A Message from the Superintendent
One of the few guarantees in life is change. It is the most consistent occurrence in our life. At times, change can be very disruptive and let’s face it, change can be annoying. As adults, we know that change occurs, we try and teach our children that change is a part of life and yet sometimes we adults are the ones who struggle with change the most. It’s a natural human reaction, especially if the change affects our plans, beliefs, thoughts, etc.
Can you imagine a world without change? That would be scary and boring. The beauty of change is that it brings hope and opportunity. When you look at our world right now and more specifically our country, you hear people begging for change. The very thing that sometimes we struggle to embrace is the very thing we often ask for from someone or from something. It’s no wonder that understanding change is complex.
Schools are like people…..they change. They change for numerous reasons and one of the biggest reasons is because schools are comprised of people and people are the items that change. The concept that people don’t change is one I don’t agree with at all. I am quite sure I am not the same person I was at 25….thank goodness 🙂 Schools aren’t buildings, but rather they are the people inside the building. It isn’t the door that is interacting with our children or with the staff, it is people interacting with people. Those interactions are what make the culture in a building. Positive interactions with each other are critical components to what creates a positive school culture. One of the most important things we can do as people is seek to understand, then seek to be understood. When we all interact with each other in ways that are positive, have intentionality and seek to understand, great things become reality.
One of the biggest changes for me in the past few years, was becoming the superintendent and ultimately moving to Hart. Over the past three years, I have had the pleasure to be your superintendent. It is an honor to work here, be here, and live here. Hart, (the city, the area and the school), have become a place that our family happily calls home. I look forward to serving you, your family and the district this year.
The district takes great pride in its staff and students. Among the many accomplishments, the following stand out:
- Rising test scores
- Strong curriculum initiatives including established benchmarks, common assessments, curriculum maps and professional learning communities
- Cutting edge technology including computer labs, telephone and internal communication devices, iPads, Chromebooks, Nooks, Smart Boards, Elmo capabilities and Power School Parent Portal.
- A strong performing arts program for the school and community
- New and renovated facilities on a single campus
- An excellent and caring teaching staff that understands and appreciates the students and the community
- An effective administrative team