Welcome Back!!

As we begin another year, let's take a minute to reflect on what we accomplished last year. Over the past few years, I have encouraged you all to have "180 days of purpose". I have expressed that we have to maintain high expectations for ourselves and for our students. I have asked you to "Take Ownership" and to teach with "Urgency". Well, you stepped up and exceeded my expectations. I want to thank you for being the hard working, professional staff that you are. Each day I walk in the doors of Antioch I feel blessed to lead such an incredible group of professionals. You all make me look so good (and that is not easy to do), but more importantly you give our students the best you have.
As a young boy who made many bad choices, I learned one lesson very early in life. When I would have a great day, week or report card (???) my mother would say, "Now I know you can do it." The problem with excellence is that it does not come easy. I am challenging you all to be better teachers this year than you were last year. I can promise you all that Karen and I are going to do our part to be better supporters, coachers and leaders for you. Now that we set the bar, we cannot become complacent. My motto for the year is going to be exactly that, "NO TIME FOR COMPLACENCY". Just because something was ok in the past does not mean it is ok this year. Each day come prepared, reach your little gators at their level, integrate technology and inspire each and every child that walks into your room to learn. Give them opportunitites to THINK, CREATE, PROBLEM SOLVE AND COLLABORATE. These are the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century and it is our job to provide them opportunities to practice them. If you are not skilled at small group instruction or you struggle with technology, do what you have to so you can meet the needs of your students. Do not let your pride get in the way with what is best for students. Remember we are already 10 years into the 21st century and some of us still struggle with the 21st century skills we are trying to teach.

We all need to grow. Remember there is NO TIME FOR COMPLACENCY!