August 11, 2020

​Colleagues,
 
As we prepare to embark on what is going to prove to be a fickle fall 2020 semester, there are a few things I would like to share with you.  Let’s call them my Tuesday thoughts.  Most importantly, there is something that is utmost importance to me.  Respect.  We are an assemblage of colleagues with a common goal—creating a better education system through teacher education, research, scholarship, and service.  With that in mind I have a few thoughts.

• Give professional respect. This means that if you have a problem with a faculty member or student, you do not speak publicly about it.  No bashing colleagues where others can here.  If you have an issue, speak to me. 
• If you are having a problem with a faculty/student, come to me and let us see if we can solve the problem.  I will be there to help facilitate discussion and moderate/mediate if the situation warrants it.
• I realize in a department of this size and complexity, not everyone is going to get along.  However, we can treat each other as professionals.  If this is an issue, speak to me.
• Treat students with respect. There is no need for a public school teacher’s lounge feel.  We are going to have strong students.  We are going to have weaker students.  Our job is to help foster the skills and love for teaching.  As well all know, all students can learn, can grow, and can improve.
• Treat the administration with respect.  We all have different roles.  We all have different personalities.  We all have different job requirements.  We cannot please all people all the time.  But, we will do our best to make the UNK Teacher Education Department and the College of Education the best we can.  No, I take that back.  We will continue to make it great.
• I am here as a colleague.  My job is to trust you to do what you do as professionals and to provide every mechanism to make you successful. 
• However, there are times that I will have to make difficult decisions.  I do not look forward to these, but they are the reality.  When making decision, my goal is to always be fair.

I hope this give you some insight into me and what I believe.  I will tell you, my first task is to help us improve the vibe around here.  Like I said, we are colleagues with a common goal.  I am not looking for this to be a family (sometimes family can be problematic).  I am looking for us to respect each other, what we do, what we study, and what we contribute to education,
 
Drew