The Principal is responsible for building relationships that support the achievement of school goals and improved student learning while modeling respect, integrity, loyalty, advocacy, and a commitment to learning.
STANDARD 3.1: Personal Attributes
I take my position as role model and leader quite seriously in the community. I maintain the highest respect for all community members, along with patience, tolerance, and always growing understanding of the many complex issues and influences at work in every community.
I think this is a strength that has helped me be successful in this community over a longer term. Relationships are key and it takes a long time to build trust in a community when there is so much transience, demanding social issues, and strong ‘historical’ emotional issues. Teaching and working with children is very stressful in small communities where it is difficult for staff to shield themselves from many of the difficulties that beset families and students here. So it is very important to maintain a broad picture of our goals and visions for students’ success as our primary motivation for being here.
To ensure good communication with staff we generally have a short meeting on early dismissal Thursdays to review and planning or events upcoming, address any issues that have been brought forward, and offer any general PD. Once a month we have an in-depth staff meeting with PD where we dig a bit deeper into issues that have come up and review routines, procedures, and do some professional reading and discussion activities.
Attached below are a few examples of agendas from staff meetings this year:
Staff Meeting Agenda Thurs. Sept.6
Staff Meeting Agenda Thursday, Dec. 13
Although I am teaching half time, I make sure I am in every classroom at least once daily, and have conversations with staff about how things are going and if there is anything I can do to support the students or the classroom. In a small school like ours, relationships are very immediate and close, and everyone is aware of any issues people are dealing with. I try to ensure at all times to model very professional, respectful, and considerate behaviour to all students, staff and community members. It is also vital that all staff model this behaviour at all times. Ina small community any issues in the classroom become community knowledge very quickly.