An opportunity

By Joe Quintana

Superintendent

Welcome back everyone.

After a safe and restful break, I know that you returned with a renewed sense of energy and commitment to the work ahead. I know that everyone is working hard to make sure every child in our care is learning and, when they are not, that they are provided more time and support to master the concepts with which they struggle. I know our jobs are demanding, but I also know you are committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure all of our students are learning.

Superintendent Joe Quintana

As most of you know, the holidays can be stressful, turbulent times for so many. As a result crime seems to increase, domestic violence appears to be more prevalent, and we seem to hear more about disturbing incidences that impact children. Over the holidays were heard the disturbing stories of a 13-year-old boy, a student in the Madison School District, who was killed by his father, and about a young lady in Casa Grande who was suffocated by her mother after she refused to ingest a toxic drink the mother prepared for her and her siblings.

As we return from the break, we need to renew our commitment to provide the children we serve with a safe, positive, structured, and nurturing environment every day when they walk through the doors of our schools. I know that you are well aware that it is our responsibility to make sure children are free of ridicule, intimidation, physical aggression and other negative behaviors when they are in our care. When visiting schools, three things often stir my emotions. The first is when I see the light bulb go on for children and they are excited about what they are learning. The second is when I see adults interact with children in a tender, caring manner. And the third is when I see children exhibit tenderness and concern for a fellow student or an adult. We know that some of our students go home to unsettled and, at times, volatile situations. But as educators, we have the opportunity to be a place of refuge and learning for children every day.

As I walk through our classrooms, I am amazed and impressed by the creativity in how instruction is delivered, and with the obvious effort that is being made. Our students deserve our best effort each day. This is what we signed up for when we chose to be educators.

As we embark on the second half of the school year, we need to remember that we have an opportunity every day to make or break a child’s day. As public school educators and members of the GESD Team, we have made a commitment to provide students a safe, comfortable, and positive place for growing and learning. Students, while in our care, can and will be successful. Thank you for making that commitment and for everything that you do for students each day!