Excellence period.

In my office hangs a plaque that I was given as a gift from my wife and children in 2003. The plaque reads, "Excellence: If it's worth doing, then it is worth doing well."

Today's editorial http://www.denverpost.com/editorials/ci_12674381 reminded me of those words. If we are going to take on the awesome responsibility of educating our children, then we must all embrace excellence. I don't care what type of school you are; traditional, charter, contract, alternative, innovative, beacon, and all of the other labels we put on schools. The labels don't matter, the results do. Excellence is the expectation. If you are going to do it, then do it well.

Excellence requires assessment of attitudes: "If it's worth...."

There are many opinions about education; what's working and what's not working. There are many thoughts about which children can succeed and which ones can't; we hear the whispers. There's the chorus of "my model works better than your model." There are those who believe that things can't be turned around. Excellence requires that we assess our attitude. It requires us to ask if we really believe if it's worth it. If people don't believe it's worth it, and are just collecting a pay check, or positioning themselves for something else, we'll never get there. Our attitude has to be that it is worth it! The sacrifices are worth making. The extended hours are worth investing. The discussions are worth having. The partnerships are worth building. It is worth it because we believe that all of our schools can be excellent!

Excellence requires action from all stakeholders: "doing..."

We can't do anything as spectators except offer up rhetoric that often distracts from the pursuit of excellence. We have to be engaged; not in the same role or with the same responsibility but we do all have to be engaged. Engagement is rolling up your sleeves, sharing your time, talents, and resources in a purposeful way that moves us forward. Excellence is a principal, a teacher, a board member, a student refusing to cut corners and faithfully doing the work well all of the time. Excellence is a parent group who sees the needs in their school and partners with MOP to raise their capacity to meet those needs. Excellence is students organizing themselves into peer challenge groups because they believe that they are responsible for one another's success.
Excellence is not watching, it is doing.

Excellence requires accountability at all levels: "it's worth doing well"

In the editorial the Denver Post makes mention of the comments of Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, who challenged charters not to allow second and third rate charters to exist because they gave charters a black eye. How about we don't allow second and third rate schools to exist period? How about we hold high the standard of excellence for all schools?Excellence requires accountability at all levels. Parents must be held accountable. Students must be held accountable. Peer groups must be held accountable. Professionals who serve our schools must be held accountable. Partners of our schools must be held accountable. We all play a key role in the success of our schools.

We need everyone to know their responsibility, to execute their responsibility, and to welcome accountability for their responsibility for our shared success. We can't accept second rate and third rate effort! We must be accountable to give our best. The times in which we live require it. We hear a lot about reform, but let us always remember that as we reform, it is worth doing, and it is worth doing well! I am committed to that; we must be committed to that. Excellence period, no exceptions.

Running to Represent

I am running to represent the students, parents, educators, principals, and community partners of DPS district # 4. As a father of 4 children who are being educated in DPS it is important to me that we have strong representation on the DPS Board of Education. It is important that we have a voice that will be faithful in representing, courageous in leading, and consistent in action. In the times in which we live we need leadership that understands and takes seriously the responsibility of representation.

People who trust you to represent them expect that you take the responsibility seriously and hold it as sacred. I will do that. I will always remember that it is about our children, our future, and our shared responsibility to turn things around. I believe that for such a time as this I can represent us well and help to continue the systemic change that we need to make all of our schools great for all of our children.

People who trust you to represent them expect to always have a voice at the table because you are there. They expect that their concerns are heard because you have heard from them and are responsibly articulating those concerns on their behalf to others. I take this responsibility seriously and truly hold it as sacred. I will continue to visit schools weekly to stay informed and connected with the frontlines. I will hold monthly district # 4 community conversations on the first Friday of each month to ensure that all engaged members of our community are informed and have the opportunity to have their voices heard

People who trust you to represent them expect that as you lead and make decisions that you always have their best interest in mind. Constant dialogue and engagement will only help to strengthen district # 4. It will also ensure that my decisions as a board member are informed decisions that help to meet the needs of those I will represent. I will work closely with and challenge my colleagues, the Superintendent’s staff, the Principals Leadership Council, MOP, A+ Denver, Colorado Black Round Table, Padres Unidos, BEAC, and other partners who share my belief that we can achieve and we must achieve better for all students. I will challenge all of us to push beyond the rhetoric and to effectively work together toward our common goal; the success of every student within Denver Public Schools.

People who trust you to represent them want you to stand for them and lead. People don’t want someone who can’t handle the heat or the pressure of the position. The right decision is not always going to be the popular decision. Sometimes you have to stand against colleagues and staff and challenge them to do what is right, not simply what is popular or easy. Tough decisions will have to be made. Difficult conversations will have to be had, and people want a leader who will not buckle but will stand and lead. People want a leader who will collaborate yes, but never a leader who will compromise on principals or integrity. I will stand for district # 4. I will lead based on principals, and never compromise my integrity as I serve.

The reality that we are faced with is that failure is not an option, success is our only choice. We secure that success when we have the right representation; leaders that understand the task and are not afraid, but confident that together we can achieve better. I believe that with all of my heart. As I look into the eyes of my four children, as I consider their futures, and the futures of their peers, we must be successful. There is no time for us to waste on political posturing, or social grandstanding; the results that we see call us to action.

I am ready to represent and continue my service in DPS district # 4 and I believe that together, students, parents, educators, principals, community partners, and district staff we can create a choice environment where every choice for education is a great choice in DPS.

It starts with parents!

I've been asked, why are you running for DPS Board of Education by a number of people. Some have called it insanity to want to serve in a volunteer position dealing with such a critical matter as the educating of our children. I definitely don't think it is insane.

As a father of (4) children, all soon to be students within DPS, I see it as insane if I did not seek this opportunity; for them and the many students like them who trust their parents and other adults to make the best decisions for their futures. That's what this is about for me.

It is a dad saying to his children that I will be a good steward of the trust that you have placed in me. I will remember my responsibility to you; to raise you in love and prepare you for your future. I will remember that as your parents, your mother and I are your first teachers.

We are responsible for preparing you to be the best student that you can be. We are responsible to support you by being engaged in your learning. We are responsible to develop in you the character and moral fiber that will make you a great student, a great citizen, but more importantly a God-honoring person.

We are responsible to support you, to aid you when needed, cheer you and comfort you when you struggle, to yell "that's my baby" at every school event you are in! We are responsible to discipline you in love, to teach you that our standards for behavior don't just apply at home, but in school and wherever you go. It is our responsibility as parents to stand up for you when you are wronged, and to teach you to own your choices and consequences when you have wronged someone else.

It is our responsibility as parents to take time to laugh with you when it is funny. To cry with you when it is sad. To learn with you, because we really don't know it all, especially every day math! It is our responsibility to make sure that you are well rested, well fed, and constantly loved. To call your grandmother when neither of us understands the homework. We are your parents, and before anyone else, we are responsible for you.

We will not push you off on the school for the things that we are responsible for. We own up to the high call of parenting. You are a gift to us; a gift that is appreciated and will always be cherished. We know that for you to get the most from your education, we must meet our responsibilities as your parents. There is no getting around it. You need us to be your parents; to do what is right for your future.

I am running for the DPS Board of Education because I believe that my children and your children need parents who will take responsibility for them and hold sacred the trust that our children place in us for their futures! It begins with parents!

More to come.....

Pastor Vernon Jones Jr for Denver Public Schools

Pastor Vernon is a proud father of three current DPS students and one future DPS student. He is the son and nephew of DPS educators. He is a community partner of DPS through his service at Manual High School and on the board of Friend of Manual.

He is the Senior Pastor of the Kinship Church, a position he has served in since February 2003. He has worked within the community to bring about positive transformation and its privilege to share life with so many people. "I am grateful to God for every opportunity that He has given me to give back for His lory and the good of someone else," shared Pastor Vernon, "it isn't always easy, but what a great reward."

Pastor Vernon believes that healthy REFORM must happen, not simply in our public schools, but in our lives. "We are quick to point fingers when things are wrong, blame the schools, blame the government, or whomever the flavor of the day is," says Pastor Vernon, "the reality is that in most cases we all have contributed to the problem, and therefore must all take responsibility for the solution."

Specific to Denver Public Schools, Pastor Vernon sees healthy REFORM at the district level as having six key components:

R = Responsibility by all for our future

E = Elevating Expectations in all schools for all students

F = Forge genuine partnerships that will advance the mission and realize the vision of DPS for all students

O = Organizational health & growth; develop the bench

R = Recruitment/Retention of high quality teachers

M = Mission/Vision driven decision making