It has been an honor to begin learning and LEADING with you over the past three days! As district level leaders we have the most essential role in taking CARE of our students, families, and the nearly 600 Community LEADERS (staff) throughout our school district. I am proud to know that in Nelson County Schools we work hard and we take this responsibility very seriously! I have been fortunate to have spent some time over the past six months listening to community members, teachers, parents, board, and industry leaders across Nelson County to continue conversation about the future of our district and our community. During these conversations about the future, one idea continued to resonate - the importance of Nelson County PRIDE! Nelson County PRIDE means many things to our community. Most importantly, it means PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST and providing powerful CARE for each other. PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST is the heart of all that we do and will be my primary focus for the months, weeks and years ahead. We will continue to make decisions that PUT PEOPLE FIRST.
As the Superintendent of Nelson County Schools, igniting a clear vision for Nelson County PRIDE is my first major priority. From this sense of PRIDE, we will live out a vision of INSPIRED LEARNING for not only students, but for each of us, as adults and professionals, investing deeply in our own learning together in close collaboration with our community. Essential to the first two priorities will be embracing a model of SHARED LEADERSHIP that empowers our district team and our schools to create the future they want together. When we bring people with different strengths to the table together, our intelligence multiplies and changes the conversation!
Additionally, the language and values from which we work together matters immensely. After many conversations with community members across Nelson County, I chose to frame a set of values that will help to begin guiding my collaboration as the Superintendent of Nelson County Schools. These values are organized within the first priority - Igniting Nelson County PRIDE. Please take some time to learn more about this initial conversation in the Community Centered Schools blueprint.
The purpose of the blueprint is to allow our District leadership team to deepen the conversation on the following questions:
1. What does it mean to be a community?
2. What is the purpose of school?
By focusing on these two questions in the coming year, I am certain we will experience significant growth as a Community of LEADERs and LEARNERs.
I am looking forward to creating the future of Nelson County Schools together with you. Here's to embracing possibility in the weeks ahead!
Wes
