https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa Principal Matt Cavanaugh en-us 2019-04-13 19:38:17 UTC 2026-01-20 18:32:54 UTC hello@padlet.com lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351402580 This is my second year as principal at Clark Davidson Elementary. Prior to that, I was assistant principal and athletic director for two years at Eisenhower Middle School. Then, prior to that I was a fourth grade teacher for six years total. Five of those were at Apollo Elementary in Goddard, and my first year of teaching I was a fourth grade teacher at Linwood Elementary in Wichita. ]]> 2019-04-13 19:42:09 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351402580 lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351403627 Initially, I did not think that I would choose the teaching profession. I was going to do business, preferably on either coast. I just wanted to get out of Kansas. Found out after starting school that the decision was not for me. So I began to think about what I was interested in. Education had been on my mind at times, but being fresh out of high school, it was not on the top of my priority to head back into the schools. Spending some time away from school, I started to realize how much I really liked the Goddard school district. I began to work with elementary students to get some observation hours in, and that was a turning point for me. I ultimately decided to major in Elementary Education. ]]> 2019-04-13 19:57:15 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351403627 lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351404691 To be a good listener and build relationships. You do not need to be an expert coming in. Building relationships with everyone including students to help within your classroom, with staff to help with your development, and with parents because you will have that support at home.]]> 2019-04-13 20:12:01 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351404691 lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351405084 No two days are the same. You will have something and you won't know the answer. You will realize that one strategy that works for one student may not work for another. Everything is not all cookie cutter, but a way to get through that is to problem solve and be flexible. The rewards to teaching are all over the place. Seeing the kids light bulb the growth, the culture in the building, enjoying working with the staff, and loving what you do while working with kids. There are so many beneficial things kids see from the moment you come in the building until the moment you leave. ]]> 2019-04-13 20:18:48 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351405084 lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351407405 Professionalism to me means having a positive attitude while being respectful. Treating people with respect when working with each other and with the students. Sometimes the best ability is availability. This means that you are here, and if you know of a reason why you will not be here, you need to be as upfront as you can be. Because ultimately, we are here to set kids up for success. Some qualities that I seek in a new teacher are if they fit the culture, is this person receptive to change because things are ever evolving, and is this someone who is respectful and kind. The question that I like most in an interview is "Tell me about yourself", usually if you ask that question, the rest of the interview will hopefully be more like a conversation. You can "stand out" in the interview process by talking about your experiences you have had or bringing up a scenario of how you would deal with something, is what I am looking for on the classroom related questions. You can also smile and have fun with it, you are being professional, but you need to show you can fit in with that culture. ]]> 2019-04-13 20:55:51 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351407405 lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351408487 As kids' social and emotional needs are changing and the more that schools are asked and required to take on that role of making sure those needs are being met, I'd like more support in that area. Whether that's more counselors or social workers, just so there are more resources that can help out or provide that extra comfort or support for people that may be seeking that. We've been taking on more and more of that, but that does not mean we have added those extra positions for that. ]]> 2019-04-13 21:15:26 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351408487 lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351408907 I'd play in the NBA if I could, but nobody needs me. Nobody needs a 5'9 guy who is not very fast. That's what I would do, so other than that, I'm good. ]]> 2019-04-13 21:23:56 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351408907 lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351409013 The teachers are awesome. If anyone said that this school is great, I'd be foolish to think that it was because of me. The teachers are the ones who are the driving force of everything we do, they're the ones who have to decide if this is what's best for kids. We have teachers that are excellent at communicating and building relationships. The kids are fantastic. ]]> 2019-04-13 21:26:14 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351409013 lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351409356 1. Build relationships with teachers and students
2. Have a positive attitude
3. Be flexible]]> 2019-04-13 21:32:58 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351409356 lauriepreble https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351409653 Letter ]]> 2019-04-13 21:38:34 UTC https://padlet.com/lauriepreble/l0w78ku19tpa/wish/351409653