First, I believe that we, as educators, must base ALL decisions upon what is good for children.  I believe that teachers are responsible for planning and providing engaging, hands-on instruction that enables students to master grade-level content skills in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.  Providing quality experiences in the fine arts, music, physical education, and technology are fundamental to the healthy development of children’s minds and spirits.

I believe it is my job to help the staff create an environment in our school and the classrooms that engage students in academic work that results in high levels of achievement. We must maintain high expectations for student achievement and hold students accountable for their learning.  I believe that with the support and help of the total SEWELL staff and parents, all our students can master challenging curricula.

I believe that we must be concerned with both the social and academic well-being of students.  I believe that teachers should be proficient in establishing conditions in their classrooms that provide for effective learning. I truly believe that children who learn together learn to work together.  We need to instill in each child a love for learning and foster social responsibility.  I believe we must move beyond the “heroes and holidays” approach for celebrating diversity, examine our beliefs, approaches to curriculum, and do whatever we need to ensure every student has an equitable opportunity to achieve in our school.

I believe in an orderly, disciplined environment but one that is still warm and nurturing.  This is a necessary condition for teaching and learning to take place.  I believe in positive discipline.  If we are going to change the behavior of children, we must have a dialogue about what took place, why, and what are the options next time. 

I believe in modeling, teaching, and reinforcing the use of positive choices with our students.  It is our job to help children understand their mistakes and become more responsible for their own behavior.

I expect staff to work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and parents to achieve a shared educational purpose.  I believe that we must become a professional learning community at SEWELL characterized by a shared mission, vision, and values; collective inquiry, collaborative teams, action research, experimentation, continuous improvement, and results orientation.  I believe it is my responsibility to support teachers in their work by being competent and caring in my role as a school principal.

I believe in providing comprehensive staff development to improve the ability of educators to help all students achieve the intended results of the school.  I strongly believe in teacher-to-teacher sharing because I do not see myself as the only source of instructional expertise in the school.  I believe that teachers are engaging in a powerful form of staff development each time they work together to develop curriculum and assessment strategies, engage in the on-going cycle of inquiry, reflection, dialogue, action, analysis, instructional adjustments in order to improve results, and give one another feedback as we practice new skills.  I believe that we must all be continuous learners.

Finally, I believe in celebration, ceremony, and ritual to remind us of what is valued and important in our school, C.T. Sewell Elementary School.