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NCSD Mission: Every Learner a Champion
By Dr. Joel Dvorak
Every organization must have a mission.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy spoke to Congress and challenged our nation to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade. “No single project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish,” he said. In July 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon.
In 1934, Walt Disney gathered a group of artists in an empty studio and acted out a dramatic three-hour story about a princess, seven little men and a wicked witch. Then, he told his crew they would make the world’s first, full-length animated film. In 1939, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs won a special Academy Award and became the first in a series of our society’s most beloved animated movies.
As incoming superintendent of the Natrona County School District, my mission for our schools is to ensure that every learner is a champion.
For me, this is a moral imperative. It is our responsibility as an organization dedicated to education to make sure that all our children have the opportunity to succeed in the lives they choose after graduation. But we must look beyond our students, as well. I believe that every child, every staff member, every teacher, every board member must be learning and growing, becoming champions not only of their own futures, but the futures of one another.
It may not be an easy mission, but it is one that, if we are successful, will change lives for our next generation.
One of my first charges as superintendent will be to lay the groundwork for the strategic intent of this district. As a community, we will define what it means to be a graduate of the Natrona County School District, and we will determine how our systems must work to give every student the opportunities to succeed.
Our document of strategic intent also will help us to identify how we can best achieve the goals set forth by the NCSD Board of Trustees.
We will ensure that all students – and all learners – in our schools are safe and healthy.
We will make student achievement the cornerstone of this administration and the driving force behind our decisions and programs.
We will be good stewards of the public trust, taking care of not only the students our community sends to us, but also our financial resources and facilities.
We will develop healthy, positive relationships between our staff and students, between schools and the district, between the district and the community.
Our mission is clear, and our path to accomplishing it will be clear, as well. I will lead this district with clarity and transparency. I don’t want it to be a mystery where this school district is, where we are going or how we will know we are on the right track.
We must all work together to support the children of our community. This is the only way to shine the light on the path to greatness for every child in the Natrona County School District.
We have a great deal of work ahead of us, but we have a great purpose for our work. Together, we will make every learner a champion.
Joel Dvorak is the superintendent of the Natrona County School District. He took office July 1.
July 1, 2008
New superintendent introduces NCSD mission
(previously recorded)
NCSD superintendent sets mission for district
The Natrona County School District will be a place where every learner can be a champion.
That’s the new mission introduced Tuesday by new superintendent, Dr. Joel Dvorak.
Dvorak, who served as assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the district, took office Tuesday, following the retirement of Dr. Jim Lowham.
During a first-day-of-office press conference, Dvorak said he believes it is a moral imperative that every learner – child, teacher, staff member, administrator and board member alike – have the opportunity to become champions.
“They must be learning and growing and becoming a champion not only for their futures, but for the futures of others,” he said.
In order to make this mission a reality, Dvorak said he will begin immediately in laying the groundwork for a strategic intent for the district. The community will need to work together to define what it means to graduate from Natrona County schools, and the district will have to set clear, measurable goals to make sure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Dvorak said he will work to lead with clarity and transparency during his time in office.
“I don’t want it to be a mystery where the school district is, where we’re going or how we will know if we’re getting there,” he said.
Dvorak also said that a strategic intent will guide the district’s work in fulfilling the NCSD Board of Trustees’ four goals: safe and healthy learning environments; student achievement; stewardship; and positive relationships.
“We need a vision, mission and goals,” Dvorak said. “Only through these can we shine the light on the path to greatness for every child in the Natrona County School District.” | |
