Page 24 - JOHN DIPAULA POY APPLICATION 2021

HAMMOND HIGH SCHOOL
8800 Guilford Road = Columbia, MD 21046 = 410-313-7615 = (F) 410-313-7632 = hahs.hcpss.org
Dr. John DiPaula has many qualities that set him apart from ordinary leaders. He constantly
keeps the Howard County Public School System vision present in his mind as he leads Hammond High School. Dr. DiPaula strives to create positive relationships through equity, rigor, but most importantly, genuine care and commitment to all stakeholders. His ability to face challenges through cooperation and creating a positive environment where all students have the opportunity to thrive in the classroom as well as virtually exemplify his leadership. He meets everyday challenges with positivity, innovation and creative problem solving. Dr. DiPaula always finds the solution that best meets the needs of all our students. He is an excellent role model of flexibility and leads by example to motivate his entire team to empower our students on an every-day basis. His ability to effectively manage while also going above and beyond for students, staff, families and our community, especially during this difficult school year, have made him an obvious candidate for Principal of the Year.
Dr. DiPaula’s interpersonal skills along with his ability to build leaders within the building have helped in creating strong and cooperative instructional teams, curriculum teams and a positive environment for staff. He has placed a priority on getting to know staff, and to giving staff an opportunity to get to know each other. Staff meetings, in person and virtually, have been focused on team building and collaboration to better serve our students. He regularly meets with teams, committees, and individuals to help unite a staff that shares a common vision, a vision that reflects the high expectations we place on ourselves as a learning community. He also recognizes the importance of getting to know us as people and has provided us opportunity to get to know him as well. Dr. DiPaula has helped make me the leader and educator I am today. He has provided me with countless opportunities to grow throughout my leadership journey and has been there for me every step of the way. I can truly say that in life there are certain people who you meet along the way who have a huge impact on you both professionally and personally, for me and many others in our building, John DiPaula is one of those people.
Instructional Leadership is one of Dr. DiPaula’s greatest strengths. It is his goal that each and every student in our school receives the best possible instruction even virtually. His effective management skills play a big role in attaining high levels of student achievement. He cultivates an environment where educators are able to do what they do best, teach, and for students to be able to learn at their utmost potential. He manages the teachers and staff in the building so that all stakeholders are maximally committed to student achievement. Dr. DiPaula effectively manages without micromanaging. He empowers his leadership teams, teachers, and staff to explore all possibilities. He asks coach-like questions of his teachers and staff that get results without dictating the answers. He values the input of his staff and trusts the decisions made by his leadership team. His participation on committees is that of a contributor, as he empowers committee chairs to take the leadership role. Dr. DiPaula’s
willingness to share in the decision-making process has resulted in the opportunity for many to take on leadership roles at Hammond, trickling down through team leaders, committee chairs, and staff members.
Visibility has played a huge role in Dr. DiPaula’s success as a principal. He attends just about every event that students are involved in. He celebrates students at almost every ceremony, induction, play, game, and community gathering that Hammond has. He is invested in getting to know our students and he is held in high regard with the Hammond High School student population because of his dedication to them as a leader. His student-centered practices have allowed him to build life
long relationships and connections in order to help students reach their goals and aim even higher. At any time during the day, -- you can find him in the hallways talking with kids and getting to know who they are and what they value. His compassion for student and teacher learning during a pandemic has been remarkable! Our students recognize how much he cares for them and how dedicated he is to helping kids become not only college and career ready, but ready for the world ahead of them.
Dr. John DiPaula is an outstanding leader who effectively manages school personnel, data and processes to foster school improvement while seeing the big picture and maintaining a pulse on the entire building and online. He truly makes Hammond a special place for all who walk through the doors, a place where all people are important. We have faced many challenges this year and through it all he put his students, staff and community first. Dr. DiPaula is most deserving of this year’s Principal of the Year Award.
Sincerely,
Matthew R. Sillers
Matthew R. Sillers
US History Teacher
Hammond High School
Phone: 443-832-7955
Email: Matthew_Sillers@hcpss.org