Sunday, May 17, 2009

Our Top Ten Students Are Amazing

“We have one purpose: learning.”


That sentence, which is part of our positioning statement, was certainly clear this week as Angela and I had the good fortunate to attend our high school Honor Breakfasts.

At these events, our high schools salute the graduating seniors who are in the Top Ten Percent of the 2009 Senior Class, then the Top Ten Graduates, and finally the Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

These teenagers are amazing. They are not only intelligent, but they are also community-minded, amazingly talented, and extremely focused. In C-FB ISD, we say that “we do not compromise high expectations for students and staff.”

Well, these groups of students are prime examples that high expectations are the norm in C-FB ISD. Numerous hours working in the community, being involved in the fine arts or athletics, and taking multiple advanced placement courses were the norm for these graduating seniors.

But, what we saw the most was enthusiasm. They are enthusiastic about whatever task they are doing -- studying, playing, learning, volunteering -- all with a gladden heart. After all, enthusiasm can move the world.

These honor graduates are so enthusiastic, so involved, so committed to purpose. I know that our community, state and nation are in good hands with these future leaders.

Friday, May 8, 2009

We Are Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District

“We are the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District.”

That sentence starts off our positioning statement. Exactly, who is Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District? Well, several groups make up our district, and each is vital to our success – families, staff, and business owners/workers.

Today, we are focusing on the people who have chosen C-FB ISD as their work home. We have great people who work in C-FB ISD. Our team models this Albert Einstein quote, “Your job is a self-portrait. Autograph it with excellence.”

At the heart of any effective public school are classroom teachers. We truly believe that the teaching profession is the most valuable. Without educators, professions such as scientists, lawyers, technology experts, doctors probably would not exist.

A great teacher always challenges us to do more than thought we could, be more than we thought we could be, and achieve more than we thought could. C-FB ISD has so many, many remarkable teachers who do just that for their students.

This week, Angela and I along with Dr. Burns and Dr. Cole joined the C-FB ISD Educational Foundation Board members. We handed out 17 teacher grants around the district. We had a great time making surprise visits with Foundation Board members to the classrooms. There were lots of cheers and jumping up and down as teachers learned that they were receiving money for their ideas.

“We are the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District.” Watch this video and see some of the faces of the C-FB ISD family who make our school district an innovative leader in learning.