Feel the Heat!

Acknowledgements

            Can you feel the heat of the flame igniting inside? Think about the people that made a positive difference in your life. Now focus on your opportunity to create a bright future for the people around you. “Let’s Get Fired Up!”

Many people made a positive difference in my life. My passageway to teaching was born through opportunities bestowed upon me by many. My journey into education emerged because I truly wanted to create an optimistic future. My philosophy of life and education was modeled after those people that inspired me to always work to my full potential by stimulating my passion.

When I became a school administrator at my wife’s encouragement, I knew I could provide better opportunities for teachers that I didn’t have when I was in the classroom. In turn, teachers would inspire new generations. As a parent, I strive to develop opportunities for my children that I didn’t know growing up. These prospects are created through leadership. Not just leadership for me but leadership opportunities for everyone.

Many factors have contributed to the success of our school leadership including contemporary literature, action research, and common sense. It would be difficult for me to mention leadership and our positive school culture without mentioning Jostens Renaissance. Renaissance is a national climate and culture process that should be individualized according to a school’s goals and objectives. These principles can and should be used in any organization. Founded by Jostens and educators in 1988, Renaissance inspires the acceptance and excitement for academics, character, and leadership that's traditionally reserved for athletics. There is more information about Renaissance throughout this book including the reference section. 

            My colleagues at Belhaven Middle School stimulate my passion for educational excellence while the students provide the need for our commitment. I am humbled, fortunate, and excited about the tens of thousands of people I met from around the world that continue to drive our future because of our accomplishments at this school.

I gratefully acknowledge the men and women, boys and girls of Belhaven who work in the trenches every day to make our world better. Their stories of leadership and triumph fill these pages. Without them, our organization would just be a school; our school would just be a building.

In addition to our consistently high, standardized test scores, our school has been recognized with numerous accolades including the Dr. Katherine Goerss Leadership Award, NJSBA School Leader Award, The Dodge Foundation Principal’s Leadership Grant, the Intel School of Distinction New Jersey and National Forum “Schools to Watch.” Our teachers and administrators have also garnered recognition as National Board Certified Teachers, Best Practice Awards, Media Wow Awards, Best Idea Awards, and Hall of Fame induction. Most of our teachers have accomplished advanced degrees. Our school has been an international site destination from educators as well as people from every profession. As our culture evolved, we became staples as presenters at local, state, and national conferences. Finally, our students have been among the top academic and character award winners at the local, state, and national level.

            The most important contribution I receive is from my family. They allow me to see situations the way they see them. My wife, Dr. Kimberly Franchetti Rudnesky, and our daughters, Franki Maria and Danica Lyn are my driving force 24/7. Equally as significant, we share our success and failure while we have fun.

I acknowledge the people that continue to dedicate their lives to our future through education. We need to turn this thing around. We need to give the same attention to our schools as we do to every other aspect of our world.  So Let’s Get Fired Up!