Page 35 - JOHN DIPAULA POY APPLICATION 2021

Continue to play an active role in the classroom.
In his three years as principal at Hammond High School, Dr. DiPaula has leveraged relationships with students and staff to fine-tune a culture of care and support. With Dr. DiPaula’s belief that teachers are responsible for teaching our children and all other staff are either responsible for supporting teachers or supporting students, he spends the majority his day in classrooms observing learning and in hallways developing student relationships. He sees relationships as the catalyst that allows us to keep moving forward, even when there are challenges.
Dr. DiPaula has utilized instructional rounds as a vehicle to be an instructional leader, to develop teacher leaders, and to keep his focus on teaching and learning. Last year, he did observations with assistant principals to ensure calibration. This year, he began instructional rounds with Instructional Team Leaders to develop common areas of focus and now is encouraging all staff to participate in these learning walks in order to cross- pollenate creative ideas and to develop robust discussions that will promote professional growth. Dr. DiPaula found that as trust increased between administration and staff, staff's willingness to take and implement feedback also increased.
He provides staff with a weekly newsletter inviting teachers to "Come Watch Great Instruction with Me." Dr. DiPaula completes instructional rounds with all staff members that are willing to participate, has healthy discussions about planning, engagement, instruction and assessment, and then follows up with feedback for the observed teachers.