Secondary staff starts year in ‘relentless pursuit’
By Donnie A. Lucas
Albany teachers and staff started back to work this week in anticipation of students arriving on Aug. 18, and with the new year comes a new slogan that embodies the theme for the year.
Local school personnel will focus on “The Relentless Pursuit,” a motto that principal Glen Hill selected to promote a way of thinking for teachers, staff and students.
“This year’s slogan comes from Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger, who defined his time at Disney as “the relentless pursuit of perfection,” Hill said. “I selected this motto to promote a certain mind set – not one about perfectionism at all costs, but about creating an environment in which people refuse to accept mediocrity.”
Hill added that it is about pushing back against the urge to settle for less or “good is good enough.”
The theme was rolled out to secondary teachers and staff on Tuesday during the first day of in-service. The principal passed out t-shirts displaying the motto.
“We spent the morning doing team building activities,” he said. “We asked everyone to reflect back on why they got into education. We don’t want to rest on our laurels.”
Hill noted that Albany schools are already considered excellent in a number of areas, but that he, the staff, and students need to build on previous successes and keep moving forward.
“The goal is for us to help each other, but especially to push our students not to settle for less than they are capable of,” Hill said. “Although perfection can not be attained, we want to cultivate the mentality of being better today than we were yesterday. We all need to work towards the goal of growing.”
Hill said that he will explain the motto and the theme to students during an opening assembly next Wednesday, Aug. 18.
Students will also have the opportunity to purchase t-shirts after classes begin.
“We are excited about the upcoming school year,” he said. “We remind students and parents that an open house to meet teachers will be held Monday, Aug. 16 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., followed by a band performance at the stadium at 8:00 p.m.
