Dr. John D'Auria, Superintendent of Schools

I am honored and excited to be entering my third year as superintendent of the Canton Public Schools.  This is my 39^th year as an educator, a career that began with teaching mathematics in East Boston.   After almost a decade in the classroom, I became intrigued by the impact of emotions on learning, and this led to graduate work in psychology and to a position as a guidance counselor in Carlisle, Massachusetts.   My career journey next led me to an interest in leadership and its ability to affect the culture of a school community. I have been a principal in two different districts, Westford and Wellesley, as well as an instructor of aspiring leaders, and a consultant to educators across the Commonwealth.  Along the way, I earned my doctorate at UMass where my research helped me to understand how adults can influence a child’s view of what it means to be “smart.”    How children view their intelligence, in turn, can shape their effort and perseverance - two vital factors that strengthen achievement.

Nearly forty years of teaching has shown me that educating young people requires the cooperation and support of an entire community. Our children are now part of a global network that demands a solid grounding in the traditional three R’s as well as a new set of skills that will insure their success in a world that is characterized by fast-paced change, cutting-edge technology, and daunting amounts of data.  What served us well as students, just a few decades ago, is now simply a starting point in today’s schooling.  Ultimately, what will provide young people with the capacity to navigate a 21^st century terrain is the ability to be curious and reflective about the world around them and to have the determination, self-discipline, and empathy to act responsibly.  Creating well-educated students now means helping young people learn to make good judgments for themselves, for their community, for their nation, and even, for our planet.  In order to provide our children with the best chance of obtaining this kind of education, the staff in the Canton Public Schools will need your support and assistance.

I have been working closely with our principals, central office administrators, and the School Committee to insure that our vision for our district becomes embedded in our day-to-day work. The vision for the Canton Public Schools now aims our collective efforts towards developing students who are competent and creative thinkers, curious and confident learners, and compassionate citizens.  Our ability to achieve this lofty set of goals is directly related not only to our knowledge and skills, but also to the strength of our relationships with the students, teachers, parents and citizens of Canton. I look forward to continuing this vital work with you.

Sincerely,

John D’Auria, Ed.D.
dauriaj@cantonma.org