My Vision for School #SAVMP

While completing my educational leadership studies several years ago, I got tired of hearing about creating a "vision" for your school. Real tired.

Now that I am an administrator...I can't stop thinking about my vision for our school.

In Dave Burgess' best-selling book, Teach Like a Pirate, he details an exercise that encourages teachers to write about how their class is viewed by students.

Change the topic to the broader topic of school and this experience can be equally as telling and inspiring to administrators.

When I walk through the doors of Check Elementary School, I feel safe and accepted.

Learning is fun at CES and most days I don't even know that I am learning standardized content because the teachers do such a great job of crafting engaging lessons. Their passion for learning is obvious and so contagious it has infected the entire atmosphere surrounding our school. I wake up excited to come to school and see what exciting projects and activities await in my classroom.

I feel sorry for other students who come to school and can only look forward to worksheets and tests. Right now our English class is doing a novel study with another class in Ohio. We Skype and blog about what we're reading and are even creating projects together.

Our work is connected to real-life and prepares us to be successful in the world we live in. I am challenged to think about my life and the world from perspectives different from my own. We don't have bullying issues here, the students respect each other and learn from the ways we are different.

My parents are always welcome in the school and regularly visit to take part in the many activities that take place. Community members are also frequently present at our school or hosting events and trips for us.

The best part about CES is the people. From the custodians to the principal, they are my family and have consciously worked to make sure I am prepared for a lifetime of learning and success.

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Mrs. Cromer: Leading & Learning

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