A New School Year

"Unity is strength . . . when there is

teamwork and collaboration,

wonderful things can be achieved."

-Mattie Stepanek

Poet

As we begin a new school year, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to work and serve in this school district.  We have so many of the necessary resources  - facilities, materials, personnel - to make our school system extraordinary.  We have a whole district of leaders, teachers, and support staff who really care about students and about improving teaching and learning.  YOU are smart, motivated and hard-working.  And best of all, you desire to continuously learn and grow as teachers and learners.  That is evidenced in the amount of time you spent learning together throughout the summer.  

In my reflection of this past year and through getting to know many of you at every level, it is clear to me that together we can solve any problem and can make this district second to none.  Our district vision is:

Educators, staff, parents, and the community will work together to help students

move forward on a positive path toward college and career readiness.

Is that your vision for all students?  Do you envision all of us working together so that every single student has the knowledge, skills, motivation, and work ethic necessary to go to college or to start a satisfying career?  I do.  I believe that if we are willing to work closely together and to learn together, there is almost nothing that we will be unable to accomplish.  What would be the effects if we realized that vision?  Would all of our students leave us filled with hope, dreams that could be realized, and  the desire to be productive citizens?  Could we eliminate unemployment? A depressed economy?  Homelessness?  Working together as a school system, could the 495 TCS employees save democracy in the United States of America?  

I believe that we ought to dream big and think big.  I believe that we can achieve amazing things when we employ collaboration that creates support and pressure to hold one another accountable. When all members of a group are articulating the same story in terms of goals, strategies, and progress - when they know what they are doing and why - the results are far more likely to be successful and sustainable.  

My request is that we all continuously learn together and work together toward our common goals this year.  Put student and teacher learning first and keep the vision of all students on a path toward college and career readiness.  I look forward to our best year ever in Trussville.  The Department of Curriculum and Instruction is here to provide teachers and administrators support and opportunities for continuous professional learning.  Please don't hesitate to contact us for support.  

Beth Bruno