Page 6 - JOHN DIPAULA POY APPLICATION 2021

Dr. DiPaula possesses a true gift for increasing leadership capacity and helping individuals to reach their full potential. This includes both students and staff. He's mentored teachers and administrators that have gone onto other assignments, or have been promoted to larger roles within the system, allowing him to make an impact outside the walls of Hammond. He eloquently and enthusiastically speaks at faculty meetings, PTSA and Boosters meetings, and at student events praising the hard work of his staff and student body. He is able to get desired results through his presence, approach, and capacity to genuinely engage and connect with his audience.
The opening of each school year, Dr. DiPaula values the staff’s time and limits formal meetings to what is essential through the concept of meeting by memo. New staff are treated to personalized attention while the veterans can prepare their rooms, co-plan, and get organized.
In addressing virtual instruction, Dr. DiPaula was cognizant and compassionate towards the extensive stress, time, and effort this delivery of instruction placed on his staff and student population. He went to great lengths to support and encourage teachers to extend grace to the students, and more importantly, themselves. Dr. DiPaula took time to evaluate what was most important and realistic to accomplish and not “build the plane as we fly it.” He created plans that allowed all teachers, staff, students and parents to meet the goals and persevere in a chaotic and historical time.
Dr. DiPaula meets regularly with the executive boards of SGA and our class councils to collaborate and to ensure that they are using their influence to address the needs of our community. Recently, Dr. DiPaula and the SGA held town hall meetings for each of the grades to hear feedback about virtual instruction and allow the student body to ask questions. Dr. DiPaula has always believed that student voice is critical to ensure an effective culture and climate for learning. He has used his influence to encourage student groups to continue to run food drives to support our local food banks, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters.
Further, Dr. DiPaula is currently collaborating with the senior class executive board to create a post-secondary Reveal Night to celebrate the many options and bright futures of Hammond students as well as ongoing mentoring opportunities between the senior and freshman class. His Hammond 100 initiative will focus on 100% of seniors graduating with access to their post-secondary plans.