Happy Monday!
I included our school creed in this week's newsletter. Please share your thoughts on what it means to you as a teacher and how you think it will impact our students next year.
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This blog was created as a communication tool for the Bradwell School of Excellence teachers and staff as we begin this journey to reclaim Bradwell! Join us as we share the joys, triumphs and challenges of building excellence together in an inner city school in Chicago. At Bradwell we NEVER blame the lettuce!
Never Blame the Lettuce!
We never blame the lettuce. If a lettuce fails to grow we look for the reasons it is not growing. We check to see if it needs more water, more sun, or more fertilizer. But we NEVER blame the lettuce!
Principal Kimberly Henderson
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About Me
- Kimberly Henderson
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- My name is Kimberly Henderson and I am the principal for Bradwell School of Excellence, a turnaround school for 2010-2011 in Chicago. I am excited to begin this journey of giving our students the world class education they deserve with a staff that has been handpicked to lead this challenge! Anyone can lead a school, I seek to transform the lives of our students who in turn will transform the lives of our staff forever!
Hey everyone!
ReplyDeleteSo, here are my thoughts on the two mottos I like thus far:
"Academic Excellence. No exceptions. No Excuses." I like this one a lot. It means, at least to me, that the expectations for energy, effort, and output will not change, nor decrease for any student, for any reason. That is a message that has to flow through our veins as the faculty and staff of Bradwell school. In addition, the message must be resoundingly clear to students and families. It's simply a standard that is set from Day 1.
Now, "Academic Excellence By Any Means Necessary," resonates with me too! I think it sends a clear and strong message to students and families, like "Dang, these people are serious. They might show up to my house with a dry erase board and some books if I don't get my mind right." :-)
I do believe that a message that radical might be necessary for the challenge we have accepted, though.
At this moment, I am leaning toward "Academic Excellence. No exeptions. No excuses." What do you think? (PS: are we going to have the motto embroidered on the uniform shirts?
The Bradwell School creed will impact students by reminding them that they are accountable for their path; yes, they have been faced with adverse situations time and time again, however the creed, if interpreted correctly, will teach them that perseverence is part of success. Now that the turnaround process has begun, blaming lack of resources or mediocre education can no longer be an excuse for why our students are not succeeding. I think an integral part in change is for parents to learn how to reinforce the creed at home, as well. The creed aligns nicely with last week's motto: "Academic Excellence. No exceptions. No excuses."
ReplyDeleteMy will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man’s doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny.
I agree with Nicole when stating the creed aligns great with the motto "Academic Excellence. No exceptions. No excuses."
ReplyDeleteI think the creed is extremely powerful and true when reading it as an educator, especially being part of Bradwell. To me its saying this is our chance and it’s all up to us. Win or lose, the outcome will reflect on the energy and effort we put in. It’s our responsibility and our decisions.
As for the students, it shows and reminds them that they are accountable and responsible for everything that they do. Whether its success or if they are struggling, that student and only that student is responsible. This creed is also diverse enough that it can be related to academics and behavior. I think it’s great!
"Academic Excellence. No exceptions. No excuses." goes along great with the creed. The problem is that people often make excuses and that's why nothing gets done. We, as well as our students, need to shape a new future for our school, one in which we only succeed. Even though these children face challenges everyday, does not mean they don't deserve an education that is nothing but the best for them. Education should not stop after the classroom either. We need to work with families as well, to ensure that these students are completing their howmework. They need to get the most out of their education so they can head off to college and be active, working, members of our society. We need to start taking two steps forward, and no steps back.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I'm so grateful to have this school-wide creed. It creates a common language and shared vision for staff and students. It demonstrates that everyone in the building is accountable to him/herself and to our collective future.
ReplyDeleteFor students, I think the line "my choice" is so powerful. The opportunity to choose is so powerful. I want my students to really understand that they have a choice and the choice is theirs to make. As a staff we will do everything we can to support the students and ultimately they get to choose the course of their lives!
When I first saw what is now our school creed I was searching for quotes to paint on the walls. But this one actually brought tears to my eyes when I read it. It made me realize that no matter what challenges we face as a school whether we succeed or not is totally up to us. But it's also up to our students- they have to make the choice to WANT to do better. I never thought about how the creed and motto No exceptions, no excuses line up so nicely together. Thanks for pointing that out!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! Makaela i love the idea of getting it emblazoned on the shirts. Let's start with the staff shirts once we vote.
ReplyDeleteThe first line really throws down the gauntlet - "My will shall shape the future." First, that it grounds that power and that responsibility into the hands of each person who reads it. It has undeniable weight. Secondly, that this power and responsibility shape not just my future, but the future of my world, our community, our homes. When I read this, I felt immediately that this IS what I want to say to myself everyday, and this IS what I want our students and staff to realize.
ReplyDeleteOur school creed is a creed for life, not just for students and that's what I love about it! I feel like it's something that I can live by, which makes it easier to ask my students to live by it! It puts the choice in their hands. It lets them know that we know they can do it but that it's up to them to make the choice.
ReplyDeleteI also love our school creed. I particularly love how it not only holds students accountable for their actions but also gives them a sense of control over their own lives, no matter the circumstances they are facing. I personally find that very empowering. I think it's important to remind students that this creed is not a threat but a tool by which they can improve their lives and acheive success and happiness.
ReplyDeleteAfter spending a week at a first year turnaround school and hearing their creed every day, I can say without a doubt that I love how ours can apply to any person in the building regardless of title or position. I want to say the creed with the kids-not at them. Not that my current site’s creed is bad, I just think the students need to see role models doing what they preach and seeing how it works throughout life not just as a student!
ReplyDeleteExcellent point Ashley! It will be a change to have a creed that applies to everyone.
ReplyDeleteMost of the feedback that I have has been touched upon already. I think our school creed aligns perfectly with the goal that we have in mind for the turnaround. Our students need to know that we are here to provide them with what they need, and it is up to them on how they will take it and apply it. As teachers we know we have the responsibility, and we must impart that same attitude into our students. They must know that they have a responsibility to themselves.
ReplyDeleteI really like our creed because it promotes KNOWING that you have THE POWER OF CHOICE. Each person has the power to make intelligent and responsible choices and you have the innate power to control your destiny and this power gives you the strength to overcome anything.
ReplyDelete