Commentary; Posted: 9/5/07
Focusing on 2020
Lynn Steenblock
Guest Columnist
Another school year is upon us, and school district staff, students, and parents are preparing for another exciting year of learning.
As we welcome kids back to school, we also keep our eyes on the future –focusing on what our young learners need to know to be successful in life.
This year’s kindergartners are the class of 2020.
In the coming years, these children will be faced with new technology, new political, social and economic issues, and new challenges and opportunities beyond our wildest imaginations.
We have no idea what the world will look like in 12 years, but we do know that our young learners must be better-prepared, have advanced thinking skills, and be able to adapt quickly to change.
As a school district, we are committed to building on the strengths and successes of our past and incorporating change and innovation to create an even brighter future for our students.
Following our comprehensive Strategic Plan, we will continue to work toward our mission to develop individuals who excel in, and contribute to, a dynamic global society.
We are excited this year to launch a new Quality Compensation program for our teachers.
We believe this initiative will allow our teachers to improve upon their skills, enhance their professional development, and collaborate with their peers - all in an effort to improve academic achievement.
Our students will benefit as our teachers continue to work together to enhance the quality of instruction.
We will also begin to examine our technology and our facilities, and develop a plan to help us meet our future needs.
We’ll continue to review our curriculum to ensure we are providing students with the knowledge they need, and we’ll work to adapt our instruction to the individual needs of each learner.
The class of 2020, and the learners who come before and after them, deserve the very best. As the world changes so too must our schools.
We cannot continue to do the exact same things in the same ways and expect our students to be prepared.
As a community of learners, we must be open to change and always looking for ways to improve what we are doing.
We hope you will partner with us in developing educational opportunities that meet the unique needs of a new generation of learners.
Lynn Steenblock is superintendent of schools in ISD 831, Forest Lake.
Forest Lake Times
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Forest Lake, MN 55025
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