Non-Negotiables

As a school leader I will have three non-negotiables.  Primarily, do not lie.  In education telling a lie is not only speaking something that is not true, but it can also be posting an inflated grade for a student because you happen to like them.  This does not accomplish anything except give the student an unrealistic measure of their content mastery.  Grades help tell the student's story, and provide direction to teachers as how best to assist the child access the content.  Secondly, work toward a safe and inclusive environment.  I want my school to be a place where students feel physically and psychologically safe.  I envision a school where everyone can be themselves, and other students don't demean others for being who they are.  My third and final non-negotiable is, do not steal.  Do not steal anything physically from the school, obviously, but also do not steal the students time.  Be your best each and every day.  You demand your students give 100% to their school work, and so should you.  No student should have their time stolen because a teacher is either unprepared, or focused on something other than the children in his room at that moment.  If the teachers adhere to these non-negotiables, then I belive we can work together to create a unique school with a motivated student body.