10
principle-centered, student success
will be your reward. Although you
cannot worry about politics, you
must understand politics so it will not
drive major decisions that impact
student learning. Also, and equally
important, your desire for a contract
extension or salary increase should
never drive decisions. Stay focused
on the children.
A district’s human resources are
a critical part of the equation. You
can have the necessary financial
resources, systems, programs,
policies, practices and processes in
place; however, if your employees
do not excel based on a deep data
analysis, you must conclude that
they do not have either the will or
capacity to be successful. Therefore, you must have
the courage to remove them from the organization.
Of course, you will first provide the support
necessary to improve. Ultimately, all students
deserve to be served by employees with great
capacity.
Successfully educating all children is difficult
work. However, it is not mission impossible. To
succeed, one must collaborate with all people and
organizations that may implement, support, have a
strong feeling about, or be affected by decisions. A
smart leader finds ways to share decision-making by
consulting and collaborating. True collaboration
includes working with parents, community members,
organizations, businesses, teachers, unions,
administrators, support staff and legislators to
enhance academic success for all students. It is
futile to play the blame game; excuses do not change
existing conditions. It is more productive to improve
failing schools than to analyze who is at fault.
Remember, education may be the only safety net for
the less fortunate.
Making the changes necessary for all students to
succeed can be uncomfortable, and it can result in
complaints of “low morale,” “watering down the
curriculum” or “teaching to the test.” I’ve heard them
all, but I have never questioned the wisdom of
changing people, policies, practices, or programs
when it is in the best interests of students.
From the beginning of my career as a teacher to
my most recent assignment as Superintendent of
East St. Louis School District 189, I have been
committed to successfully educating all children. I
know that children in poverty will succeed under the
right conditions because I have been privileged to
see it happen.
(Continued from page 9)
“I am honored to be selected to serve the students and families in East St.
Louis,” said Culver at the time. “My entire career has been focused on improving
educational outcomes for disadvantaged students. A student’s zip code, family
income status, nor race should dictate their educational attainment. I am committed
to creating positive changes for the students and staff in District 189. Many of our
children come from economically disadvantaged homes, but they are rich in
intelligence, ability, and the will to succeed. “
--Arthur Culver, East St. Louis District 189 superintendent
Poverty in the public education classroom
