Message from Superintendent Dr. Lynn Moody
Our Directional Focus
Under Renewal
And a few of my thoughts…
It is so hard to believe that
Spring is just around the corner!
We have established our
Directional Focus and are in
the process of revamping our
Strategic Plan to reflect this
focus. We want our students
to be engaged learners with
academic skills, interpersonal skills, and unique life goals. As I reflect on
what an amazing, challenging and exciting year this continues to be, I want
to share with you some of my thoughts on Renewal and how we are thinking
about our work differently. Where some of these thoughts and questions,
may appear specifically directed to teachers, we are really all teachers –
working together to grow our children to be successful in life.
What I Want for Every Student
We talk and hear a lot about passion. You know that thing that makes us
excited and want to not only learn, but to share with others what we are
learning so they find their passions too. At Rowan-Salisbury, we want every
child to discover their passions, find their unique smartness, and set personal
life goals. We want to engage every student in profound and deep learning,
not superficial learning that is rushed and shallow. We want our students to
be innovative, creative, and confident. We want students to have learning
experiences that are customized and tailored to their benefit. We want to
prepare students for the future, not for the past.
I believe we have a “why” that is very compelling!
What greater goal/call could we have?
Commitment and Time
We are committed, determined and confident. We know we have our
challenges. In being the Renewal School System in North Carolina, we are
creating the story, the plan, and the directions for work that has never
been done. There is no playbook manual for us to follow. We are creating
it. Our biggest challenge right now is the TIME for our teachers to design
this important work. I know it is taking an enormous amount of energy and
resources, but true reform is an enormous task. It is also critically important
to the students we get the opportunity to serve.
I am devoted to trying to find resources and funding to help our teachers
with this effort!
I challenge our teachers with these two questions:
What ideas do you have to find more time and resources to compel us
forward?
How can I help you?
Training our Leaders
All of us need opportunities to reach beyond our normal channels of
professional development and training to learn how to implement Renewal. It
will take more than each school’s Teacher-Led Design Team (TLDT) meeting
to plan, develop, and create new curriculum and ideas for teaching our
children.
Our district’s Innovation Coach, Amie Caudle, is working to create a resource
platform to help principals and their TLDTs to plan ‘Go and See” experiences.
The School Board will visit other districts to learn from innovative school
boards.
2 • March/April 2019• Parent Teacher Magazine
I encouraged everyone to read “Beyond Reform”.
I have been reaching out to innovative superintendents, educational writers,
executive coaches, and business leaders to inspire, challenge, and push me
beyond my comfort level to lead progressive educational practices.
To grow, we must continually ask these questions:
What do you need to do to sharpen your skills?
What else can I do to sharpen mine?
Remember to Enjoy the Journey
The intensity, goals and deadlines become unbearable sometimes, but
we must remember to enjoy the journey. This is the hardest part for me
personally. I see so much work that needs to be done, and I become restless
in the pursuit. But, when I actually stop to think about our progress, I’m very
proud of all we have accomplished!
You will have to remind me to enjoy the journey. And in return, I will try to
be sure we provide structures and support that make the journey more fun
and enjoyable for you too.
Stay Positive
I don’t consider myself as an optimist or pessimist, but rather a realist. I
think most people consider themselves the same way whether it is true or
not.I know I can be pretty intense.
I do work hard to surround myself with fairly positive, can do, get it done
people. I read positive messages and have a good friend who sends me great
messages. I can do more in this area and I will.
I truly appreciate all the hard work and fun that we accomplish each and
every day for our children. They keep us positive!