LEADING THROUGH LISTENING

'Tis that time of year where everyone in the world of education talks about getting in their last few events of the summer before school starts. Kids are preparing for the upcoming year by maybe doing some back to school shopping, visiting their school for an orientation, wrapping up that summer project. Teachers and staff alike are preparing their classrooms and their plans for the year as we eagerly await the students coming to school next week. In the meantime, during this last official week of summer vacation in New York, please make sure to take some time for you as well. As with any profession, the school year will come with many ups and downs, positives and negatives, and memories to be made. The next 10 months will move at a feverish pace and it's vital that we are all fresh and ready to go. This past weekend, I ventured to the New York State Fair for the first time this year and will probably make a few more trips this week to spend some time with family and friends...

Have you ever wondered what it meant to get a 72 on a test? Or how about a 43, or a 3? What do all the numbers mean on this grand scale of 100 points that our education system is so devoted to? In life, we are rarely judged by numbers for our actions. Okay, there is the teacher evaluation model which provides scores... But again, that's education. It seems that everything needs to be justified by a number. Why? What's the end game besides making one person, or worse yet a kid, feel insignificant compared to the next. In life, we measure success in terms of black and white. You did it, or you didn't. Last time you baked a cake; did anyone say, "Wow this cake is an 87" or "this cake is a 3 on the rubric." We don't evaluate our life skills this way so why are we trying to evaluate KNOWLEDGE with numbers. As adults, we know there is more than 1 way to do everything. It's time that we, as adults and educators, transform education to promote the ac...

The past 6 months have not been necessarily easy for the Rome City School District family as we have seen tragic loss of life on an all too frequent basis. This past weekend, longtime Rome teacher and current RFA teacher, Peter Mastracco lost his most recent battle with cancer. For those that knew Mr. Mastracco, he was one of a kind. He spent time at both RFA and Strough and has family connections all throughout the RCSD. Beyond the classroom, Peter was a staple of the RFA hockey coaching staff who constantly worked with our young men on how to become better athletes on the ice, but more importantly better men off of it. In the classroom, Mr. Mastracco worked tirelessly to improve the lives of each and every student who entered through his door. He was constantly seen throughout RFA with a smile on his face and a skip in his step. Our entire school community was a better place because of Peter Mastracco. As would be said for any legend of any profession, he was One For the Ages!! When ...