|
 Dr.
John D'Auria,
Superintendent of Schools
|
I
am honored and excited to be entering my second year as Superintendent
of the Canton Public Schools. This is my 38th year as an educator,
a career that began with teaching mathematics in East Boston.
After almost a decade in the classroom, I became intrigued
by the impact of emotions on learning, and this led to graduate
work in psychology and to a position as a guidance counselor |
in
Carlisle, Massachusetts. My career journey next led me to an
interest in leadership and its ability to affect
the culture of a school community. I have been a principal in two
different districts, Westford and Wellesley, as well as an instructor
of aspiring leaders, and a consultant to educators across the Commonwealth.
Along the way, I earned my doctorate at UMass where my research
helped me to understand how adults can influence a child’s view
of what it means to be “smart.” How children view their intelligence,
in turn, can shape their effort and perseverance - two vital factors
that strengthen achievement.
Nearly
forty years of teaching has shown me that educating young people
requires the cooperation and support of an entire community.
Our children are now part of a global network that demands
a solid grounding in the traditional three R’s as well as a
new set of skills that will insure their success in a world
that is characterized by fast-paced change, cutting-edge technology,
and daunting amounts of data. What served us well as students,
just a few decades ago, is now simply a starting point in today’s
schooling. Ultimately, what will provide young people with
the capacity to navigate a 21st century terrain is the ability
to be curious and reflective about the world around them and
to have the determination, self-discipline, and empathy to
act responsibly. Creating well-educated students now means
helping young people learn to make good judgments for themselves,
for their community, for their nation, and even, for our planet.
Our
ability to achieve this kind of education for our students
is directly related not only to our curricular knowledge and
pedagogical skills, but also to the strength of our relationships
with the parents and citizens of Canton. With excitement and
enthusiasm, I look forward to engaging in this vital work with
you.
Sincerely,
John D’Auria, Ed.D.
dauriaj@cantonma.org
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