-
It is with great excitement that I introduce myself to you as your next Superintendent of Schools. Although I was hired by the school board in September, my first day in Lower Dauphin was Monday, October 30. Since my hiring date, I have been using vacation days to spend time in LDSD to begin to orientate myself with the board and other key people within the district office.
Although I am confident that my professional experience and leadership style will bring a fresh perspective to the daily operation and instructional offerings of the Lower Dauphin School District, I also know that I have a lot to learn about the school district community. Therefore, my initial objective is to familiarize myself with the school district community and to see the district through the eyes of the varied stakeholders.
In order to gain a broader and deeper understanding of the Lower Dauphin School District community, my entry plan is focused on meeting with various stakeholder groups to provide them with the opportunity to share their thoughts, hopes, and vision for the district and community through their unique lens. An additional benefit of the stakeholder meetings is to begin to foster the development of trusting relationships with board members, administrators, teachers, support staff, students, families, and community leaders, and to use the feedback that is provided to formulate a plan of how to optimize the talent and resources of our school community in order to provide our students with an exceptional learning experience in the years to come.
As my interview process played out, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of people, including board members, administrators, former administrators, support staff, parents, students, and community members. One common thread is woven through the fabric of everyone I have met – a strong sense of community and Falcon pride!
I have spent my entire career in the Hollidaysburg Area School District as an elementary teacher, basketball coach, elementary and cyber-academy principal, athletic director, and, for the past ten years, superintendent. During that time in Hollidaysburg, I developed several personal leadership beliefs that will guide our journey in Lower Dauphin.
First and foremost, there are nonnegotiable goals for achievement and instruction which must be established through collaborative goal-setting to meet the needs of each unique learner. It is also my belief that fiscal efficiency is best achieved through progressive, divergent thinking and collaboration and that communication among all stakeholders is vital to the success of any organization.
There are so many great things happening in the Lower Dauphin School District. I am looking forward to meeting you all and working together to continue to advance Lower Dauphin School District down the path of excellence.
Sincerely,
Robert J. Gildea, D.Ed.
Superintendent of Schools
