Creating a Culture of Learning

As a self-proclaimed BEAST (Be Enthusiastic About Students and Teaching), I am relentlessly focused on my own personal and professional growth and development. I am curious and one of those people who wants to know "why". I always wanted to be a good teacher, and continually engaged in professional learning opportunities that enabled me to enhance my practice and in turn, increase student learning.  I knew that the more effective I was, the better I could be for my kids. As I entered into administration, I continued to take advantage of every learning opportunity that came my way. Teacher development became a major focus of my practice.

Research says: The most important factor in a school that contributes to student success is a high quality teacher. Quality teaching matters. The second is the principal. Quality leadership matters. 

My assumptions: Learning is the heart of education. It needs to be the primary focus at a school. Educators need to demonstrate a love of learning and engage in professional learning on a daIly basis. We need to model the learning we want to see our kids engage in. 

As I enter my 25th year in public education (I started when I was 12 so please feel free to do the math from there) in a new assignment as Lead Learner (principal) in a struggling school, I know exactly what is going to anchor our work. Learning. Period. A relentless focus on adult and student learning will be the primary ingredient in my school improvement. As principal, I commit to hold myself as accountable for creating the constructs and utilizing resources to design standards-based, research professional learning to anchor our school improvement efforts. Investing on our professional capital, our most valuable resource, will tremendously benefit the young people entrusted to our care, our most valuable asset.