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Douglas Timm , Assistant Principlal, George Read Middle School
Below is my vision statement reflecting my personal dispositions, philosophy, and vision for educational leadership.
An educational leader must define ones own vision based on shared values of the school community, community at large, and national trends. An effective vision in its basic form is a concept that leads to academic and behavioral norms by which the school, staff, and students all support and actively pursue. All constituents from staff, to parents, and students need to be engaged in creating reform and developing an appropriate mission and vision. The most important function of creating a vision is to always keep in mind that the school policies and personnel should always be functioning as a professional learning community. My job is to make sure that all constituents in the school are working together and consistency is being upheld. This will help everyone understand where I am coming from and will help maintain an effective environment. All focuses of the school must be geared toward safety, improvement, and preparation. With the age of accountability it is more and more important for students to understand that learning is their job and that they need to do whatever it takes to keep themselves invovled. It then becomes my job to make sure they are getting the most out of their experience. In developing a professional learning community a school leader needs to understand the reason for needing one. They have emerged as research has indicated “people continually expand their capacity to create desired results, where new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, where collective aspiration is set free…” With taking these considerations into account a school leader must address cultural issues as well. Social structures as well as cultural norms are embedded into the society for years and a school vision needs to reflect upon the needs of these different influences. Not only does the vision need to be accountable for the social aspect of community, but also the economic aspirations of a community. Economic influences cannot be overlooked and many societies economic and cultural needs go hand in hand. Educational leaders need to be involved with what they believe to be the driving force of an institution. Their influence over the community as well as ability to support school functions is an invaluable resource that any school leader needs to tap into.I look forward to the 2007 - 2008 school year at George Read.If I can be of any assistance to you, please contact me at George Read at 302-323-2760. Take care. |