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Superintendent Eva Joseph, joined by
leaders from the school district and the National Urban Alliance for
Effective Education, celebrated the beginning of the 2006-07 school year
on Tuesday by encouraging district faculty and staff to stay hopeful and
courageous as they make a difference in the lives of students.
“Our students can and will meet the
high expectations we have for them,” Dr. Joseph said at the faculty and
staff convocation on Tuesday, a day before students return to classes.
“Learning is the order of the day.”
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"Our students can and will
meet the high expectations we have for them. Learning is the
order of the day."
— Superintendent Eva Joseph
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The district has engaged the National
Urban Alliance for Effective Education (NUA), a nationally known
education nonprofit, to help it reach its goal of closing the
achievement gap and ensuring success for all students. The 2006-07
school year marks the first full year that the district and the NUA will
work together on professional development strategies that the NUA has
successfully implemented in urban districts across the country.
Dr. Eric Cooper, the NUA's president
and founder, gave the keynote address at
the annual Superintendent’s Conference Day event on Tuesday, and said he
was asked by several districts to speak at their convocation, but chose
Albany because it is “the most important city in the most important
state” of the country.
He challenged teachers to build upon
students’ real world knowledge to help them learn, give them the hope
they need to realize their dreams, and never to set low expectations. He
reiterated his deep belief in the capacity of all children to learn and
excel.
“As individuals working on a team, we
can succeed in ways that you have no idea,” Dr. Cooper said.
Dr. Joseph said the district begins
the year with much enthusiasm after a summer of planning for success.
She said district staff should focus on three major areas this year:
strong leadership, quality teaching and being accountable for results.
Dr. Joseph introduced several staff
members recently appointed to key leadership positions, and cited
numerous exciting initiatives underway in the district. These include
the NUA partnership, a restructured program for 9th grade
students at Harriet Gibbons High School, and a recently completed,
first-ever 3-day orientation program for new teachers.
Also this year, the Superintendent has
asked every school to craft a Respect Campaign in its building.
“Our schools must be safe and
orderly,” she said. “Working collaboratively, we’re going to firmly
establish our schools as respectful, orderly institutions of learning
for all who walk through the doors.”
Both Dr. Joseph and Board of Education
President Edward H. Brown Jr. said they were excited about the promise
held by the start of the year, as well as the NUA partnership. Brown
said his goal is for the district to close the achievement gap by the
end of the decade.
“Let’s declare today to be the
official lift-off toward that trajectory,” Mr. Brown said.
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