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When you run a school district of 89,000 students, about 12,800 employees and tens of thousands of parents, it’s a given that you’re going to be on the receiving end of headlines, sound bites, news stories and editorials that you don’t like.
I accept that – admittedly, somewhat grudgingly – as part of the job, because I always know there are thousands of people and accomplishments to be proud of in Albuquerque Public Schools. They just don’t always make the news.
So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, and with all due respect to my friends at the Journal, who generously afford me this space to share my thoughts, I thought I’d write a few headlines of my own:
♦ “Graduation Rates Stabilize or Grow in 12 of 17 APS High Schools” – It’s true. Albuquerque’s graduation rates, in spite of significant budget challenges, are better in 12 of our 17 comprehensive and alternative high schools. While there’s much work still to be done, that’s a huge accomplishment.
♦ “Community Partners Step In to Help APS Programs and Schools” – You simply could not put a price tag on the support APS gets from businesses and individuals. Many help through the APS Education Foundation’s Horizon Campaign, fundraisers like A is for Art! and the Superintendent’s Cup. Others volunteer time and resources in schools throughout the city. I know, and our employees know, that at the ground level, APS is the rallying point for our community.
♦ “International Baccalaureate Program Comes to APS” – Sandia High in 2013-14 will offer the renowned IB diploma program. IB works with more than 3,000 schools around the world, and Sandia will be one of the first public high schools in New Mexico to offer the program, in part because we want to offer more choices for parents, not fewer. To learn more about IB, go to www.aps.edu/ib.
♦ “Too Many Good Kids To List in One Headline!” – Every day, we have great students doing great things. I’m going to name a few names, thanks to New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union, which sponsors Student of the Week in the Journal: Brigette Lowe of Eldorado High; Victoria Namusavyumuremyi of Wilson Middle; Ashley Montoya of Edward Gonzales Elementary; Ellie Ford of Hubert Humphrey Elementary; Katerina Bonilla of Sunset View Elementary; Melinda Clibon of Cleveland Middle; Auston Nitz of Manzano Mesa Elementary; and Yalixza Gonzalez of Rudolfo Anaya Elementary. And, that’s just September and October!
♦ “Too Many Good Teachers, Too!” – Pepsi and the APS Education Foundation recognize the Teacher of the Month, and thanks to the Foundation’s Horizon Awards, we also honor innovators with grants that go directly to instruction. Our teachers of the month so far are: Tia Christmas of Governor Bent Elementary; Susan Leo Russell of Susie Rayos Marmon Elementary and Kim Crabtree of Jackson Middle School. The lead applicants for our Horizon Awards included: Gloria King of Eisenhower Middle; Heather Dahl of Eldorado High; Dale Simpkins of Hoover Middle; Debora Easton and Carl Brady of La Cueva High; Michele Lockhart-Henry and Lacy Fulbright of Rio Grande High; Sara Hutchinson of APS Fine Arts; Camilla Haneberg of Nex+Gen Academy; Laura Wicks of Kennedy Middle; Mona Grigsby-Suarez of Lew Wallace Elementary; Rhonda McDaniels of Manzano High; Sara Winsett of New Futures; Jennifer Abeyta and Hannah Hancock of Painted Sky Elementary; Scott McIndoo and Heidi Wells of Volcano Vista High; Carmen Trujillo of E.G. Ross Elementary; Ronda Davis of Highland High; Eleni Georgiou of Pajarito Elementary; Rebecca Gardner of Roosevelt Middle; Adolphus Washington of Sandia High; Tania Salinas of Sunset View Elementary and Arlene Rickard of Valley High. And, that’s not even mentioning the 50 co-applicants in these grants.
Now, that’s pretty impressive company.
I wouldn’t pretend to be able to write a newspaper headline or produce a TV news story, but as we enter the holidays, I want you to know I’m grateful for the everyday stories of success that I know to be true throughout this district, all districts. These folks are the meat-and-potatoes – in November, the turkey and stuffing – of what we do. I’m thankful to the people who make it happen for kids, and for the kids themselves.
So thankful.
Winston Brooks, Albuquerque’s school superintendent, writes a monthly column. Send comments or questions to superintendent@ aps.edu.
