For the duration of March, Women’s History Month takes place. March 8th was International Women’s Day. With the celebration of women around the country and world throughout March the amount of influential and powerful women in the Truckee Tahoe region is something that doesn’t go unnoticed. This is the first in a two part series focused on women in leadership roles in the Tahoe Truckee Area.
Through the long hallway of the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District office, tucked in a corner of the building, sits the Superintendent’s office. Surrounded by bright yellow walls, sunlight from the modest windows gleams off a large conference table in the center of the room. Kerstin Kramer, the superintendent of Tahoe Truckee Unified School District sits at the head of the table. Kramer is an example of a powerful and inspirational woman in the area. Kramer has three decades of experience in education and has worked hard to be in the position she is in now.
Her eloquent gentle manner is perfectly represented in her soft spoken and articulate way of speaking. She created a welcoming and warm atmosphere with excitement and readiness to speak about her experiences.
Starting off as a middle school teacher in Washington state, she learned of her love to teach not only children but also adults. Her ability to lead was seen by many mentors. With the encouragement of moving up from teacher to principal and with support from her family, school and husband, Kramer went back to school to get credentials to be a principal. “I had mentors, like a principal that I worked with that encouraged me. [They] said, you’re really good at teaching but you’re really good at organizing, facilitating, and getting people to feel comfortable and talk.”
She then had an opportunity to get a teacher leadership role. With a series of internships and work studies, Kramer had the opportunity to be a Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA). With that, she was able to work with and support students from kindergarten to 12th grade. “I was intentional in my schooling that I was prepared to teach any level,” Kramer says. But she felt called the most to elementary students. “I love working with elementary students, I love working with elementary staff.” She went on to “geek out” about every aspect of elementary school learning and teaching. From integration of all subjects to being able to teach every subject. She enjoyed that age group. Her passion and love for teaching students was in elementary school.
After moving to Truckee for educational opportunities for her kids, Kramer got a position at Glenshire Elementary. The superintendent then, Dr. Rob Leary, was one of the people who mentioned the superintendent role to Kramer and helped her with the credentials and opportunities to move forward in her career and the path to superintendent.
Something that Kramer used in her life was openness to every possibility. “It is always good to stay open to opportunities and not just say ‘no’,” Kramer says.
There were so many people along the way who aided Kramer on her path to where she is now. Not only people in the educational industry, but also her family, and husband especially. Kramer acknowledges that her family’s flexibility and sacrifices made her career pathway possible. “I am so grateful for all of the support I had.”
A position opened in the superintendent cabinet after Superintendent Carmen Gisles left sooner than anticipated for personal reasons. The position of superintendent was open and there was simply put, a unanimous decision from the School Board for Kramer to take on the position. Because of her strong connections with the board, Kramer and the board members (who are elected officials that serve terms, essentially the superintendent’s five bosses) felt confident in the superintendent position.
The hierarchy in a school district is simple, there are the board members who set policies for the district and they direct the superintendent, who then directs the staff of the district and each school. The superintendent has an executive cabinet.
In a tight-knit region like the Tahoe-Truckee, there is a sense of community and even family, unlike any other place. Kramer reflects that there is so much collaboration and camaraderie that is a part of the job and every aspect of being part of the community.
Kramer’s advice for young girls and women is: “If they believe they can do it, they can achieve it. Barriers we have is our own mindset. As you continue to develop leadership skills. A lot of it is managing your own internal dialogue and thoughts. And really spend time reflecting on [your] strengths and personality.”
There are so many positives to the job that Kramer does now. From connections to everyone in the community to making a difference in every aspect of academics and schooling that she can, she has proved to be an immense demonstration of being a powerful and thoughtful leader, as well as an inspiration to young girls and women. “When I was born in the 70s there were more limits and more expectations. Yes, we have made so many strides, but the one thing that we are still grappling with is the family roles at home.” In a 2021 study from Pew Research Center, statistics show, “A majority of women (59%) say they do more household chores than their spouse or partner, while 6% say their spouse or partner does more. Among men, a plurality (46%) say these responsibilities are shared about equally, while 20% say they do more and 34% say their spouse or partner does more.” Kramer’s husband acting as a stay at home dad helped her further advance in her career.
Kramer’s inspiration sprouts from her sister and the example that her older sister was able to set for her. “I just saw her continue to achieve, she has always been an inspiration of what’s possible, as a woman.” In light of Women’s Month, Kramer reflects on her goals and mentions what an exciting time it is to be a woman. “I am benefiting from all of the female leadership in the community. No one thinks twice about the role. I am benefitting from years and years of people breaking through barriers. We have made a lot of progress.”