Frank Nardelli is the principal at Dove Academy Charter School in Detroit Michigan. Dove is one of the forty-five No Excuses University schools across the country serving nearly 27,000 students in seven states. This week, Mr. Nardelli was named to the 2009 – 2010 class of Emerging Leaders by Phi Delta Kappa. Anyone who knows Frank, including myself, knows just how well deserved this honor is for a man who models exceptional leadership. One of only three principals in this year’s class, Frank displays a style of servant leadership that not only produces academic result for students, but more so supports a positive culture on campus for students, parents, and staff. Learn more about Frank and the Dove Academy by listening to this online podcast.
This year, Arne Duncan was appointed as the new U.S. Secretary of Education. His belief that our schools must behave differently in order to get different results is one that is exciting a lot of educators. Among the new ideas that Secretary Duncan has for public education, his tag-line seems to be that his department must become the “engine of innovation”. While some of his policies have come up against great resistance, Arne Duncan maintains a laser-like focus on what’s important for American schools. With 100 billion dollars in his pocket, he has been given an unprecedented opportunity to promote change in ways that his predecessors did not. Like so many of you, I am optimistic about the potential for change in our schools. I believe Arne Duncan may have what it takes to create that change. I came to this conclusion after watching a segment from the PBS program NOW titled A Radical Fix for Schools. I encourage you to click on the link below and come to your own conclusion.
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/518/index.html