1. Amber Lam Candidate Carroll County Public Schools Principal - Oakland Elementary 89 Braveheart Lane Galax, VA 24333 ablam@ccpsd.k12.va.us (276) 233-6776

2. About me…. Education: Master of Science Degree Radford University (May 2010) Educational Leadership Bachelor of Science Degree – magna cum laude Radford University 2006 preK-6 Elementary Education 2003 Honor Graduate Carroll County High School Hillsville, Virginia Related Experience: I have been employed four years by Carroll County Public Schools as a classroom teacher. I have been employed four years by Carroll County Public Schools as a classroom teacher. I am currently the lead kindergarten teacher and serve on my school’s leadership team. I am currently the lead kindergarten teacher and serve on my school’s leadership team. I was a trained substitute teacher for grades K-12 for the Carroll County Public School System for two years. I was a trained substitute teacher for grades K-12 for the Carroll County Public School System for two years. I was a volunteer with the Beans and Rice Organization at Pulaski Elementary during 2005. I was a volunteer with the Beans and Rice Organization at Pulaski Elementary during 2005. In high school I completed the Teacher Cadet training program and engaged in a forty-hour field experience program at Hillsville Elementary. In high school I completed the Teacher Cadet training program and engaged in a forty-hour field experience program at Hillsville Elementary.

3. About me… (continued) Related Information: I am a member of the National Association for Elementary School Principals I am a member of the National Association for Elementary School Principals I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi international honor organizations. I am a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi international honor organizations. I was on the Dean’s List at Radford University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. I was on the Dean’s List at Radford University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. I was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated with honors from Carroll County High School in 2003. I was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated with honors from Carroll County High School in 2003.

4. Oakland Elementary Where are we now? pK-5 School Part of a ten school division in a county nestled along the Blue Ridge Mtns. Carroll Co. has approximately 28,000 citizens. Approx. 230 students – increasing yearly Population comprised of a rural, agricultural, middle to low income community Steady increase in ESL students Nearly 20% increase in instructional faculty holding master’s degrees compared to 2005-2006 school year

5. Where do we go from here? Continue to educate students with current philosophy- children come first. Continue to educate students with current philosophy- children come first. Plan for prospective student population (mindful of current economic situation and effects on the budget) Plan for prospective student population (mindful of current economic situation and effects on the budget) Maintain relationships and create new partnerships with external community members Maintain relationships and create new partnerships with external community members Recruit the most highly qualified teachers who will serve as keepers of the culture our school establishes. Recruit the most highly qualified teachers who will serve as keepers of the culture our school establishes. Meet the needs of our faculty by providing relevant professional development Meet the needs of our faculty by providing relevant professional development

6. But how? Utilize the most efficient instructional strategies to meet the needs of each learner Utilize the most efficient instructional strategies to meet the needs of each learner Collaborate to create/modify an approach to student behavior in which our school will experience success Collaborate to create/modify an approach to student behavior in which our school will experience success Explore creative scheduling to maximize instructional time Explore creative scheduling to maximize instructional time Foster working relationships with families – family night, homework help to parents, etc. Foster working relationships with families – family night, homework help to parents, etc. EDUCATE EACH CHILD…. Our curriculum should not serve as our sole basis of instruction. It should, instead, guide instruction. EDUCATE EACH CHILD…. Our curriculum should not serve as our sole basis of instruction. It should, instead, guide instruction.

7. My Philosophy of Education (notably condensed) We, as educators, exist in a results oriented, data-driven profession. HOWEVER, our profession remains a people centered business. To forget that people, namely children, come first is to fail as educators and deprive society of the most flourishing civilians we can possibly provide.

8. My Personal Vision Each child in our school will be successful Each child in our school will be successful Success is not a universal term – each learner experiences it individually- our school will embrace uniqueness Success is not a universal term – each learner experiences it individually- our school will embrace uniqueness We will not do this alone; we must involve and rally support from parents, students, neighboring schools, central office staff and school board members businesses, and community members to foster relationships conducive to learning. We will not do this alone; we must involve and rally support from parents, students, neighboring schools, central office staff and school board members businesses, and community members to foster relationships conducive to learning. We will tailor our instructional program to meet the needs of each learner by utilizing effective research-based strategies and various models of teaching that solicit self reflection and Bloom’s higher order thinking skills. We will tailor our instructional program to meet the needs of each learner by utilizing effective research-based strategies and various models of teaching that solicit self reflection and Bloom’s higher order thinking skills.

9. My Personal Vision (continued) Together we must establish a climate of trust and acceptance, where differences are valued and students feel welcome and part of something greater than one. Together we must establish a climate of trust and acceptance, where differences are valued and students feel welcome and part of something greater than one. Faculty and staff will embrace an environment of collegiality and collaboration by engaging in meaningful professional development and activities centered around student learning. Faculty and staff will embrace an environment of collegiality and collaboration by engaging in meaningful professional development and activities centered around student learning.

10. Why me? I’m a natural leader and believe in the power of one. I will help inspire others to make the difference in the life of a child. I’m a natural leader and believe in the power of one. I will help inspire others to make the difference in the life of a child. It only takes one It only takes one

11. “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” ~ Ralph Nader