CRITICAL THINKING

Problem-solve like a warrior!
I advocate that we should never be afraid of failure! In fact, F.A.I.L. can be seen as  "First Attempts I​n Learning". In preparing our students for the future, they must be challenged, learn from mistakes, and be metacognitive learners. Charging students to think about and understand their own learning helps them take the emphasis off of grades and simple completion of tasks. Providing a thoughtful curriculum with high-level student-led learning objectives, more authentic and long-lasting experiences will emerge from our school.

COMMUNICATION

Say what you mean, mean what you say, and don't be mean saying it.
Communicating effectively requires all participants to be respectful, active listeners, as well as thorough, organized, and courageous contributors. By presenting information in a meaningful, prepared way, and being open to feedback and questions, I have keenly developed my abilities to speak publicly, both while working with groups and during one-on-one conversations. I also regularly revisit the guiding notions pictured below to ensure that I am communicating at my best.

COLLABORATION

Using digital platforms, working together has never been more convenient and accessible! 
Throughout my career, I have participated in and lead many influential committees. For example: Strategic Planning, Curriculum Development/Mapping, Behavior/Discipline, Scheduling, COVID Response, SEL, Administrative Council, etc.
​As an assistant principal, I led the School Climate Committee which focused on student expectations and behavior as well as discipline. Student management is always a challenging topic to tackle in schools, as many adults perceive what's appropriate in different ways. Our committee worked together from scratch, developing a system that was research-based, so that we all learned about best practices together. A highly effective balance between social/emotional instruction and appropriate consequences was conceived through the committee's outstanding collaboration. 

The researched-based PBIS system for student management has been around for a long time, and was a model we used as a foundation. From it's principles, we created a unique and personalized program for our school.

Knowing our staff's needs, we created this easy to follow guide for responses to student behaviors. This document took nearly an entire year to create, and when introduced to staff, was still considered a "working document". We wanted this work to be on-going and ever-evolving.

CREATIVITY

Create something original for a global audience: Go beyond the walls of the school.
The district asked that each school produce a "History of..." presentation. I took on this project with passion, focusing on demonstrating the true essence of what it meant to be a "Liberty Kid", while sharing interesting facts about the school itself.
​The end result was this heart-warming video which I produced, directed, wrote, and digitally developed. 

CARING : My "extra-C"

"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget the way you made them feel." -Carl Buechner
I strongly believe in the powers of  being kind, caring, and supportive to every person I encounter.
​There is always work that needs to be done; however, it is imperative to MAKE time to ENJOY ONE ANOTHER!