From the Desk of the Superintendent

It is a pleasure for me to be here as your new superintendent of St Johns Public Schools.  My wife, Marlene, and I arrived in St Johns on June 30^th and I began work in the district office on July 1^st.  It has been a busy time for me picking up the reins of a complex education organization.  St Johns is fortunate to have many dedicated professionals working on behalf of the children and families of this community.  I had the opportunity this spring to meet most of the people working in our schools and I was very impressed with the individuals that I met and the conversations that we enjoyed.  Their singular focus was on the education of the children of St. Johns and how they could improve what they do.

Marlene and I have twin daughters, Anne and Sarah, who we left behind in Denver L but, as Anne was married in November, and Sarah will be married in August, I don’t think that they were interested in joining us in Michigan anyway L. Both graduated from college last year and are building wonderful lives of their own.  I am very proud of my family; I admire their integrity and the value system that guides their lives.  It will be good for Dad to have the opportunity to grow on his own JJ.

My vision for St Johns’ schools, above all else, starts with physical and mental safety where the dignity of all children and adults is defended and protected.  Second, is academic rigor to hone every child’s skills to compete in a global environment.  I use the expression world-class education to describe an education driven by communication, numeracy, critical and creative thinking, the arts, technological literacy, social values and skills, and independent learning:

• Communication, focuses on improving students' understanding of language demands;
• Numeracy, is concerned with developing students' knowledge, skills, and appreciations of mathematical ideas, techniques, and applications;
• Critical and creative thinking, is intended to develop students' abilities to create and evaluate ideas, processes, experiences, and objects;
• The arts help children develop literacy skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening as well as encourage divergent thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling students to think creatively;
• Technological literacy, is concerned with improving students' understandings of how technological systems are integral parts of social systems;
• Personal and social values and skills, include the personal, moral, social, and cultural aspects of each school subject and of the school environment;
• Independent learning, focuses on the creation of opportunities and experiences necessary for students to become capable, self-reliant, self-motivated, and life-long learners.

America will retain its greatness and its position in the world order only if we provide our children with the best possible education that we can afford.  I want St Johns graduates to have choices where they can decide what they want their lives to be.  I believe that choice is key to freedom.

John F. Kennedy said, “Liberty without learning is always in peril and learning without liberty is always in vain.”  I believe that true freedom is enjoyed by an educated public and as Thomas Jefferson said, “Freedom is the first-born daughter of science.”  We owe it to our children to look after them well and develop them into good citizens just as our parents and grandparents worked hard on our behalf.

I look forward to working with you as your superintendent of St Johns Public Schools.  If I can ever be of assistance to you please feel free to call me at 989-227-4001.