Non-negotiables

Tolerance is my number one non-negotiable. Every member of my team will practice and teach tolerance. This creates a diverse culture and welcoming environment. Diversity creates a rich learning environment that our country has the opportunity to offer and I expect everyone to take advantage of that opportunity. The opposite of this breeds negativity that cannot be masked and is toxic to learning.
Equity is a non-negotiable. Equality is not enough. For example, I would like to ensure that students with IEPs are not excluded from opportunities to develop those same quality relationships with their non disabled peers and with their teachers. The need for these quality relationships has touched you as a parent whose child has ADHD and experienced exclusion from the classroom as means to address distracting behaviors.  While he does not suffer academically, his access to learning and relationships is impaired when asked to "step outside the classroom." There will be no blind eyes to equity among those of whom I lead.
Respect is absolutely a non-negotiable. Respect is a hard thing to measure, but with the good ole’ Golden Rule, there is a clear baseline that everyone can understand. As a community defining what respect looks like in every element  is crucial to healthy environment.  Agreed terms on communicating feelings of disrespect is equally important as enforcing respect.  To an extent in this area all of us have made a mistake, or maybe aren’t even aware they participated in what others found disrespectful. This non-negotiable could be rephrased as practicing respect across a community.   Actions and words need to be respectful of self, others and the environment.  Practicing and teaching mindfulness of being respectful could cover just about all non-negotiable points.