A Family Affair of the Highest Order -
Peter Dion, Superintendent of Schools

by Bernie Fratto
October 2005
 

Everything you need to know about Novi Community Schools Superintendent Peter Dion can be summed up during an experience he had as a freshman at Western Michigan University.

As part of 113 players ‘walking-on,’ trying to earn a spot on the Varsity football roster, he was one of four that survived the cuts, making the team as a backup quarterback…The odds of making a Division I roster as a walk-on are slim, but a coach might keep a player if he can make everyone around them better.

He learned a lot from that experience, most notably, that in life it was all about “being part of a team.” “Working together, being connected,” those would be the essential elements that would ensure success in all walks of life, especially in the world of education and academia.

After graduating from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in Education, and then earning his Master of Arts in Early Childhood/K-12 Administration at Wayne State University, he taught 4th and 1st grades his first four years out of college.

“I really wanted to figure out how 1st graders learned to read!” Dion exclaimed. And at the young age of 26, Dion also endeavored to be a School Principal, and he did just that in Allegan, Michigan for 6 years, gaining invaluable experience.

Novi is actually his 7th District, and his odyssey has taken him from Grand Rapids to Grosse Ille and along the way, his mission has never changed: “I want kids to learn for life,” he stated.

As such, as the Superintendent, the best thing about Dion’s job is “that I get to interact and stay in touch with everyone.” “From elementary to middle school, to high school, the athletic departments, fine arts, parents, families, and in fact the entire community.”

Peter Dion is emphatic when he says the classroom teacher is perhaps the most important component in the chain. “A classroom teacher is the most important job, because a teacher can really help a student reach his/her potential and help them with a roadmap to get there”

And as a cohesive unit, Dion wants all of his employees happy. He sees tremendous resources in the City of Novi, and he clearly feels he is very fortunate to be here. In his role, he greatly endeavors to help students realize a high level of achievement and is always available to assist in addressing any and all issues pertaining to the pursuit of excellence in all educational endeavors.

He considers communication to be of paramount importance, and he strives to keep lines of communication open with everybody, and is very quick to note that, “a big part of communication is listening.”

To that end he knows that kids enjoy school primarily because they place such a high premium on spending quality time with their friends. Their friends are in truth, part of their “extended family.”

And, Dion feels as strongly about family as he does about children and their education. In fact, growing up Dion was part of a large family that included 8 kids. In addition, the house was always full of nieces, nephews, cousins, and the times he cherished most growing up were times spent with his immediate and “extended family.”

Being part of an extended family provided the impetus for Dion to pursue his degrees in the field of education, and of course it was the driving force for his desire to do it for a living as well.

As such, he’s done great things over the years to combine family activities with educational pursuits.

In Grand Rapids, he instituted ‘Family Fun Nights, and ‘Tailgate Parties’ and he organized and coordinated involvement from parents to help plan and sponsor these events. He also introduced an annual “Just me and My Dad Breakfast” and 74% of those that could attend, did attend!

In addition, he established the first PTO “Special Needs Committee” that provided help and information to parents of students with special needs.

The theme has been constant during Peter Dion’s 3+ decade career: Open and effective communication between staff, parents, and students, ensuring the best possible environment for learning while maintaining the all-important family atmosphere. This philosophy paved the way for other important aspects as well, like technology applications, proactive labor relations, and curriculum development.

In his short tenure as Superintendent of Novi Community Schools, Peter Dion has been like a quarterback, calling plays, executing a game plan and of course, keeping his team and his teammates in position to win at all times. “My job is to help students be the best they can be,” Dion reminded

He’s not only been a valued family member, he’s served as the head of the family, gracefully and humbly, with honor and distinction.

Once again, Peter Dion has made the team.

And, he’s making everyone around him better...