Leading By Learning
by Kristen Okabayashi, Hope Principal
This year I have the privilege of participating in an intensive principal training program based in Chicago called Principal 360. Over the course of the year, I will complete five courses led by educational experts through bi-weekly online classes and three in-person sessions in Chicago. The program culminates in a professional certification and is designed to “develop and equip a united network of school principals as visionary educational thought leaders skilled at crafting and implementing a customized, comprehensive strategic plan.”
I have been blessed to serve at Hope for the past 16 years, and I remain deeply committed to helping our school continue to grow and thrive. To do that well, it is important for me to seek out best practices and work closely with our veteran leadership team to set a clear and purposeful vision for the future.
This year we are already taking important steps in that direction. Our team is updating our vision and mission statements, completing a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats), and re-establishing principal and peer classroom observations to provide teachers with meaningful and supportive feedback.
By the end of the program next fall, I will have developed a five-year strategic plan for Hope School that will help guide our continued growth and strengthen the excellent education we provide for our students. Next year, our school will also go through the process of reaccreditation with Cognia. I am excited about where Hope is headed, and I am grateful for our wonderful community. Thank you for being an important part of the journey, and to the Eagle Excellence Fund for course registration.
