For Robert Allard, education has always been a family matter.
“My mom worked as an instructional aide for 32 years in Santa Ana Unified,” he remarked. “Despite the many hours she worked, she still made it a point to instill the importance of education in me.”
Evidently, he took the message to heart, coming to USC Rossier for his undergraduate degree and teaching credential, and then returning for a master’s degree. When it came time for his doctorate, he noted, “There really was no other choice.”
In January, Allard was awarded a scholarship by the Dean’s Superintendents Advisory Group at their annual Awards Dinner, one of three EdD students to be so honored. The group, an association of current and retired superintendents, created the DSAG Endowed Scholarship Fund in 2013 to support aspiring superintendents. Also honored that day for career achievement was former superintendent and Rossier professor Pedro Garcia, a member of Allard’s dissertation committee.
Allard has been principal of Paramount Elementary School in the Azusa Unified School District for six years. In 2014, he was named Azusa administrator of the year. Under his tenure, Paramount Elementary received a CSBA Golden Bell Award for the Response to Intervention process.
“When we started the RTI process, we ran into some challenges,” recalled Allard. “The team however rose to the challenges and thought outside the box to find solutions. We have changed the culture of the school. Students want to read and be here. Each year we improve what we do to serve our students and community. It has been an honor working with such a talented staff over the years. “
For his dissertation, Allard is looking at how superintendents are implementing Common Core. “We need a body of research to examine the effectiveness of implementation, and I hope to contribute to that.”
In addition to Garcia, his dissertation committee comprises chair Rudy Castruita and Michael Escalante. Even in this case, the family theme is recurrent: Dr. Castruita worked with his mother in Santa Ana Unified, and Garcia was his brother’s principal for many years.
Despite the more recent successes, the seeds of his aspiration to be a superintendent may actually have been sown in his earlier Rossier years, working in the Rossier Career Center as a work study student.
“I remember the importance of preparing potential candidate files with their letters of recommendation,” he said. “I recall superintendents telling me about the sense of pride they felt when they saw the gold foil sheets on top of the letters. I knew then the importance of USC and the Rossier family.”
It wasn’t always easy sailing from that day to the present. As he noted, his first year of teaching was tough—however, his belief in the importance of tenacity held him in good stead.
“The right person for a career in education,” he said, “is someone who cares and does not quit.” Now, as he looks toward the role of superintendent, he carefully considers the needs of students and novice teachers much like the one he once was.
“When I become superintendent, I want to make a difference. There are many kids out there who have so much potential, but may not have the resources to realize it or live up to it. I want to spend each day opening doors for them.”
Annual gifts can be made to the DSAG Endowed Scholarship Fund to support future EdD students aspiring to become superintendents. Every gift counts toward the Campaign for the USC Rossier School of Education, and helps increase the endowment. To make a gift, visit rossier.usc.edu/giving.
