Vision of My Learning Community
One of the most exciting things about becoming an administrator, I believe, is the realization that one day you are going to be able to work in the school setting or environment that you have always wanted to, or even dreamed of. That is because, as the lead administrator, you are in a position to shape that school or setting in such ways as to help create the learning environment that you have always deemed best. No more complaining to your colleagues, “If only…………” As principal you are in the driver seat, so to speak, and possess the ability to bring about positive change, to respond to those who say “If only”. Not that creating the perfect learning community is easy. In fact, it can be extremely difficult. At the very least however, as an administrator, you can wake up each and every day knowing that you can do something to come closer to making that ideal learning community a reality. The vision that I have for this ideal learning community begins with the students.
The foundation of my ideal learning community is based on having students who are prepared to learn each and every school day. I do believe that parents and families play a role in this matter, but they certainly are not alone in this matter. I believe that, as principal, it is my job to ensure that transportation is running efficiently, that all students who qualify are utilizing available free/reduced meal programs, that counseling under and outside of the auspices of the school are readily available. I see my ideal learning community offering these things, and more, in an effort to make sure that all students are ready to learn when they step into our school each day.
My vision of the ideal learning community continues with a diverse student body and staff. I expect to lead a diverse staff, representative of the community in which we work, and one which is better able to relate to and met the needs of those we serve. Our students will show their diversity not only in their race or ethnicity, but also in their socio-economic status and most importantly, their present levels of ability and or achievement. My ideal learning community reflects this type of diversity and is serviced by a staff that is motivated to meet each and every need.
The students of this ideal learning community will be presented with a curriculum that not only offers the basics and classics of a well rounded education, but goes further as well. It is my belief that curriculum must change and adapt as the society in which we place students changes as well. Today, in this ideal learning community, this means offering the courses that provides the latest in skill development for the job market of today. We must do our best to ensure that our students are experiencing a positive transition into the workforce of today, and of tomorrow. The ideal learning community, as I see it, does this. This curriculum will cut no corners in an effort to provide a full and richly authentic educational experience and will include courses disregarded in other communities because of their lack of apparent connection to No Child Left Behind measures.
The staff that provides this richly authentic curriculum will not only be diverse, as previously mentioned, they will also be highly educated and motivated to further their own education. In this vision at least 50% of all staff members are furthering their education at any given time. This staff will not only be motivated because of district tuition reimbursement initiatives, but also because of the knowledge that in this idealized learning community, the teachers with advanced degrees will be the ones receiving the most desired teaching appointments. They will also be motivated, of course, by the knowledge of how their continuing education will affect the learning and achievement of students. It is also integral to my vision that these same teachers, freed from the constraints of “teaching to the test” in support of federal legislative mandates, will spark a genuine love of the process of learning.
My vision of the ideal learning community is that of an entire school building of adults (administrators, teachers, counselors, support staff, coaches) who put two things above all others. These two things are the provision of high quality instruction and the support of student learning and achievement. This learning community will be comprised of individuals who remember that these two things are the basis of each and every school day, as well as the basis of the need for their job.
As the principal of this idealized learning community, I see myself as having one, sole purpose. This purpose, which will guide me daily, is to remove all obstacles from the aforementioned two tenets of this learning community: The provision of high quality instruction and the support of student learning and achievement. It is my belief that everything I do as principal should be in support of those two major tenets, and everything that does not support those two items should be pushed aside. This learning community will remain an ideal until the day that I am given the opportunity to put these measures into place, to put my thoughts and visions into action. It is when I am given this opportunity, I believe, that the fun will truly begin.
