Nicola Zulu
MYP Coordinator

In my role as an educator and leader, my mission is to create an environment where students experience meaningful personal growth every day. I endeavor to create learning opportunities for individual students, being aware of catering for differentiation, and hence ensuring learning is accessible for everyone. I want teachers to accept the daily challenge to be the best that they can be, and support the academic achievement of every student so that they can develop skills, knowledge and attitudes to become principled and caring individuals, who are equipped to contribute positively and accept responsibilities in the 21st century.

 

As a leader I believe a positive school climate is essential to its success. The atmosphere of a school should be caring, trusting and respectful for both student and teacher to learn in. Students emotional health and well being should be a focus for all educators and my actions to hear the voice of the community, and strive to support all members to best meet their academic, developmental and emotional needs are integral in any school structure. It is essential to continue to be innovative to ensure students are prepared and have the skills needed to adapt and succeed in an ever changing world, where jobs that don’t exist today will be present when they enter the workforce.

 

Being able to facilitate the discovery of solutions through open and respectful collaboration with stakeholders is an innovative approach to leadership in schools. I expect to respond rather than react in challenging situations. That is why it is important as a leader to have an attitude and enthusiasm of ‘can do’.  Active listening is a key attribute to being an effective leader, and the appreciation of others perspectives through dialogue that involves teachers in the decision process. With this positive approach, teachers are likely to accept changes, solutions and advice as they come to trust and respect me. 

 

Through my actions as supervisor and evaluator, when I enter classrooms I want to empower and support teachers to be effective practitioners. An inclusive and balanced environment that supports students through differentiation of learning experiences ensures all students have an opportunity to access the curriculum and be successful. As an innovator I readily support student learning and teacher collaboration through effective time management and implementation of efficient allocation and use of time in the school day. 

 

Students gain critical thinking skills along with knowledge, and be inspired to learn. In a school, student’s performance must be evaluated and achievement analyzed quickly.  This will provide teachers with opportunities to improve instruction, supported through collaborative planning. A leader is responsible to make the right decisions to implement strategies and resources to support student learning. I take action and make tough decisions and make choices based upon what is best for my students.