Principal Selection 'Next Steps'
Stephen Foster Elementary
MISSION, VISION AND CORE VALUES
MISSION:
The TJ Feeder schools embrace diverse learning opportunities which honor the unique strengths and capabilities of all Scholars.
VISION:
The TJ feeder schools aspire to educate and prepare all Scholars to positively impact our community and the world.
CORE VALUES:
Innovation, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence
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A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Faculty & Staff,
I would like to take this opportunity to ensure that you are aware of where School Leadership is at this point in the principal selection process for Stephen Foster. In the principal selection process, it is hopeful that a candidate can be identified shortly after the community panel and introduced to the staff and community. School Leadership is committed to selecting a highly qualified instructional leader dedicated to students, staff and the community. As we continue in this process, the goal is to remain transparent and to effectively communicate where we stand in the selection process. If the communication has not met your expectations, we sincerely apologize.
The formal principal selection process for DISD:
Candidate interviews
Community Panel interviews (next steps for Foster)
Meeting with Deputy Chief and Chief of School Leadership
Meeting with the Superintendent of Schools (only when recommendation has been made by the Chief of School Leadership)
Formal introduction to Community and Staff
*In the event a candidate is not selected from School Leadership, the process will continue with interviewing candidates.
* In the event a candidate is identified in the summer months, an email notification will be sent out to staff introducing the identified principal candidate. Then, the formal introductions to the staff and community will be in the month of August.
Thank you for your commitment to excellence and serving the students at Stephen Foster Elementary.
Educationally,
Angie Torres
Thomas Jefferson Executive Director
Top 3 Campus Priorities
1. Strong Instructional Leadership: The effective school leader has significant experience in elementary education and understand the needs of the population they serve. The leader is knowledgeable and experienced in various strategies to support all populations. They are transparent and respectfully communicate; open to receiving and providing feedback and embodies the values that are established to maximize student and teacher success. Leader uses data to support student and professional development and empowers others through building teacher capacity, peer observations, side by side coaching/coaching model that emphasizes modeling lessons with ongoing monitoring system, collaboration and empathy.
2. Parent and Community Involvement: Principal ensures effective communication between school and parents/community in which embodies a culture of trust. They encourage a welcoming environment and positive parent and community involvement through Parent and Community instructional workshops, volunteer opportunities, learning nights, Home Visit project, extracurricular clubs and community partnerships. The leader shows humility, is culturally responsive, and is an advocate for parents, students and the learning community.
3. Communicates a Positive Culture and Climate: Great staff cultures come from consistent actions that are aligned to the school's mission. Leaders seeks input from stakeholders and build systems to support the social and emotional needs of students, staff/faculty and parents. Leader strives to positively ensure respect, collaboration and team building is practiced daily as well as ensures to teach appropriate student behaviors and consistently holds staff and students accountable to district and building policy and procedures.
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Top 5 Characteritics of a New Principal
1. Communication: Effective communication is the most important responsibility because it is integrated into all aspects of leadership.
2. Culture: Culture is the shared values, beliefs, and feelings of a community, and is evident in the artifacts and symbols that illustrate those priorities. Establishing a culture of achievement in the school is one of the most important responsibilities of the leader.
3. Relationships: Positive student, teacher, and community relationships are central to the achievement of many other responsibilities. It is with face-to-face connections that one can build the credibility with other people.
4. Flexibility: Leaders realize the situations and adapt their behaviors to address any situation that may arise. These traits are also evident in the change agent responsibility.
5. Resources: It is imperative for efficient operations that one is knowledgeable and has the ability to build and foster community partnerships to further access resources to meet the needs of staff and students.