...to say the least!
This year has been an odd one to say the least. From remote
learning to weather to changing safety protocols, you have all handled
everything thrown at you with grace. I am so proud to be the principal of such
a hardworking, flexible staff.
I have been on a few meetings recently that have changed my
thinking. I forget how truly blessed we are to be in such a great district, on
such a great campus, and work with such great educators. In a recent Zoom where
they virtually toured our building, I answered questions about how “I get the
teachers to be collaborative,” I thought to myself- “that is who we are.” We do
not have to spend time convincing each other that collaboration is a positive
piece of learning; we are spending time figuring out how to incorporate
collaboration with the limitations we were under this year. This is not the
case all over; we still have colleagues in the district that are not helping
students learn how to work with and through each other. We believe in this
principle and are growing students who can work in a group, lead a team, share
ideas respectfully; we are not just helping them be successful students, but we
are helping them be successful people.
I know many of us are really looking forward to next year;
Donae and I are already working on plans, but I want to remind everyone of all
the wonderful experiences you created for students this year. We may not have
gotten to do everything we wanted to this year; but talk to your students, ask
them, was this a good year? What was your favorite thing we did this year? What
is something new we did that you think we need to keep doing each year? Our
kids had a great year, they learned, gaps were closed, interests were
peaked…and why? Because of YOU! You all refused to allow limitations to affect
our kids. You refused to allow students to not get the best education you could
possibly give them. It has been a great year and we are going to finish strong!
You are amazing! Do not forget the impact you have on
people’s lives every day- an impact that lasts a lifetime. This year was no
different in that aspect- You made a difference!
