Often in education we talk about the importance of a commitment to lifelong learning. We are working diligently to ensure that our students begin to measure their success in terms of learning and progress, rather than simply a letter or a number grade. We are helping even our youngest students begin to collect evidence of their own learning, rather than simply relying on a teacher to be the only one responsible for this documentation.
We must remember that in our educational communities, we have many people besides the professional educators, who serve students and our families. I am proud that as I look around Montpelier Public Schools, there are many examples of lifelong learning, including from adults. One of the reasons I am so proud is that there are examples of lifelong learning from adults in our district, not just teachers.
One of those people is our School Resource Officer, Corporal Matt Knisley. Recently Matt graduated from Roger Williams University, completing first line supervisor command training. This is a two-week program at RWU and is conducted in partnership with the New England Chiefs of Police Association. It is noteworthy that all Montpelier Police Department sergeants and corporals are graduates of this leadership school.
Another individual demonstrating lifelong learning is the Head Custodian at Union Elementary School, Todd Keller. Todd is completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a Human Resources Management Certification. When Susan Koch was named the Vermont State Teacher of the Year award, part of it includes the gift of more education. After thoughtful reflection, Susan chose Todd who jumped at the opportunity and was effusively grateful.
The Montpelier Public Schools Board of School Commissioners put money aside in each negotiated agreement for further education and training. It is an expectation for educators to model this commitment to lifelong learning. It is a gift to the children and the adults in this district that there examples of lifelong learning that come from people other than teachers. It is my expectation as Superintendent, that all employees of Montpelier Public Schools make a commitment to grow and learn in their role.
It is one thing to put money aside for lifelong learning. It is one thing to say it you are a lifelong learner. It is another thing altogether to have stellar exemplars for our students, and adults, to look to of lifelong learning.
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