Welcome to my blog! I want to thank all members of the Davis Thayer community for their warm welcome as I begin my first year at DT as principal. At this time I am well on my way to establishing a clear picture of where we are as a school. I appreciate so much all the input I have received from parents, community members, teachers, and students. I am in the process of taking all of the data I have compiled and working to collaboratively create a vision of where we would like to go.
A big part of this process is me getting to know all of you. I have been spending time in classrooms learning students' names and developing relationships. During that time I am talking with students about what it means to me to be a principal. I am sharing with them that as principal I have two very important jobs. The first job is to make sure that everyone is safe, both physically and emotionally. The second job is to be sure they are learning every day. To that end, I am explaining that they all have a very important job each day, and that is to try, or "never give up" in the words of one of our second graders. Praising student effort rather than just achievement is key in helping students develop the ability to tackle challenges. Often children relate finding a task difficult or making a mistake as a reflection of their intelligence. In an article in the Summer 2008 volume of Educational Leadership Carol S. Dweck writes, "The wrong kind of praise creates self-defeating behavior. The right kind motivates students to learn." Remember to praise students for working hard and giving it their all is key to helping students develop perseverence! As many people have said in the past, smart isn't something you are, but something you become.
I look forward to continuing to build our relationship and developing a plan to help brings us where we want to go!
Mrs. Wilson
