I believe it is important to first acknowledge several parents and elected parent leaders from the Boards I served under while I, myself, served Lane Tech College Prep. I was fortunate to lead a school I once attended as a student, later taught as a teacher, and led as an assistant principal and finally principal. The support of elected Board officials is paramount for any principal (and certainly, any superintendent) to achieve and succeed. I was blessed to lead in such a capacity and partner with several Presidents and elected Board members. I would like to specifically recognize Lisa Applebaum, Carmen Mendoza, and Tony Torres for “leading with me” through a shared servant’s heart. Not once did Lisa, Carmen, or Tony ever micromanage my work, nor did they ever discount the many challenges we navigated during our time together. Most importantly, never once did they “leave their lane” or deviate from “the balcony to the dance floor.” While I have served in a number of administrative leadership roles as both a principal and superintendent, and in a variety of schools/districts, never once did I ever have to worry about Lisa, Carmen, or Tony undermining my work, the work of my administration, or the work of my staff. I know from firsthand experience that this is not always the case with Board members, and as other principals and superintendents can attest, managing a functional Board is key to successfully leading organizational success. Those power dynamics are vital for a leader to succeed and for the learning organization and community to excel. As a result of Lisa, Carmen, and Tony’s genuine service, we were able to transform the learning environment and our curricular offerings to serve the school community for decades to come.
I was also extremely fortunate to establish and nurture an incredibly strong partnership with my students’ parents and our parent organization (PTSO). I would like to acknowledge the work of my parent organizations’ members and especially, my PTSO President, Maureen George. Maureen worked tirelessly to transform the role of parents though our vision for shared leadership to improve community, parent, and student culture, climate, and outcomes. Maureen was pivotal in partnering and supporting me as an instructional leader while we navigated fundraising and addressed challenges we inherited (such as the school store and parents previously feeling unwelcomed). Maureen, our PTSO, and the hard working parents of all our students actively embraced our vision for improved curricular offerings and excellence.
I would also like to thank and recognize the efforts of several key parent stakeholders. I would like to thank Max and Megan DeZara, Dita and Tom Merkel, and Debi and Michael Prince for their contributions in supporting learning spaces for innovative teaching and learning while identifying resources to support the greater school community. Their contributions, which oftentimes took place “behind the scenes,” are “upfront and visible” everyday in the hallways and throughout the innovative spaces we created that teachers, staff and students explore daily.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the incredibly gifted and talented Lane Tech staff. Never, in my entire career, have I ever met a more gifted assemblage of dedicated teachers and support staff. It was a genuine pleasure collaborating and partnering to improve teaching and the daily experiences of all students. I would like to thank and recognize the efforts of Damir Ara, Joy Barrows, April Coleman, Marjorrie Custodio, Assma Daifallah, Michelle Daly, Brooke Day, Patrick Davey, Amy Diamond, Emily Finchum, Austin Flygt, Kathy Garbis, Jean Galiardo, Russ Hencinski, Alison Hildebrandt, Matt Hudson, Terrence Khuu, Kevin Kopack, Dan Law, Nick LoGalbo, Nick Markese, Molly Meacham, Bill Miceli, Haleemeh Mikbel, Jane and Norm Milsap, Gregg Mitchell, Brad O’Brien, Annie Owens-Robinson, Steve Parsons, Miriam Santana, Cynthia Smith, Jeff Solin, Joe Sweet, Brian Telles, Edwina Thompson, Kerri Thompson, Michelle Vale, Scott Vessalo, Monico Yadao, and David Yaffe. Wherever I go, and whatever I do, I will remember you and forever remember the honor of Lane.
Lastly, I would like to recognize the students of Lane Tech College Prep. You are the reason innovative curricular spaces exist and the raison d’être Lane Tech is a learning organization. As a fellow alumnus and first generation American, every decision I made while serving as an instructional leader was made to improve the student experience from the perspective of a former student. Every decision was also made as if it was for my own children. My hope is, as a result of the programs I developed, established, and led, that you excel academically, as well as socially and emotionally, and that you develop into creative, joyful adults. My desire and hope for you – never grow up. Grow into adulthood, but not up. Growing up infers growing out. Maintain your youthful intuit and childhood sense of Discovery Learning. With a sense of curiosity, and flair for creativity, all things in life are, after all, possible. Love life. You only get one.
Chris