October 2024
In a rapidly evolving world, innovation is no longer an optional skill; it’s a necessity. In Hobbs Municipal Schools, we define innovation as a commitment to adapt and grow in the best interest of all learners. With that definition, we identify a set of practices that demonstrate innovation. Those are to collaborate with an openness for new ideas and strategies within and outside the district, utilize a learner-centered approach, challenge the status quo, offer guidance and support with change, and show a willingness to try new things, abandon what is not working, give things a chance, fail forward, reflect, review, and refine. At its core, innovation here means not just trying new things but doing so thoughtfully and collaboratively to ensure every student thrives.
At Hobbs Municipal Schools, we believe that challenging the status quo is essential to preparing our students for future success. To break traditional molds, we strive to provide classrooms that emphasize hands-on learning, critical thinking, and real-world applications, allowing students to explore and discover in ways that ignite curiosity and personal growth. With this approach, our teachers are more than educators—they are mentors who encourage students to engage deeply, question freely, and learn collaboratively.
Supporting a culture of innovation requires openness not only from our teachers but from the entire school community. Hobbs Municipal Schools values collaboration that reaches beyond the classroom, involving staff, parents, and local professionals. Working alongside business partners, community leaders, and educational organizations, we bring fresh insights and resources into the district, bridging school learning with local industry and opening doors to mentorship, internships, and career exposure for our students. This level of engagement reinforces that innovation is not confined to classrooms but a shared vision for our community.
However, innovation also calls for courage in the face of setbacks. We teach both students and staff that setbacks are not failures but lessons in resilience and adaptability. Our “fail forward” mentality allows students to take risks in a safe environment, where they can learn from mistakes and apply those lessons to refine and improve. Reflecting on what works and what doesn’t give educators and students alike a valuable opportunity to evolve thoughtfully.
The result is a learner-centered approach that prioritizes the needs and potential of all involved. This means adapting materials, exploring new methods, and continually updating technology to support a personalized, inclusive education. Hobbs Municipal Schools embraces innovation as an ongoing process, one that requires reviewing, refining, and reimagining strategies to meet our learners’ needs best.
Ultimately, our commitment to innovation is about creating a thriving learning environment. By building a district culture that values adaptation, creativity, and resilience, we prepare our students to excel in a world that demands flexibility and critical thinking. In Hobbs Schools, innovation is more than a core value—it’s a practice that empowers all learners, both our educators and students to grow, achieve, and lead.
I challenge each of us to consider the plateful of circumstances we all manage and be willing to adapt to our circumstances in the best interest of growth and success. I hope that you join Hobbs Schools in our efforts to remain innovative.
Gene Strickland
Superintendent
Hobbs Municipal Schools