Building a culture of excellence
February 13, 2012: Recognizing improvement is one way to reward good work and encourage a culture of excellence that benefits all students.
Principal Joe Galati has captured the power of recognition with his Knighting of the Ties at North Portland’s Chief Joseph Elementary School. The idea came from Dooley Riordan, a first-grader who has worn neckties since preschool. What if, Galati asked himself, he gave a tie to each student who has shown growth or who consistently strives for excellence?
Joe has knighted 125 students, who proudly wear their ties at school. Joe sees the payoff in students’ sense of connection and commitment to their school and schoolwork, and wants to "knight" all 481 of his kids.
As a school district, we must strive for continuous improvement so that all of our students can reach their potential. I appreciate efforts like Joe’s and so many of our principals to build an environment that empowers all students.
Carole
