12/07/04

The Annual Assistant Principals' Conference was held November 14-19, 2004. The theme for this year's conference, Instructional Leadership for Mathematical and Scientific Inquiry , reflects our on-going commitment to enhance classroom practice in mathematics and science instruction, and is aligned to the DoDEA curriculum development cycle. The assistant principals and assistant superintendents in attendance participated in five rigorous days of interactive sessions designed to help promote their conceptual understanding of inquiry-based instruction in mathematics and science.

We were very fortunate to have Dr. Joe Tafoya, Director, DoDEA , join us for the first day of the conference. In his keynote speech Dr. Tafoya addressed the assistant principals from the heart, sharing some of his experiences as a school administrator with them, and bringing us up to date on transformation issues in the system. He told conference participants that he was very proud of the academic performance and other accomplishments of the students in the Department of Defense schools throughout the world and urged us to continue the good work at all levels.

Dr. Elizabeth Middlemiss, DoDEA Associate Director for Education/Principal Deputy Director, also addressed the conference and shared her leadership direction and goals with the attendees. Dr. Middlemiss articulated her high expectations for our schools and addressed the assistant principals concerning the various DoDEA education initiatives that are underway in support of the Community Strategic Plan.

This conference is a key component of the Pacific's Leading Learning Professional Development Program for school leaders. Throughout the week, sessions presented by Pacific Education Division personnel and DoDEA staff focused on the knowledge and skills required to facilitate learning in the standards-based school with an emphasis on mathematics and science. The participants tackled critical issues such as how to promote equity and high achievement for all students in math and science; how to help teachers develop classroom assessment practices to guide instructional decisions; and how to infuse algebraic thinking through all grade levels. Additionally, the participants investigated how to best support instruction and help teachers make learning more meaningful and relevant to students.

We are in the fourth year of our professional development cycle dedicated to making good schools better. I am committed to standards-based reform and acknowledge that continual school improvement requires a significant investment in quality professional development for both teachers and administrators. Changes in practice must be predicated on the best research and be reflective of high expectations. I expect our principals and assistant principals to continue to provide the site-based leadership that is fundamental to the DoDEA vision of success for all students.

Nancy C. Bresell
Director, DoDDS-Pacific/DDESS-Guam