Creating Connections: Every Student Matters

cc image by Krissy Venosdale

Eventually everything connects - people, ideas, objects.  The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.  ~ Charles Eames

As most of you know, this will be the inaugural year for the Willis Connections Class - intended to allow us the opportunity to get to know our kids and ensure that every student on our campus has at least one advocate.  There is no shortage of evidence to indicate that school connectedness is linked to improved grades, higher test scores, diminished behavioral issues and reduced drop-out rates.  While relationships alone are not sufficient, there is reason to believe that without meaningful connections, the effectiveness of our teaching - and student learning - is dramatically reduced.

There are many strategies we can implement to develop closer connections with our kids, but perhaps the most important thing we can do is model the attitude, behaviors, and passion for learning that we expect from our students - even when we are met with challenges.

To that end, during the 2012-13 school year, we will be focused on learning together and building a connected community.  Our goal will be to continue our academic progress while placing a renewed emphasis on the development of positive relationships: student to student, teacher to teacher, student to teacher, student to school, and school to community.  We will work tirelessly to uphold the following statement:

Willis is a place where everyone has equal worth...and lots of it. 

As the adults on our campus, we must believe this to be true, and we need to be certain that our daily actions reflect this core value.  Stay positive.  Treat colleagues with respect.  Work diligently (as a school community) to model the process of learning for our students.

Our time is valuable and there is no shortage of “new” programs and initiatives that require our attention.  In addition to the school initiated Connections Class, we will be working with a new teacher evaluation instrument, a new student information system, and the common core standards.  Accomplishing all of this without the help and support of others would be overwhelming, but working TOGETHER - sharing knowledge, experience and encouragement - will pave the way for sucess.  This school year, we will be streamlining our meeting process and distribution of information, allowing for an increased amount of time to work collaboratively and learn TOGETHER.  We will carefully consider our actions, mindful of the three reflection questions introduced last year: (1) What is the purpose? (2) Is it a good use of time and resources? (3) Does it serve the best interest of students?

As I have said before, the Willis staff is special - we are difference makers.  Perhaps the greatest thing we can do for our students, enroute to an enhanced learning experience, is create connections and empower them to believe in themselves.

Kids who think they are going somewhere behave differently than those who believe they are going nowhere.  ~ Pedro Noguera