TILLER JR.
Education Leadership
Recommendations&
Testimonials
Testimonial
"Dr. Tiller's proactive approach gave him a unique and comprehensive understanding of the district's challenges and opportunities. He listened intently to the perspectives of educators, parents and community members, gathering insights that informed his decision-making and planning.
Robin Scott,
Executive Director
We All Rise -
African American Resource Center
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Michael Alexander, Chancellor, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I recommend Dr. Claude Tiller for the position of superintendent. Dr. Tiller is a remarkable administrator, educator, and leader. His energy and enthusiasm for helping people realize their potential is exceptional.
There are many things that I can write that make Dr. Tiller unique in his ability to lead, but I will identify a few that I find particularly compelling. First, he has a belief that every child deserves a great education. That in itself is not unusual, but I found few people that are as willing as Dr. Tiller to identify and address the reasons why it may not be happening in a particular situation. He is laser focused not just on discussing obvious problems, but in placing concrete plans in place to address them.
Second, Dr. Tiller has a broad view of education and society and is able to inspire communities to rally behind his efforts to improve learning for K-12 students.
His boundless energy, direct communication style, and empathy are a triple threat. He truly listens to people, hears their concerns, and inspires change to solve entrenched problems. Finally, Dr. Tiller is fearless. He does not fear failure. He only fears not doing everything he can to support students. At a time when it is easy for administrators to shrink away from problems, he leans into them.
I was able to see firsthand the change that Dr. Tiller was creating during his time with the Green Bay Area School District. We hired him right away to work with our education majors at UW-Green Bay because I believe his message is essential for young educators to hear. It is about authentically putting students first in our education systems, inspiring teachers to continually grow, and districts to self- examine their policies and practices for the betterment of all.
We need Dr. Claude Tiller's voice as a leader in K-12 education now. I cannot imagine a better person to help Independent School District 196 Rosemount-Apple Valley Eagan move forward. I would be happy to discuss Dr. Tiller's candidacy further. In my almost 30 years observing leaders in K-12 education, I have never seen anyone with his determination, insight, and ability to get things done in a way that can inspire a community.
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Kyohn Burton, Dean of Students, Harper Woods High School
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend Dr. Claude Tiller Jr. for the position within your esteemed School district. I have worked closely with Dr. Tiller as a colleague at Osborn High School when he was the School Improvement Grant Facilitator.
I have known Dr. Tiller for ten years, and during this time, I have consistently been impressed with his outstanding ability to engage and inspire students and mentor adults. As an educator, Dr.Tiller consistently goes above and beyond to create a stimulating learning environment that fosters academic growth and personal development.
One of Dr. Tiller's greatest strengths is his exceptional instructional and communication skills. He has a genuine passion for education, and his enthusiasm for entering the building changes dynamically.
Dr. Tiller's ability to present complex information clearly and concisely, adapt teaching methods to suit individual learning styles, and encourage student participation is commendable.
Additionally, Dr.Tiller is a natural mentor who takes a vested interest in each student's academic and personal success. I have watched him make a remarkable ability to connect with students and provide guidance and support beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Furthermore, Dr. Tiller's exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail have significantly impacted the overall success of my career as a Dean of Students. He consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, a commitment to excellence, and a focus on continuous improvement. As a mentor to fellow educators, Dr. Tiller willingly shares his expertise and provides guidance and resources that contribute to the growth and development of his colleagues.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Claude Tiller Jr for his dedication, exceptional teaching skills, and unwavering commitment to student success, making him an invaluable asset to any educational institution.
Testimonial
"Dr. Tiller's proactive approach gave him a unique and comprehensive understanding of the district's challenges and opportunities. He listened intently to the perspectives of educators, parents and community members, gathering insights that informed his decision-making and planning.
Robin Scott,
Executive Director
We All Rise -
African American Resource Center
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Michael C. Barclay, Principal, Ecorse High Schools
It is my genuine pleasure to compose this Letter of Recommendation for Dr. Claude Tiller Jr., the former Superintendent of Green Bay Area Public Schools and former Assistant Superintendent of Detroit Public
Schools Community District. Over the span of 27 years, I have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Tiller, and throughout this time, his unwavering commitment to excellence in both work and character has remained
consistently exemplary. Dr. Tiller stands out as one of our most outstanding educators.
As Principal at Ecorse Community High School, earmarked in 2019-2024 for redesign, it was imperative to collaborate with an advanced educator who shared a similar vision, competence, drive, dedication, and
urgency to enhance the quality of education for Ecorse students. Dr. Tiller perfectly embodies these qualities. Beyond mere rhetoric, he lives up to these standards every day. The following highlights only a glimpse of his numerous commitments.
Dr. Tiller consistently champions equity and student learning, enhances teacher capacity, spearheads the district's instructional processes, and actively serves the community.
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Derrick Jones Lopez, Ph.D, Assistant Superintendent
High School Transformation, Detroit Public Schools
I enthusiastically write this letter of recommendation for Dr. Claude Tiller, who formerly served as my colleague here in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. I served alongside Dr. Tiller when he supervised high schools in the Office of High School Transformation. During our time together, I have witnessed an educator with the intellect, work ethic, and character that would serve any district well.
Dr. Tiller is very bright. When a problem arises, he seeks first to understand the dynamics of the situation and the objective(s) sought. Dr. Tiller listens well and then asks probing questions to glean the essence of the challenge that presents itself. He then charts a course of action, considering the several factors that are at play. For example, during our first academic year together, as we returned from the pandemic to full in-person learning, Dr. Tiller became immersed in our high school data, and he literally papered the walls of our office with that data.
Whenever a challenge arose, we would turn to the data and seek to identify the root causes of the particular challenge. During those discussions, we would chart courses of action to improve academic growth and proficiency, to fight chronic absenteeism and to reduce disciplinary referrals. Once a plan was adopted, Dr. Tiller would move to execute those plans with all deliberate speed. As a result of his actions, each of the schools that he supervised showed improvement across all data points, and the high schools outpaced district achievement among all of the district schools.
Dr. Tiller utilized a diverse range of communication styles to convey the school's vision with integrity to all stakeholders, successfully engaging teaching and administrative staff in aligning programs, policies, and procedures.Integral to the cultivation of our school's culture, Dr. Tiller consistently acknowledges and celebrates theaccomplishments, successes, and contributions of all stakeholders.
Fostering relationships, he plans,shapes, and implements inclusive and equitable instructional programs, contributing to the creation of adistrict culture that supports professional development and staff reflection. Dr. Tiller ensures opportunities are created and barriers removed to guarantee the success of all students. Dr. Tiller has fostered a culture that values continuous evaluation and honest feedback to ensure learning for both staff and students.
Dr. Tiller's work ethic and dedication are beyond reproach. He generously dedicated his time to workingwith the Wayne County Sheriff Department as a Lieutenant.In his decades of service to the Education Community, Dr. Claude Tiller Jr. has made invaluablecontributions. It is with pride that I offer him my wholehearted recommendation.
Dr. Tiller is a tireless worker. The Detroit Public Schools Community District places a great deal of responsibility on its Assistant Superintendents who serve as principal leaders. They are expected to supervise multiple buildings, and they have a range of tasks to which they must attend daily. Dr. Tiller was a principal leader, who worked in each of his buildings coaching and leading his principals towards the common goal of raising student achievement. Moreover, Assistant Superintendents are charged with safeguarding the culture and climate of their schools, collaborating with each administrative team to ensure that each building is conducive to learning and that each student has a sense of belonging.
Dr. Tiller further supervised the management of numerous building-based budgets, ensuring accountability through observation and evaluation while maintaining fiscal solvency. Dr. Tiller moved seamlessly among these various roles and functions, each day. Moreover, when a new, and often unanticipated, project is placed before him, Dr. Tiller is often the first to complete the task, often exceeding the expectations of the Superintendent and Executive Cabinet.
Finally, Dr. Tiller is a man of good character and principles. The work that he is able to accomplish emanates from a core of deep resolve to do his best for the people that he is charged to serve and to lead. Dr. Tiller has high expectations, and he leads and guides the people around him to achieve those objectives he sets by modelling those very standards he sets in his own language and actions.
For each of these reasons, it is my pleasure to give Dr. Tiller my recommendation for a leadership position in your school district and/or system. If you are looking for an educator of sound intelligence who approaches the work with energy, tenacity and integrity, your organization would be served well by adding Dr. Tiller to your team.