Principal's Message

Dr. Georgia Shimkus

By Georgia Shimkus Ed.D.
Principal
Kyrene Monte Vista Elementary School

Philosophy

I believe that we, at Monte Vista, are about children's learning. Children should learn in a stimulating, safe, and nurturing classroom and in a safe school. I believe that if we are warm, human, and nurturing, we maximize the learning of children. It is my job to help the staff create an environment in our school and classrooms that engages students in academic work that results in a high level of achievement. I believe that with our support and help, students can master challenging curricula, and we, at Monte Vista, expect them to do so. I expect staff to work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and parents to achieve this shared educational purpose. 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 a professional learning community characterized by six characteristics:

Shared mission, vision

Collective inquiry

Collaborative teams

Action orientation and experimentation

Continuous improvement

Results orientation

Beliefs

All children can master challenging curricula with our help and support. I strongly believe in the importance of academics - reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, the fine arts, and technology.

I also believe that we must be concerned with both the social and academic well being of students. We need to instill in each child a love for learning and foster social responsibility. I believe that teachers should be proficient in establishing the conditions for effective learning. I believe in teacher-to- teacher sharing because I do not see myself as the only source of instructional expertise in the school.

I believe in comprehensive staff development to improve the ability of educators to help all students achieve the intended results of the school.

I also 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, and adjustments in order to improve results; and give one another feedback as they practice new skills.

I believe that improvement in teachers' instructional practices is best achieved in a setting that builds on the positive aspects of their skills.

I believe that I must be a continuous learner. I believe that it is my responsibility to protect students' time to learn and teachers' time to teach. I believe in a professional learning community characterized by a shared mission, vision, and values; collective inquiry; collaborative teams; action orientation and experimentation; continuous improvement; and results orientation.

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. It is our job to help children understand their mistakes and become more responsible for their own behavior.

I believe in an orderly, disciplined environment but one that is still warm and nurturing. This is a necessary condition to teach and for learning to take place.

I believe in modeling, teaching, and reinforcing the use of Lifeskills with our students. I believe in celebration, ceremony, and ritual to remind us of what is valued and important in our school.

Goals

To begin working on the building blocks for becoming a professional learning community. (mission, vision, values)

To establish outcomes for student achievement based on data that will foster experimentation, results orientation, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

To work with staff to articulate clear and measurable goals, identify indicators that offer evidence of progress, and to develop systems for monitoring those indicators on a continuous basis.

To engage in collaborative team learning in order to learn from one another and fuel momentum for continued improvement.

To work hard to make sure that in the six years children are in elementary school that they leave Monte Vista operating at grade level or above so that they go into middle school as strong and confident children.