Imagine a school

The why of schooling is tricky to me. Building a vision begins with purpose and so many purposes collide when it comes to education. We have businesses asking for more prepared employees; parents asking for their child to be prepared for college or the workforce; a community asking for civic minded critical thinkers; a future begging for global innovators and problem solvers; and politicians asking for proof of rigor and improvement on a set of standards that may or may not align with the myriad public preferences. So many purposes, so many clients to serve. Even though school can be all of these things, diluting the purpose often dilutes the process and ultimately the end result.

For me, to define the purpose of schooling, I look to the child that is being served. My vision of a great school is a school that strives to honor each child helping him or her to become all that he or she can be, both for themselves and their community, in the present and in the future.


I Imagine a school where-

All students attend school SECURE in their placement and EXCITED to come to school, knowing they will be honored for who they are, treated with respect, and challenged to grow everyday.

All parents send their children to school RELIEVED and CONFIDENT to know their child will be treated with respect and will gain a solid foundation in what he/she needs to succeed and prosper mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially.

All teachers start and end their days ENERGIZED knowing that the work they do matters, that their own learning matters, that they have important access to mastery, autonomy and purpose within the important work of inspiring the next generation.

All staff feel connected and important to the valuable purpose of the school and the individual needs of each student.

The community recognizes, supports, and cheers on the school for its valuable contributions to children, families, and the greater community.