Principal Walder's Monday Memo
For the Week of August 13, 2018
You Matter.
When I visited with many of you before this week, I asked you many questions. One of which was "What do you want our school to be known for?" And, overwhelmingly, you were proud to say that Tea Area teachers provide students with a rock-solid education to prepare them for their futures. You also said that we also welcome our community into our school and go out into our community with service projects. We make sure that our students, staff, and the Titan Community know each of "You Matter."
I believe that showing others in our community how much they matter starts the moment they walk on our campus. Welcome all visitors and parents with a smile and handshake. Specifically, thank them for taking the time to come into Legacy.
Next, I ask you to welcome all students with the same fervor. Greet all students at the door to your classroom. Show them they matter by taking the time to welcome them by name. In our building, we will have over 720 kids that need us to show up every day with our best smiles and best plans to support them as learners. This may be THE YEAR and you could be THE TEACHER that changes their lives forever. And that is only possible because of you and the relationship you form with each and every student that walks into your room. We cannot let possible future change shake us from our current mission.
We all need to get to the same point by the end of the school year: students on or above benchmark on assessments and ready for the next grade level, but before we get to any of that curriculum, we need to show students why we are here. We are there for them.
So, I challenge you to start the school year with engagement opportunities that focus on getting to know your students' passions for life as well as learning. While still setting clear expectations for classroom management, you can still smile and laugh.
Finally, this week, we get together as a full staff for the first time and one of the only times all year. Get out and visit with your fellow staff members at breakfast. Get to know some of the 27 new staff here this year. We are all in this together and need to be in this with each other.
You matter. What you do matters. The best part of teaching is that it matters. The hardest part of teaching is that every moment matters. Every day.
Find below a TEDx Talk from Angela Maiers and her #YouMatter Initiative. I look forward to seeing you all Wednesday at our first all staff meeting. It's going to be a great year! #KidsDeserveIt #TitanPride
Mrs. Walder's Schedule
Please note: This schedule is subject to change.
- 8:00 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 8:45- 9:30 Out of Legacy Office
- 9:30 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 10:15 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 11:00 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 1:00 Admin Meeting @ DEC
- 3:00 Meeting to Review Lunchroom
- 6:00 pm School Board Meeting @ DEC
Tuesday:
- District Registration Day at Tea High School Gym
- Stop in for your picture.
Wednesday:
- Welcome Back Professional Development Day
- Click Schedule Link below
Thursday:
- Day Two Welcome Back Professional Development Day
- Click Schedule Link below
Friday:
- 8:45 Individual Teacher Meeting
- 10:15 Individual Teacher Meeting
Contact Mrs. Walder
Email: Samantha.walder@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.teaschools.k12.sd.us/
Location: Tea, SD, USA
Phone: 605-498-2700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaAreaLegacy/
Twitter: @TASD_Legacy