SuptMessage-1-28-11

January of 2011 ushers in new challenges as a group of "fresh" legislative members and executives take office at every level of government. We are only recently removed from the bust of the property market bubble and financial crisis. It is imperative that we pursue a better understanding of our economic environment for we are not out of the woods. Undoubtedly changes lay ahead for public education as discussion focuses on no taxes, budget deficits, and balance sheet adjustments. We live in an age with increasing pressure to improve return on investment (R.O.I.). In the push for improvement, an organization's biggest investment and its primary assets are its "human capital"; people are at the center of everything we do at Wayne Local. Successful organizations recognize that intellectual capital and knowledge management are ingredients of success. People or "human capital" increase in value with time unlike other assets that depreciate in value and can be written off. Recognizing that both knowledge and skill are a form of capital; we have made a deliberate investment to place talented teachers and support staff with our children. We firmly believe that hiring and retaining a great staff is at the center of cultivating and sustaining consistent improvement in student performance.

It is important that we celebrate and recognize "Excellence" in its many different forms. Starting this month I plan to profile district staff, alumni and students who are committed to excellence and notable accomplishments. I will be placing the spotlight on individuals who truly further the aims and pillars of Wayne Local Schools by going "beyond the call of duty" not merely settling for the ordinary.

Mrs. Tess Rivero is our first Profile of Excellence. She is the math department chair at Waynesville. In 2009 Mrs. Rivero was honored as a National Board Certified Teacher. Tess possesses unique, individual, and exceptional classroom teaching strategies responsive to the needs of her students. Besides classroom teaching, she has actively participated in professional organizations and volunteers many hours to mathematics education. Tess holds herself to high expectations and encourages all students to work hard by sharing her passion for math. Mrs. Rivero recently was featured by the Southern Regional Educational Board's High Schools That Work Initiative as a teacher Breaking the Mold to Produce Graduates Ready for Success in College and Careers. Tess has become a leader in making greater use of technology in authentic projects and problem-based learning to engage students in their studies. She presented to colleagues in Cincinnati, Toledo and Louisville on how to use a SMART Board and the internet to increase student learning in the classroom

When asked what Excellence mean to her, Mrs. Rivero replied, "Excellence is a habit. It is doing your best on everything you do, day in and day out. Excellence in teaching means devoting to my lessons the same effort and energy that I ask my students to give. It means going the extra mile to make sure my students are ready for standardized tests and for future classes. Excellence means having high standards for myself and for all of my students. To quote a movie, "If you build it, they will come." I believe that if I establish a high level of expectations for my students and I help them along the way, then they can accomplish anything.

Pat Dubbs, Superintendent