A – Accountability is paramount for the growth and development of teachers, students and parents. I will convey how self and peer-to-peer accountability can lead to a more sustainable, empowered, and proactive environment. The ability to take responsibility for one's actions helps reduce the intrusion of self-entitlement and the denial of mistakes.
C – Culture is simply defined as the way a particular class, school, or community does things on a daily or consistent basis. We must be intentional about creating a culture of positive dialogue, shared responsibility, servant leadership, and love. Not only must the teachers create a positive culture, the parents must also do the same. The actions of the students will not be in congruence with extraordinary desires if there is no communication between the models at home and the models at school.
T – Transparency - The problems we faced in the past may be a solution for someone in the future! As educators, it is important to involve personal stories of struggle and what it took to become a victor and not a victim. Students will respond to a spirit of transparency because, in all things, we must first EARN THE RIGHT to mentor and teach those whom we are charged with changing in this world.
I – Integrity - It is not simply good enough to do the right things, we must also do things the right way. Leadership, character, and morality create an environment that makes others change for the better. Success will not be obtained if it is pursued in an ungodly or ill-mannered way.
O – Optimism - I have seen too many instances of children being labeled before they ever step into a classroom. We owe it to these young men and women to point out their "ceiling ability" and what steps they need to take to get there. An optimistic view can inspire a student to work harder than he or she ever has before. Maya Angelou once said, "People may not remember what you said, they may not remember what you did, but they will ALWAYS remember how you made them feel!"
N - Never Ending Love - Love is the foundation of discipline, correction, training, and teaching. The desire to be loved is prevalent in the children of today and it is necessary to allow them to see how much they mean to this world. Love covers a multitude of sins and in those moments, young men and women will realize they are here for a purpose and will work to walk in that purpose forever.
