Priorities. We all make decisions about the use of our limited
resources. What is important to us? What do we value most?
Sometimes we are more systematic and deliberate in our decision making process
and sometimes things just happen. Help us play a professional role in advocating
for our highest priorities for education for our students.
YCTA has been asking our members –
what should be the highest priorities of our
district?
We have gathered that input over the course of several Rep Council
meetings and have prepared a draft document for your review. We have
compiled the attached draft to reflect the viewpoints of our YCTA
Membership. I urge to further participate in this deliberation by
commenting on the draft. Hard copies will be forthcoming in your
mailboxes. You will also find this document on YCTA.net. We
welcome any additional feedback as we finalize the document for
publication. (Green half sheet stapled to multiple page document in your
mailbox by Tuesday)
In August 2011, State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson unveiled California
Department of Education's A
Blueprint for Great Schools.
The first step
in reaching a goal is setting one. We've taken an honest look at
where we are and where we want to be, and created a vision about how to get
there - with a focus on 21st century learning, meeting the needs of the whole
child, and building the ranks of California's teachers with resources and
respect." California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom
Torlakson
As educators we have an opportunity to speak with one voice about
the priorities for public education in our district. We would like to a
part of the honest and courageous discussion of public education in the 21st
century; we shall begin locally here in YCUSD.
Four themes emerged in all the input we received about the
priorities for education – here at YCUSD.
1.
Value Education PROFESSIONALS Attract and retain the highest quality
professionals. Hire great people and provide them the support they need to do
great things.
2.
Value and Trust Educators’ Expertise Build supportive, collaborative
environments to maintain and cultivate the skills and expertise of the
personnel. Allow teachers and teams of professionals to exercise professional
judgment to address the needs of the students in their classrooms.
3.
Value Time as a Finite Resource Recognize and support the contributions of
educators by providing the time and resources to engage in their primary
responsibilities. There is no substitute for time as a means of supporting best
practices. Time is a limited resource, as is money, and it is often not treated
as such. We need time devoted to those tasks that best serve our primary
responsibility, which is providing the highest quality education to our
students.
4.
Value
the Educational Environment While the teacher may have the greatest immediate impact on
the education of students, we must also recognize the importance of the
classroom, school, and community environments. Other school personnel and
parents have a profound influence on our students as well.
"We
are setting our sights high because our students deserve it," said
Torlakson. "As our Blueprint
for Great Schools shows, there's no substitute for investing in our
children's education. But we owe our students much more than just money. We also owe them our leadership, our best
thinking—and above all—our very best people."
We have the local experts and great people here at YCUSD. Let
each of play a role in moving education for Yuba City students forward towards
the best possible educational opportunities for our next generation. Ours
is an inclusive organization looking towards building a better school district
for all of us. We believe that is best accomplished with open
communication and a commitment to collaboration. We look forward to your
continued participation in our development of this vision.
I look forward
to your feedback.
Have
a wonderful three day weekend,
Dina
Dina Luetgens
YCTA President
United as Professionals
