APS Employees Serve as Role Models to Students

Superintendent Brooks reminds staff of the importance of cultural proficiency.

December 15, 2011

Dear APS Employee,

It was about this time a few years ago that we implemented cultural proficiency training for all our principals and administrators.  I believe the time and effort given to learning about the barriers cultural differences sometimes create and strategies to overcome them are extremely important and I’d like to tell you why.

As employees of Albuquerque Public Schools, we can never forget we are role models to the students we serve. From pre-K to graduation, we touch the lives of tens of thousands of students every day through our words and actions.

Of all the expectations of you as an employee—respect for others is at the top of the list.  Bullying, name-calling and other forms of harassment will not be tolerated by this administration.

If you feel you’ve been harassed, bullied or discriminated against report it to your supervisor. The challenges in public education are real, we don’t need to create more. Please, remember that as a public school employee people look at you as a representative of the district and hold you to a higher standard.

I’m proud of the fact APS was the first public school district in the state to  adopt an anti-bullying policy and develop a bullying website for the public. It’s always encouraging to learn about the diversity programs supported in our schools. In a city as culturally diverse as Albuquerque we get along well, but we can always strive to do better.

Enjoy your time off in the weeks ahead and thank you for all your hard work and good will.

Sincerely,
Winston Brooks