekend.”
With Cotter’s exit, Tabor is interested to “see how the new person goes,” especially in the process of figuring out their work style. She and Thomas agree they’ll have big shoes to fill.
“Our district is better off than it was when she joined us,” Thomas said. “[Superintendent] Dr. Korpak now has an opportunity to hit a homerun by finding the next talented individual to join our team.”
Dr. Korpak offered the role as Deputy Superintendent to current Wayland Union Schools Superintendent Dr. Christina Hinds. Hinds accepted, and resigns from Wayland in June, when Cotter’s contract ends.
While keeping the transition as smooth as possible, Cotter remains unafraid of change. If the move to Costa Rica doesn’t work out, she may return to Northview after her contract ends there. She may even travel somewhere else.
Either way, she anticipates that the experience will be anything but boring.
“I would like to learn to surf while we are there. We hope to spend as much time as we can outside, exploring the jungles, volcanoes and beaches,” Cotter said. “I want to learn how schools operate in Costa Rica, and what it’s like living in a Costa Rican neighborhood. I don’t know any of that, so I’m really excited to learn.”
