Tuesday, August 25, 2015

What is Your Charge in the Year Ahead?

If you had to sum up your school year charge in a few words, what would you say?

I think a great summary is this:

Work with your collegial team to design and implement an inspiring, dynamic, collaborative, standards-based program with and for students that teaches children well and treats them with kindness and care.

Then if asked, "What are the ingredients to getting this job done?"

I'd respond:
  • A collegial team right sized for optimal collaboration
  • Standards
  • Tools, resources, and an adequate (or better) learning environment
  • Time to collaborate
  • Necessary supports (as determined by student and program needs)
Then if leaders asked, "How can we help?"

I'd respond that it's important to lead those collegial conversations about what we do and why we do it. It's important to foster regular, meaningful share of ideas, and provide necessary supports. Further it's vital that our programs altogether provide students with a strong, caring foundation of academic, social, emotional, and physical strength and promise.

So as I embark on this charge, I'm ready for the next layer of pre-school prep which is working with my collegial team to organize the year's plans and initial set-up and communication to welcome the students with kindness, purpose, and enthusiasm.