Letter from the Principal

My name is Stephenie Aubert and I have recently been renamed principal of Our Lady of Grace School in Reserve.  I previously served as principal approximately four years ago.  At that time, amidst a dwindling enrollment, we managed to double our enrollment, open the school cafeteria for the first time in many years,  begin a three-year-old program, implement  two state-funded preschool four-year-old classrooms, initiate  a new reading program called “Breakthrough to Literacy”, and incorporate many new  laptop computers into our science program.

In August of 2000, I retired from St. John the Baptist parish School System while serving as Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  Since then I have worked for the Wright/McGraw Hill Publishing Company as a Literacy Coach, served as principal of Our Lady of Grace School, and supervised the Head Start Program for Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government.  I have also spent much of my free time researching information and acquiring training involving strategies and techniques to help teachers and families deal with children exhibiting inappropriate behaviors.

During my initial tenure as principal, I learned that I must be different things to different people. 

·         To a first grader, I am the person who visits the classroom and asks about homework.

·         To the teachers, I am the one who checks lesson plans, observes their classrooms, and holds meetings.

·         To the school secretary, I am the endless source of written materials, including reports, public relations and letters.

·         To the custodial staff I may appear as a white-gloved army sergeant on inspection detail.

·         To students who I have disciplined, I might appear to be a heartless ogre.

·         To the family of a child I have helped and given a school award, I may appear to be a wonderful and warm humanitarian.

In addition to all of these perceptions of me, I know that I am one who is fiercely interested in helping our faculty be the best teachers they can be, so each and every one of their students gets the quality education that they deserve.  We must keep in mind, that although teachers are key to the growth and development of our students, it is only through our cooperative efforts and teamwork that we will  be able to do our very best  in achieving our school’s mission.

As the new principal, my primary focus will be to develop a strong team of people throughout the community working together and committed to maintaining an effective school environment while promoting spirituality and academic excellence.  I believe that all children can learn when placed in a nurturing environment and classroom culture that is conducive to learning.  We must be aware that children have varying learning styles and that it is our responsibility to identify what these are so that we can meet the children’s individual needs.

I, the school administrator, am key to providing the resources and leadership support necessary for the teachers and students to be successful.  If children are to achieve, teachers must be properly prepared.  It is my responsibility to see to it that this goal is accomplished through comprehensive job embedded staff development designed to promote effective teaching practices.

The teachers, students, and families of Our Lady of Grace are very important to me.  I will enjoy giving them the necessary resources, leadership, and support they need and step back and watch them soar.  If obstacles are met along the way, we will problem-solve together, assess and evaluate, and make adjustments.  In order to reach our mission of spiritual and academic excellence, we need the entire community’s support.  We encourage and embrace anyone wishing to help within their capacity and solicit their participation.  Come visit our school, and join with us on our exciting journey.

Yours in Christ,