All InspireNOLA staff gathered at McDonogh 35 on Thursday to kick off the 2021-22 school with beginning of the year professional development.
The event opened with InspireNOLA CEO Jamar McKneely and Chief Academics Officer Dr. Wylene Sorapuru addressing the staff.
“Student success is our number one goal,” McKneely said. “InspireNOLA is the highest performing open admissions school in the city of the New Orleans. Not only are we the highest in academics, but we are killing it in extra curriculars as well.”
“It’s important that we all understand why we are here, and that we all understand what we have to do this year,” McKneely said. “We need to inspire the power. There is power in people. There’s power to destroy, and there is also power to uplift. The collective of the way that we do things matters. The collective of how we show up each day matters. We have to understand there is power in this group: we can transform lives. I want 100 percent for our students. We’re going to give them the best outcome opportunities and experience our youth can have.”
Dr. Sorapuru urged teachers to be creative with incorporating joy in the classroom.
“I want us to remember the time when we were young and being in school and having fun. I urge you to go beyond the curriculum and beyond the standards. I urge you to go back to the heart of what makes classrooms and learning actually happen. It starts with joy and loving learning,” she said. “We’re guiding the light of children’s hearts and minds. I need our kids to enjoy school.”
McKneely also spoke about the recent increase in cases of the COVID-19 delta variant and what the organization was doing address staff and student health and wellness.
“Your safety matters,” he said, adding that InspireNOLA will present multiple opportunities for vaccinations for staff, students, and their families, including a vaccination event for InspireNOLA staff, students and families beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 31 at McDonogh 35.
Following the opening remarks, staff had the opportunity to participate in a number of different training sessions throughout the day to help prepare them for an excellent 2021-22 school year.
Training continues next week at each school as we prepare to welcome back students, beginning August 2.