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Ronald Heifetz in "The Leader of the Future" says, "Mustering the courage to interrogate reality is a central function of a leader." I had the great pleasure this month of some quality time with our New Haven principal colleagues who are doing just that. They are both proud of the strengths they and their faculties bring to the work, but also eager to take on the challenges of whole school reform and helping all students achieve an acceptable standard of literacy by third grade. I am delighted share some of their thoughts in this article.
Barbara is guided by the belief that the needs of all children can be met through thoughtful planning, knowledge, and a sense of commitment. She feels strongly that Cornerstone will help teachers plan and use best practices that are research based in their daily instruction. On leadership: Barbara is a proponent of principle-centered leadership which validates all the stakeholders in the school environment. She sees her role as one who models these principles daily.
Kathy believes in children and their potential. She feels it is our role as educators to help them reach that potential. Cornerstone, she says, will empower teachers and students as best literacy practice becomes the norm for every adult and high levels of learning for every child. On leadership: Kathy believes in three guiding principles: Consensus, Collaboration and No-Fault. In an upcoming newsletter we will share some thoughts from our two new colleagues in Springfield. All of the first-year Cornerstone principals are looking forward to conversations with other principals in the network. Don't feel you have to wait until the regional meeting. Meet with them by telephoning their video conference number (for Althea Johnson and Janet Cumbee this took only a few seconds), contact them through the principals' learning forum, or email them. |
Barbara Chock is principal of Bishop Woods School, PK-4. She began
her professional career as a certified special and regular education
teacher. She has taught in Elgin, Illinois, and Palm Beach County,
Florida, and she has spent the last sixteen years in Connecticut.
Besides being a classroom and itinerant teacher, she has been a Special
Education Staffing Specialist, assistant principal, and Coordinator
of Title 1.
Kathy Jones is principal at Martin Luther King School, a K-4 school.
Kathy has been an educator in the New Haven Public School system
since 1973. She began her professional career as a special education
teacher. She has held the positions of classroom teacher, resource
teacher, and curriculum staff developer. She also served as coordinator
for early childhood.