What Matters Most
What do I think is most important?
Relationships
Meaningful relationships are crucial to the success of schools. Students must feel a personal connection to their school building. It is also important the adults in the building have positive relationships as well. School leader MUST work hard to establish a positive relationship with teachers and staff. People work harder and smarter if they believe their leader cares about them. I think the same can be said for students as well.
Relevant, Rigorous Curriculum
Schools must provide a curriculum that is both relevant and rigorous. If students are engaged with relevant work, they will do well. If they are provided with instruction that is both relevant AND rigorous they will be prepared for true success.
High Quality Teachers
Schools must have high quality teachers. Programs are important and can make a difference but the teacher in the classroom is most the most crucial piece. Your program will never outshine your teachers. Another part of this is allowing your teachers to innovate. Do not hold your teachers back when they want to try something new. We need to encourage our new teachers to use the creativity they might be afraid to let out at first!
Personalized Service
Schools must realize and operate under the understanding that students are our customers. The entire school must revolve around providing personalized service to our #1 customer--kids. I came across and love this quote, but I do not know who to attribute it to.
"It is often pointed out that the railroad industry became obsolete because it operated as if it was in the business of operating trains rather than transporting people."
Community
Schools are an integral part of the community. Schools need to be involved in the community and teach the value of being a good citizen. If kids do not learn this now there is a good chance they never will.
Those are my Top 5. I am sure you agree with some and disagree with others. What did I leave off?
I conducted a grade level meeting today with my 7th grade teachers. It was all about using data. All teachers have a data binder and we reviewed our most recent MAP data and correlated it to our state assessment. I think it went well. Stay tuned for a post on what we are doing with our data books and our data room. See you soon!
