This year there are many new faces in our district that have provided an exciting opportunity for collaboration and new ideas. PATIENCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING have been crucial in continuing our efforts to provide students a positive educational experience. Adequate training, creating a culture of trust, and understanding we are all learning and growing together, are part of building capacity which ultimately leads to serving our students at the highest level.
As we prepare to wrap up this school year, it is important to understand where we have been and where we currently are, to fully understand where we CAN go as a TEAM.
As we keep in mind that it takes a minimum of 3-5 years before a culture can effectively change, here are a few facts I’d like everyone to keep in mind moving forward:
- Over the last two years, 20% of MUCSD teachers were new to the district
- Over the last three years, 80% of MCUSD administrators were new to their positions
- In 2016-17
- 50% of administrators were new to their position
- Both MCTA and CSEA Presidents were new to their position
- Four of five School Board seats were up for election
- As of April 2017, one School Board seat remains vacant
Considering the points mentioned above, we must ensure we take time to celebrate the progress we have made, while being very clear in understanding the hard work we all have ahead of us.
I have been impressed by the welcoming environments, collaboration, teamwork I have witnessed among colleagues during my site visits. Over the last few years, we have seen many experienced employees retire, and we have welcomed many dedicated professionals to our TEAM. During this transition, colleagues have reached out to support and collaborate with new TEAM members, an effort that showcases our staff’s dedication to serving our students and each other.
As we wrap up the 2016-17 school year, we have begun to fill vacancies for next year. It is heartwarming to see the supportive environments that have been created across our district, that will allow new employees to build capacity as lifelong learners along with all of us. Each of us continues to develop our skill set helping us adequately serve those who we work for, our students. In preparation for next year, we must continue to practice patience, build our capacity, invest in each other, and give ourselves the opportunity to learn and grow professionally and collectively.
Our work continues!
Warm regards,
Jeff Aranguena
Mariposa County Unified School District
Director of Human Resources/Student Services
