Goal Setting

In December of 2011, I began to do some soul searching.  I started to look at the way things are here at West Madison.  I listened the sounds and things I heard about West Madison.  One of the things I heard and continually here is "West Madison is the best kept secret in Madison City."  That statement sounds good, but is it truly a good statement about us.  I once heard my pastor say, if we continue to do the things we always do, we will have the things we always have.  We have to constantly be looking to the future.  A secret, is that what we want for West Madison?  I don't think so.  I don't want us to remain a secret.  I want everyone to know about West Madison.  If we don't promote ourselves, no one else will. 

We do some really good things at West Madison, but I have a desire for us to do great things. I once read, the enemy to great is good.  If you are good, you don't have to be any better.  That is an apathetic statement.  We are not out for good.  We want great.  We have great teachers.  We have great students and we have great parents and community leaders. 

In order to be great, I realized that we had to set goals and start working hard to reach those goals.  In January when we returned from Winter Break our teachers set out on a journey to look at our realities.  We looked at what our current realities were for students, teachers and administration.  After listing our realities, then we determined what we wanted for our students.  Our teachers came up with some excellent goals for West Madison students. 

The process we went through took several months.  At each meeting we had,  we dwindled our goals down to a manageable list.  We ended the year with goals for students and goals for teachers on two separate pages. 

On Wednesday, we set out to come up with a one page set of goals for teachers and students.  The teachers worked really hard to make the goals students, parent and teacher friendly.  We do not want goals that are just on a piece of paper.   We want goals that will make us great.  The  time has passed  for good, we want great.  At the end of the day, Wednesday, I was so proud of our teachers.  I was smiling like a proud parent.  I am so excited about the beginning of this school year.  I can't wait to see what is in store for us.  We are on an exciting journey towards greatness.  One of the themes that you will hear through out the year is that you matter.  I want our kids to know, they matter.  I want our teachers and staff to know, they matter.  I want you to know, you matter.  As we realize that we all matter in this process and work our plan, our goals, West Madison will not be a "well kept secret,"  West Madison, will not just be good.  WEST MADISON WILL BE GREAT!

Very soon, you will be able to view a copy of the goals we have set for ourselves and for our students.  I challenge you to partner with us as we move towards greatness.