BOBCAT NATION,
This weekend I met up with a store manager for breakfast. This person has been in retail for the past 25 plus years, he worked at a well-known store for 25 years, and was recently named as the store manager at a national retail store in Brownsville. He went on to tell me that at his previous job he was given a list of twenty names that he had to get rid of within six months. He then explained me that his job was not to get rid of people but rather to help them improve and that in turn would help the store. After the six months, he was called in by the regional director and was asked about his progress in getting rid of those individuals. The number was three, which didn't sit well with the regional director. He explained, the three individuals left on their own accord because they did not want to conform to the values and vision of the team. In contrast, the other seventeen decided to stay and align themselves to the values and vision. After the six months, sales had gone up! He reminded the regional director, with all due respect, I'm here to improve sales not to get rid of people.
Naturally, this conversation got me thinking about Rio Hondo High School PTECH. Me included, we are not here to get rid of anyone. If anything, we need each of you to be successful and to continue to grow. I was not hired to get rid of anyone but rather to help our campus become better than what it was. Currently looking back, I am very proud of what we have accomplished. These last few years haven't been easy but yet we have persevered.
Accomplishments
- We went from a 74 to an 85 on our campus report card.
- We have endured the pandemic.
- We have learned about remote learning.
- We have an educational platform in Schoology for all students.
- We became a PTECH campus.
- We have one of the lowest teacher turnover rate.
- Our students have access to laptops and Chromebooks.
- We are strengthening our CTE programs.
- Opened a Medical Health Science Lab.
- Our extra-curricular programs continue to excel.
Again, each one of us is expected to align ourselves to our values and vision. I would rather have difficult conversations now and get everyone on the same page than to see someone go.
Current Initiatives and Expectations
- Submit lesson plans on a weekly basis.
- Post grades weekly.
- Arrive on time and dress accordingly.
- We are a PTECH campus and there are certain expectations.
- TSI and Dual Enrollment are crucial components of PTECH.
- Greet students by the door.
- Bell Ringers and Exit Tickets must be done daily.
- Lectures should not be longer than 15 minutes.
- Don't send out students to other classes. Your class is too important!
- No restroom passes, the first or last 10 minutes of instruction.
- Contact parents immediately. Don't let things get out of hand.
- Bring a positive energy to school.
- Departments should be working as teams not as individuals.
- Application for Teacher Incentive Allotment.
