First and foremost we need students at school, on time, everyday. There are things that happen in life, doctor's appointments, funerals, occasionally getting sick, but it should not be rampant. Additionally, I believe getting to school on time is a life long lesson. The quickest and most common way to get fired from a job is not a lack of skill, it is a lack of getting to work on time, being there everyday or a poor attitude.
I will challenge you to give your students your best each and every day. I will challenge you to have two times (at least) more encouraging things to say than negative. I will challenge you to give respect to your students and other stakeholders and try to earn theirs in return. That does not mean we give way to each and every student’s desires. We will have high expectations.
I expect our students to be respectful. I expect our students to give it their best (no matter what their best is that day). I expect our students to create a welcoming learning environment for their classmates…and when those expectations are not met, then there will be consequences.
My top rules for student discipline is that they will not be disrespectful to any staff member or another student, they will not be defiant, and they will not disrupt the learning environment of other students. The challenge is that we are all on the same page in holding that expectation for all students each and every class period. I expect teachers to handle discipline at the lowest level first…for example, if Luke is talking to his classmate, I don’t want to be the first line of defense…was there a warning, was there a conversation or detention? Was there proximity used or a change in seat location? My logic is that I don’t want to see teachers giving up their power of discipline on every issue to administration! With that being said, I am here to support you! If a student is out of line, defiant, disrespectful, or continues to disrupt the learning environment of others, they should have a visit with me ☺.
I try really hard to give chances. I will “counsel” students to make the correct choice the next time. That does not mean discipline is a coke and go back to class after a short visit…you will find that is not my style.
I love to see good teaching from bell to bell each and every day. I want to see students challenged. I want to see them productively struggle. Class should not be easy. I want to see teachers be themselves! I was not a lecture teacher, but I have seen great lecture teachers! We can recognize student engagement when we see it…that is the first component to great teaching! I want teachers coming to me with ideas they want to incorporate in their classrooms to further challenge students. You have an idea? Great! I want to hear how I can support you to make it the best one yet! I hope that at the end of the day you can look at me as someone who is there to support you to be the very best teacher you can be whether that is helping with a student issue, or providing instructional feedback. I want you to feel like I am helping you reach your best each and every day too!
