Guest Commentary: Year-end offers opportunity to look forward
It is December; we normally talk about the end of the year, reminisce about accomplishments, goals met and goals not met. In my opinion we should focus on the future, 2022, only looking back at ways to improve! We need to look forward with the thought of getting even better. We cannot continue to travel the road of the past, but look to the future road and where it will lead us. To quote one of my favorite poems by Robert Frost:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood,
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;”
The two roads can be the past year and the New Year. Let us focus on the beginning of a New Year, new opportunities.
In education, everything we do sets the foundation of what is to come!
What is to come, ultimately are the goals and dreams of our students and the success of our community. Education is all about enriching the individual learning process for each student. There is no end to education, inquiry, and exploration. We launch experiences that last a lifetime, the spark that grows into a future flame of success!
What are some of our successes this year? We can review the past year to provide direction for the future.
We gave every student the opportunity to come back to school, where they learn best after an educationally devastating year.
We evaluated their skills and are working on closing those unfortunate academic gaps.
We are addressing the resources, inequities and needs of all students and refocusing our priorities.
We managed to hold together a community while maneuvering through the landmines of unprecedented issues.
We maintain that educating our children and keeping them safe is at the top of everyone’s list.
We opened new schools to accommodate growth.
We hired and trained staff that is at the frontline for our students learning.
Yes, we have much to celebrate and yet monumental challenges remain.
What can we focus on in the New Year?
Focus on hiring a leader for this district that has the expertise and big picture view of how to maintain the best practices and improve where needed with innovative ideas.
Focus on continuing to improve communication, transparency, and equity of resources.
Continue to focus on ways to keep students and staff safe in the school environment.
Make it a priority to focus on and improve ways to close the achievement gap.
Focus on lessening the Digital Divide so that all students/families have the same opportunities.
Improve ways to enhance the work experience for all staff and respect the monumental job they do. Taking care of all staff will maintain those we have and attract others. Staffing is critical to help close the achievement gap.
The end of the year is not a conclusion; it is another beginning, another opportunity to do things differently, collaboratively. We must listen to different thoughts and opinions, to become even better than before! We can use 2021 as our template and adapt when necessary. That’s what education does; it gives us constant choices to different paths in life but not knowing where they lead after the bend. Remember, There is no end to education, inquiry, and exploration!
May you all have a Happy and Blessed Holiday!
— School Board Member Gwynetta S. Gittens represents District 5, which includes Lehigh Acres