Today was the first day of the 2014-15 school year at MHS but we didn't have any regular classes. We did a full day orientation for all students as we transition to a flexible-modular schedule - regular classes begin tomorrow. This transition has taken a great deal of planning, man hours, and adjustment to be ready for students to begin taking classes tomorrow. As we have gone through the process I have been unbelievably impressed with my faculty and staff. A modular schedule is not a simple thing. (For an explanation you can see a video I made for parents here.)
During our back to school meetings over the past few days, teachers have had many opportunities to express concerns, complaints, irritations, etc. But you know what? I didn't hear one from any staff member. That's right, not a single negative comment about this major transition. Instead, I heard genuine excitement, anticipation, confidence, and even a bit of awe as we are the first school in Missouri to embark on this journey. That really says something about the teachers and other staff members I'm fortunate to work with....they care about KIDS success more than their own convenience.
Let me be perfectly clear - transitioning to a modular schedule contains very little convenience for the adults involved. It changes instructional planning. It changes the physical components of the building. None of my core area teachers have their own room anymore - their desks are in a shared 'resource room' where they will tutor students during the school day. Their planning time is all over the place and many times is just in 25 minute segments between classes or resource center time. The schedule doesn't repeat itself every day or every two days - instead it repeats itself every five days meaning nearly all teachers have a different schedule each of those days. Teachers that teach the same course will likely have 'shared' students so that the student's schedule time is maximized. Again, very little about that screams convenient for adults.
My faculty and staff however have embraced the things that are more important than their own convenience - preparing students for THEIR future! This schedule will allow students to reach out to teachers for tutoring and extra help during the school day. It will allow us to prepare students to manage their own time, make decisions about their academic priorities, advocate for themselves, and push themselves farther than ever before. These components were more valuable to the adults in my building than any of the conveniences they were losing. That makes me one proud principal!
So, to the teachers, counselors, office workers, maintenance staff, custodians, cooks, paraprofessionals, and other adults in my building I say THANK YOU! Thank you for stepping up and taking on the challenge of putting kids needs before yours. Thank you for all the hours spent planning instruction so that students benefit. Thank you for trusting in your building leader to go forward with an initiative that no school in our state has attempted. And thank you for being the greatest faculty and staff in not only Missouri, but in the nation.
It's gonna be an AWESOME year!
PS - A special Thank You to my wife, Shelley, and son, Sean, as they have put up with me during the planning. I love you both!
