Superintendent's Column
When it comes to teaching and learning, there are two relationships that are absolutely vital.One is the relationship between teacher and student. The most important thing a school system can do to ensure a child’s academic success is to provide a high quality teacher and then support that teacher. Strong teachers build strong connections with their students, recognizing their individual needs. Helping teachers maintain those connections through a healthy school environment and professional development opportunities is a responsibility I take very seriously as superintendent.
The other relationship – the subject of this Parent Matters newsletter – is between the home and the school. Parents or guardians and teachers best promote academic success when they are able to positively reinforce each other. When there are open lines of communication, with parents and teachers sharing the commitment to helping a child reach his or her potential, then a child’s success will be amplified.
I keep these two relationships in mind when I think about the changes that Wake County has experienced in the last few years. Our county is constantly growing. Our world is becoming more complex. Our academic standards and community expectations are rising. The Wake County Public School System must meet those challenges while strengthening these relationships.
For that reason I called for a top-to-bottom curriculum management audit of WCPSS’s academic program. The audit results called for our school system to take some significant actions to better support our vision that every child will graduate on time, prepared for the future. As the Wake County Board of Education and our staff evaluate the audit recommendations, we will be looking for ways to increase our support for teaching and learning – from the opening day of kindergarten to graduation day.
“Prepared for the future” is a key phrase in our vision. Today’s students will need the knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to a world that we can barely imagine. Working together, parents and educators can help our children grow into capable, confident adults ready for whatever challenges may come. I invite you to read this newsletter, talk to your teachers and principals, visit our website (www.wcpss.net) and learn more about how we can work together to present that future to your child.