Thanks for the smooth opening of the school year. Coming into a new organization presents challenges in and of itself, yet, as I interact with students, teachers, and parents, I am impressed by the generational family orientation characteristic of our classrooms that exists among our youngest to the eldest student. The elder students further impress me on how they look after and care for our younger students during times of transitions from the building to chapel, walking side-by-side with them to ensure everyone makes it safely across the street (and of course under teacher supervision). This is the kind of camaraderie we will maintain, honoring the family atmosphere tradition at St. Paul.
In addition to honoring the family atmosphere of our school, we are working closely with the Chicagoland Lutheran Education Foundation (CLEF) to enhance our school by planning instructional improvements to include providing instructional coaching and mentoring to our teachers around the implementation of Project-Based Learning interspersed with social/emotional learning and cultural competency. The overarching goal is to offer an instructional program that not only instills faith-based values but prepares students for the challenges and jobs of the 21st century.
As I continue to grow and learn from the people in our school, my hope is to make sure that our students are always welcomed and loved, coupled with an immersion in meaningful, rigorous academics.
