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A Message from the
Superintendent |
There is no question that our world has changed. After September
11th many of us began to review our priorities and rethink
our goals. Schools also face challenges in these difficult
times.
The first challenge is obvious – ensuring that staff
and students are safe and secure. It’s important that
students, staff, parents and the community know that we are
prepared so that the important business of educating children
can continue. All security and safety procedures are continually
reviewed and updated.
The second challenge is to have all students reach the highest
level of achievement possible. Since the beginning of the
1990s, the age of communication and technology has required
a highly educated workforce. We need well-educated young people
to meet the new challenges we may encounter. The greatness
of our nation has always been its ability to establish and
maintain an industrial complex that is superior to the rest
of the world. In World War II, that complex responded and
liberty was maintained. Illiteracy is more of a national threat
than any outside force. Educating students to the fullest
will enable them to lead our great nation safely and securely
into the future.
We need to recommit ourselves – as a district and as
a community – to getting all students to a higher level.
In order to do that, we need to maintain the links we have
created with the community and foster new ones. We need to
seek out the resources we need and put them to use to expand
the educational opportunities of students. Members of the
business community, senior citizens, parents – everyone
in our community – need to be involved in the educational
process. From mentors to internship programs to school volunteers
to partnerships – community support is important and
needs to be nurtured.
The most important aspect of a quality educational system
is providing a quality teacher in every classroom. The research
is clear: exposure to a quality teacher is the key factor
in student success. We, as a growing District, are also looking
to the community to help meet the teacher shortage we face.
Our Alternative Certification for Educators (ACE) program
enables members of the community who hold college degrees
– but lack teacher credentials – to become teachers.
They can begin teaching and, while working closely with teacher
mentors, pursue teaching certificates.
Our Broward Teacher Corps is a model for the nation. The program,
the result of a partnership with area colleges and universities
that belong to the Broward Educational Consortium, will provide
the educational opportunities and instruction needed to keep
current teachers in our classrooms and attract and train new
teachers.
Everyone is a stakeholder when it comes to the important job
of educating our children. With participation, cooperation
and support, I am confident that we will succeed in preparing
students for whatever challenges lie ahead.
