Abstract
Conference registration
Registration for the 24th Annual Future Educators Association® (FEA) opens Nov. 1. FEA is a member of the PDK International family of associations, and PDK members are invited to attend. The conference will be April 26-28, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. The FEA currently is accepting proposals for conference sessions, where PDK members often serve as presenters or competition judges.
Square said her strengths are in leading rural schools and turning around troubled ones. That's what she did in her previous post as principal of Scotland Elementary School in Baton Rouge, where overall results of the school rose from the state designation of Academically Unacceptable to Academically Acceptable.
What have you learned as a principal that you always knew as a teacher?
As a teacher leader and a principal, I have learned:
To keep the vision of the school at the forefront of my decision making;
That there are no boundaries when the success or failure of students is involved;
To be resilient;
That innovation is a crucial element of success; and
To constantly reflect.
Who was your favorite teacher, and why?
Lyndia Williams was my music teacher at Southern University Laboratory School. I remember entering her music classroom as a shy elementary student with very little musical ability. Mrs. Williams was determined to not only help me to overcome my fear of being shy but to also maximize my vocal ability and my ability to read music. As my music teacher throughout my elementary and secondary years, Mrs. Williams became my mentor and, because of her willingness to see me succeed, I not only overcame my shyness but I also became proficient at sight reading music, was selected as a member of the school district's All Parish choir, and earned superior ratings at music festivals across the state as a soloist.
Gijs de Leede has joined the PDK staff as its new chief financial officer.
De Leede was director of finance at the Atlantic Media Co., publisher of Atlantic magazine. Before that, he was director of finance at National Geographic Television and held finance positions at America Online (AOL), KPMG, and Marriott International. He has nearly 20 years of accounting and financial experience.
“In addition to his financial expertise, Gijs possesses excellent skills in analysis and forecasting that will be invaluable as we continue developing our business plan,” said Bill Bushaw, PDK executive director.
De Leede lives in Virginia and joined PDK's Washington staff in September, replacing former CFO Cathy Ruf.
A global education
Learn why a global education is important and get insights on how educators are providing it to students. It's all in William Kist's book, The Global School: Connecting Classrooms and Students Around the World (Solution Tree, 2012), which is the November selection of the PDK Book Club.
PDK members who have joined the Book Club will receive three such important books per year that will add to their knowledge and understanding of their chosen career and are delivered to the doorstep in July, November, and March. Get all three for only $39. The July selection was Bringing Innovation to School, Empowering Students to Thrive in a Changing World (Solution Tree, 2012). Sign up today by calling 800-766-1156 or add it to your membership when you renew.
What's the single most important thing to get done in a school turnaround?
Everything begins with strong leadership and a well-developed action plan. The school leader along with the leadership team should conduct a needs assessment of the school and identify areas of strengths and weaknesses. From this, a 90-day action plan should be developed to target specific, big-impact reforms that can be implemented right away.
What's your favorite thing?
My passion is being a servant to others. I believe that serving others begins with the heart and then it is translated into an action.
— Greg Patterson