March 2009

Each year, we have the opportunity to add new staff to our school. There is a ton of literature on the qualities of effective workers, but I was thinking...We have some really great people at our school already - teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians, interventionists - who make a tangible positive difference. What are the talents they have that make them stand out? Our best staff members:

* Care about our bottom line, * Act as if each child¡¦s time is important to them, * Do not punish a child for the choices her/his parents made, * Thrive on ¡§feed-forward¡¨ to develop their skills, * Listen to, read about, and try new things and share their experiences to build knowledge, * Engage in a life outside school through families, friendships or avocations, and * Smile with their eyes.

So, as we search for adults to work at Oakland Elementary School, we look for people who exhibit these qualities. How do we identify them? I can tell you it does not come from a perfect interview. We find them by chatting with people who know them and looking at how they interact with staff, students, and parents before, during, and after the interview. We look for connections.

Our children deserve the very best, and it¡¦s my job to provide that. Look for a place to make a positive difference in the lives of children or look for a place where your own children will grow and I know you will find it. Thanks for checking out our website. I do hope you¡¦ll enjoy your visit and find something that makes you smile with your eyes. If you want to know more, contact me at Reggie_Robinson@dpsk12.org to arrange a visit.

Sincerely, Reggie Robinson Principal