Today I had the great privilege to attend the Veterans Memorial Program sponsored by Memory Gardens and Pam Hovey. "Unity with Pam" is a local television program and Pam put together a great ceremony. I was so impressed that an original Tuskegee Airman, a real Buffalo soldier, and a member of the Flying Tigers were all represented. What history right there under a tent in a cemetery in Columbus, Georgia!! I could have listened to their stories all day!
Carver High School JROTC was well represented and one of their students was recognized. When you see the JROTC students present the colors or participate in a program it is always well done. What a great leadership and citizenship program! Our students are so fortunate to have so many choices of great programs in which to participate!
I walked over to the cemetery with a group of third and fifth graders from St. Mary's Elementary School. I visited the school prior to the Veterans program. I enjoyed the students so much! They were happy and busy as they worked. When I meet a new group of students I always think, "I could be teaching school every day! What was I thinking when I left the classroom?" I was a good teacher, but the teachers I see in classrooms today are GREAT teachers. I am not sure that I could reach the quality of much of the instruction I observe. There is magic in watching an excellent teacher practice his/her craft. Visit a school and see for yourself!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
What a great time of year!
It is a great time of year to be Superintendent! I have been so blessed to get to attend the elegant and beautiful Teacher of the Year Banquet sponsored by Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation. Thank you, MEEF, and to all of the sponsors who made that evening so special for all of the Teachers of the Year. A special congratulation goes to Mrs. Christine Powell, teacher at Northside High School, for being selected as the Muscogee County Teacher of the Year. She will represent public education in this district so well! The top ten teachers of the year are a group that I can't wait to engage in conversation. I plan to invite them in as an advisory group next school year. I am sure they will tell me the truth, give me some advice, and lead the way in making us a stronger district.
I also had a wonderful visit to Waddell Elementary for their multicultural all-day event. The grade levels had selected a country to research and the halls were covered in student work. Many students were dressed in native costumes. The young men and women from around the world who are being trained at Fort Benning were also there and added an authentic touch to the day. It was a great culminating activity showing the excitement that a school-wide theme can generate.
The Kiwanis Club presented their T. Hiram Stanley Scholarships this week. To hear about the strengths and ambitions that a group of terrific, high-achieving, well-rounded eighth graders have was so encouraging. The Kiwanis Club recognizes an eighth grader at each middle school who receives a scholarship in the form of a savings bond. They select the top three who receive additional amounts. What great dream planters they are! It was a very nice program to which the students could invite their principal and members of their family. Thank you, Kiwanis!
Then, the Page One Awards sponsored by the Ledger Enquirer and CB & T were held last night. There is no other gathering in the region where the very brightest students from each academic area are recognized in one program. The students are artists, athletes, musicians, actors, mathematicians, scientists, linguists, and all-around great kids! The competition is tough and the students prepare for this evening for many months. I was proud that the winners represented many schools in the region, both public and private. That tells me that there is good work going on in many places and that students are the winners! Congratulations to all of the winners, runners-up, and nominees.
It is at this time of year when two things happen. As Superintendent, I am invited to many awards programs, luncheons, scholarship programs, and other events where our students who have achieved great honors are recognized. I come away from each event so proud to be part of public education and know that this institution is partnering with families and community organizations to develop great citizens who will continue to promote our great democracy (or republic if you want to get technical).
It is also this time of year that test scores began coming in. Although our scores continue to trend upward in many, many subjects and grades, I mourn over those students we didn't reach, we didn't help to succeed at high levels, and I will have many sleepness nights trying to figure out what else we can do for them. It is a bittersweet time in the life of an educator.
One of the best parts of being an educator, though, is that next school term we get another chance - to do it better, to work harder, to reach more students, to refine our craft. To be an educator is a great profession; to be able to serve this community is a great honor! I am blessed.
I also had a wonderful visit to Waddell Elementary for their multicultural all-day event. The grade levels had selected a country to research and the halls were covered in student work. Many students were dressed in native costumes. The young men and women from around the world who are being trained at Fort Benning were also there and added an authentic touch to the day. It was a great culminating activity showing the excitement that a school-wide theme can generate.
The Kiwanis Club presented their T. Hiram Stanley Scholarships this week. To hear about the strengths and ambitions that a group of terrific, high-achieving, well-rounded eighth graders have was so encouraging. The Kiwanis Club recognizes an eighth grader at each middle school who receives a scholarship in the form of a savings bond. They select the top three who receive additional amounts. What great dream planters they are! It was a very nice program to which the students could invite their principal and members of their family. Thank you, Kiwanis!
Then, the Page One Awards sponsored by the Ledger Enquirer and CB & T were held last night. There is no other gathering in the region where the very brightest students from each academic area are recognized in one program. The students are artists, athletes, musicians, actors, mathematicians, scientists, linguists, and all-around great kids! The competition is tough and the students prepare for this evening for many months. I was proud that the winners represented many schools in the region, both public and private. That tells me that there is good work going on in many places and that students are the winners! Congratulations to all of the winners, runners-up, and nominees.
It is at this time of year when two things happen. As Superintendent, I am invited to many awards programs, luncheons, scholarship programs, and other events where our students who have achieved great honors are recognized. I come away from each event so proud to be part of public education and know that this institution is partnering with families and community organizations to develop great citizens who will continue to promote our great democracy (or republic if you want to get technical).
It is also this time of year that test scores began coming in. Although our scores continue to trend upward in many, many subjects and grades, I mourn over those students we didn't reach, we didn't help to succeed at high levels, and I will have many sleepness nights trying to figure out what else we can do for them. It is a bittersweet time in the life of an educator.
One of the best parts of being an educator, though, is that next school term we get another chance - to do it better, to work harder, to reach more students, to refine our craft. To be an educator is a great profession; to be able to serve this community is a great honor! I am blessed.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Almost finished . . . .
Tonight was the eighth public forum about the pending SPLOST referendum. Tomorrow night will be the last forum. After that, the board will consider the vote to call the referendum.
There were some tough questions asked tonight about building maintenance issues, safety issues, and the administration building. I answered them the best I could; however, most of the questions were regarding decisions made and events that occurred prior to my becoming Superintendent. I can't answer the whys or the whos of the past. I can only answer for today and the future.
I believe the future is bright. I believe that we can provide every classroom with 21st century technology. I believe that we can build enough classrooms to take care of BRAC. I believe that we can make physical education facilities comfortable places for children to get the exercise they need. I believe that we can remedy the problems we currently have with erosion on campuses, roofs that leak, buildings that need painting and repair. I believe we can. I am committed to doing that - on every campus! There is only one thing that will keep me from making sure all of this happens - MONEY! That is why I have gladly spent eight evenings telling the citizens what the capital needs of the district are and listening to public comment. Some of the comments were not pleasant or easy to hear.
There is one other thing that I believe! I believe that people in Muscogee County understand the importance of good public education and care about the conditions of the schools in their community. It is because of this last belief and the confidence I have in this community that will help me sleep tonight.
There were some tough questions asked tonight about building maintenance issues, safety issues, and the administration building. I answered them the best I could; however, most of the questions were regarding decisions made and events that occurred prior to my becoming Superintendent. I can't answer the whys or the whos of the past. I can only answer for today and the future.
I believe the future is bright. I believe that we can provide every classroom with 21st century technology. I believe that we can build enough classrooms to take care of BRAC. I believe that we can make physical education facilities comfortable places for children to get the exercise they need. I believe that we can remedy the problems we currently have with erosion on campuses, roofs that leak, buildings that need painting and repair. I believe we can. I am committed to doing that - on every campus! There is only one thing that will keep me from making sure all of this happens - MONEY! That is why I have gladly spent eight evenings telling the citizens what the capital needs of the district are and listening to public comment. Some of the comments were not pleasant or easy to hear.
There is one other thing that I believe! I believe that people in Muscogee County understand the importance of good public education and care about the conditions of the schools in their community. It is because of this last belief and the confidence I have in this community that will help me sleep tonight.
Now I know you are reading this blog!
A great big "Thank You" to those of you who knew that I would be mortified by the two typos in my previous blogs and you made sure I got the message to rush and correct them! I received an email from a principal and a call from a relative. I couldn't wait to get to the computer to take care of my mistakes! Please continue to be my eyes. I have often told teachers that any misspelled words and/or grammatical errors by educators aren't well tolerated by the public. After all, we are the ones grading the papers!!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Rothchild Middle and Lonnie Jackson Academy
I visited both Rothchild Middle and Lonnie Jackson Academy last week. You must talk about these schools as one because they share a campus . . . and a kitchen with cafeterias on either side of the kitchen for the separate schools. Now, that is unique. I thought it was also unique that during the first few minutes that I was with Mr. Cox, Principal of Rothchild, and the first few minutes that I was with Mrs. Dowis, Principal of Lonnie Jackson, they both made the same statement, "We have some great kids here!" Before we can begin to educate any child, the leaders and teachers must believe in the ability of the students to learn at high levels and to respect them as learners. I felt that in both of these locations.
Both buildings are old and present challenges. Some things we can fix, such as the terrible erosion between the classroom wings at Rothchild and other things, such as the open corridors at Lonnie Jackson, with which we will have to continue to tolerate. In both cases, the principals and teachers were taking a "No Excuses" approach.
At Rothchild, Mr. Cox introduced me to a young man whose mother chooses for him to come to Rothchild. He gets up every morning and rides a city bus to get there and according to the Principal, rarely misses. I could tell by the conversation between the two that the principal and the student are far from strangers and that they have had many conversations about life and how the student can be successful. It was evident that the principal was counselor and mentor in that relationship and it didn't take long to see the respect between the two.
Even in the old building with its many challenges, I felt transformed as I walked into the media center at Lonnie Jackson. The media specialist had soft lighting, special reading spots, and it was an inviting and welcoming space for students. There was also a student restroom that the girls had transformed and had decorated with items they had brought from home. It was pink and prissy and the students showed alot of pride as they shared it with me.
The parents who send their children through the doors of these two schools can be assured that the faculty and staff care about their children, that the leadership is devoted to making a difference, and that there is an orderly environment for learning. Thanks for the tours, Rothchild and Lonnie Jackson!
Both buildings are old and present challenges. Some things we can fix, such as the terrible erosion between the classroom wings at Rothchild and other things, such as the open corridors at Lonnie Jackson, with which we will have to continue to tolerate. In both cases, the principals and teachers were taking a "No Excuses" approach.
At Rothchild, Mr. Cox introduced me to a young man whose mother chooses for him to come to Rothchild. He gets up every morning and rides a city bus to get there and according to the Principal, rarely misses. I could tell by the conversation between the two that the principal and the student are far from strangers and that they have had many conversations about life and how the student can be successful. It was evident that the principal was counselor and mentor in that relationship and it didn't take long to see the respect between the two.
Even in the old building with its many challenges, I felt transformed as I walked into the media center at Lonnie Jackson. The media specialist had soft lighting, special reading spots, and it was an inviting and welcoming space for students. There was also a student restroom that the girls had transformed and had decorated with items they had brought from home. It was pink and prissy and the students showed alot of pride as they shared it with me.
The parents who send their children through the doors of these two schools can be assured that the faculty and staff care about their children, that the leadership is devoted to making a difference, and that there is an orderly environment for learning. Thanks for the tours, Rothchild and Lonnie Jackson!
East Columbus Magnet Academy
Last week I had the opportunity to visit East Columbus Magnet Academy. What a great school! Walk with me through it!
When you walk in you are welcomed by a sign that affirms, "Yes, we made AYP!" As you walk down the halls there is student work - in the commons area, outside classrooms, and inside classrooms. The students are welcomed by a teacher and the principal who stand in the commons area greeting them. If there are dress code violations they are addressed in a non-threatening and affirming manner. You don't leave the commons and enter the academic halls until the shirt tail is tucked!
(On this particular day, a group of students were going on a field trip to the Columbus Tech Career Expo and they had been encouraged to dress in business attire. One young man was dressed in a suit and you may have seen him on the front page of the Columbus Enquirer driving a front-end loader - in the suit! I met this young man's mother who I understand visits the school regularly. Thanks, Mom!)
As Mr. Scott, the Principal, and I walked through the building the instructional day had begun. In every classroom in which we entered,the students were already engaged in the work, teachers teaching, and students working hard - and it was only 8:15 a.m! When I remarked to the principal that they were quick to get started, his reply was, "we don't have any time to waste."
I must tell you about an eighth grader with whom I was so impressed! As we entered the classroom, he was standing in front of the class. On the whiteboard tray were three paintings. They were gorgeous works of art which were suitable for framing and for hanging on any wall in the city! He was explaining to the class the inspiration for each of the works because, you see, he was the artist! The insight with which he talked about his work was mature beyond his years and by the way, this was not an art class, but art was being integrated into the curriculum! When I think about the proposed Fine Arts Academy, I know that it is this kind of young artist that would flourish in that environment.
Mr. Scott also shared with me a portfolio of dozens of pictures showing rooms full of parents who had come for workshops and seminars at the school. He said there is no problem in getting the parents to the school! I think that has something to do with his leadership! He also praised the teachers as we walked through and pointed out their individual strengths.
Mr. Scott told me his vision for East Columbus. He stated that he wanted the community to be so proud of this school that they wouldn't think of sending their children to any other school in the city. I think he is well on his way to seeing that dream come true.
Thank you, Mr. Scott, for your leadership and for the great work being done at East Columbus Magnet Academy!
When you walk in you are welcomed by a sign that affirms, "Yes, we made AYP!" As you walk down the halls there is student work - in the commons area, outside classrooms, and inside classrooms. The students are welcomed by a teacher and the principal who stand in the commons area greeting them. If there are dress code violations they are addressed in a non-threatening and affirming manner. You don't leave the commons and enter the academic halls until the shirt tail is tucked!
(On this particular day, a group of students were going on a field trip to the Columbus Tech Career Expo and they had been encouraged to dress in business attire. One young man was dressed in a suit and you may have seen him on the front page of the Columbus Enquirer driving a front-end loader - in the suit! I met this young man's mother who I understand visits the school regularly. Thanks, Mom!)
As Mr. Scott, the Principal, and I walked through the building the instructional day had begun. In every classroom in which we entered,the students were already engaged in the work, teachers teaching, and students working hard - and it was only 8:15 a.m! When I remarked to the principal that they were quick to get started, his reply was, "we don't have any time to waste."
I must tell you about an eighth grader with whom I was so impressed! As we entered the classroom, he was standing in front of the class. On the whiteboard tray were three paintings. They were gorgeous works of art which were suitable for framing and for hanging on any wall in the city! He was explaining to the class the inspiration for each of the works because, you see, he was the artist! The insight with which he talked about his work was mature beyond his years and by the way, this was not an art class, but art was being integrated into the curriculum! When I think about the proposed Fine Arts Academy, I know that it is this kind of young artist that would flourish in that environment.
Mr. Scott also shared with me a portfolio of dozens of pictures showing rooms full of parents who had come for workshops and seminars at the school. He said there is no problem in getting the parents to the school! I think that has something to do with his leadership! He also praised the teachers as we walked through and pointed out their individual strengths.
Mr. Scott told me his vision for East Columbus. He stated that he wanted the community to be so proud of this school that they wouldn't think of sending their children to any other school in the city. I think he is well on his way to seeing that dream come true.
Thank you, Mr. Scott, for your leadership and for the great work being done at East Columbus Magnet Academy!
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