Dr. Grant Bell: Leader And Role Model

Prior to coming to Hoke County, Dr. Williamson had already served in a plethora of diverse roles in his educational career (e.g., teacher, assistant principal, vocational-educational director, principal, director of secondary and middle school education, director of personnel, associate superintendent, and a boys and girls basketball coach), therefore becoming a superintendent was inevitable; the school board knew he could advance the Hoke County’s School System, however the “key” was: he was a willing vessel.

This interview was conducted with Wes Jensen the current principal of Mountain View Middle School. He has been the principal at his current school for two years, and was vice principal of the Blackfoot High School for two years. Before he became an administrator he was a classroom teacher for seven years, giving him 11 years of experience in education. The school has a very diverse population comprised of many different ethnicities including Native American, Hispanic, and Caucasian. The economic situations range from wealthy to highly impoverished. As the principal of this school he is a very professional man who holds high expectations for his staff.

The teacher I interviewed for this project was a fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Keith Wolkovitz. This teacher has been teaching at East Rock Community Magnet School for his entire career of eleven years. East Rock Community Magnet School is a Title I school in the New Haven School District. The school has a very diverse population and over 90% of the students qualify for the free-reduced lunch program. As a Title I school, the school is also mandated by the state to implement certain remedial interventions to improve students’ academic scores.

Mrs. Rowe, the Assistant Principal, has “trained teachers and taught students in Benin, West Africa; taught in an integrated program for at-risk students in Los Alamos, New Mexico; started a program for at-risk students in Mahopac, New York; and taught AP, Honors, special ed., at-risk, and low-level readers in the Cherry Creek School District.” (Aurora Academy, 2013)

This is a huge job to ask of someone; to teach grades kindergarten through 6th in the same class and with limited supplies. Although everyday he somehow manages to do it. Even knowing that these lessons were probably not getting through to the children. “We’re teachers, and we have a commitment.”(Gaines 29) Although Grant wants to leave he knows that what he is doing is bigger than anything he could do elsewhere and his soon to be wife reminds him of that. His impact on the community is really big not just from an education standpoint but also from a prejudice standpoint. The education of the children will help the community to break the shackles segregation and slowly make their quarter of Bayonne as good as its white

For the purpose of this assignment, the leader I have chosen Ms. J, the principal of a charter school in New Orleans charter school named Harriet Tubman Charter School. Ms. J was also a founder of a school network that oversees 3 elementary to 8th grade schools. Founded in 2011 the schools now serve over 1700 students in the New Orleans area. Tubman Charter school has a staff of eighty. Ms. Lauses role is to oversee eight staff members that ensure that the school produces leading results for the state as well as promising scholars that will path their way to college. As the principal of this school specifically, Ms. J has large obstacles that go beyond the walls of the school. Harriet Tubman Charter school is within a neighborhood that struggles both economically and educationally. Almost 100% of the scholars qualify for a free lunch and are black or Latino and the kindergartens scholars that arrive on the first day know only one or two letters of the alphabet. Historically before Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans on 38% of public school students graduated high school (quote). While most people see this as a place where most people see extreme challenges, Ms. J see’s it as an opportunity for change and promise.

Recently, I read an article by Jen Orr called “Raising Our Teacher Voices: A Call for A New Generation of Leadership”. Ms. Orr is a teacher in nearby Fairfax County who was chosen as a 2013 ASCD Emerging Leader. Consequently, she was asked to serve as a panelist at ASCD’s 2014 Whole Child Symposium.

Education is the best way to continue the revolution started by Mr. Adams and others. I work hard to achieve good grades and I devote countless hours to tutoring others to ensure their success as well. I work, plan, build, and dream in order to achieve the success God has planned. With hard work and courage, I will make a difference in this world that will benefit many. PSM symbolizes a learning torch for many children who come from all walks of life as it provides a vigorous education, a safe environment, and a platform to push oneself beyond perceived limits. Mr. Adams hires passionate teachers who care about our learning and well-being. In return, we demonstrate our appreciation by attending prestigious colleges, making noticeable contributions to society, and returning to talk to the new up and coming PSM students. I admire Mr. Adams and all of the righteous undertakings he has endured. And just like Mr. Adams, I plan to pass the torch on to the next generation yet to

In February, Galaviz will be traveling to the NEA Foundation Gala in Washington, D.C., to receive $10,000 and the NEA Foundation’s Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence. As one of only five recipients in the nation, this prestigious honor really reinforces Galaviz’s devotion to continually going above and beyond for her students, something that, for her, starts long before the start of the school year. Every summer, Galaviz goes door to door, meeting with the families of her incoming students. As an educator, she believes that knowing about the student, their family dynamic and their home helps her to be a better teacher. “I

“All Quiet on The Western Front” is a fictional German war novel written by Erich Maria Remarque. It is an anti-war novel written as a monument for the unknown fallen soldiers. ” This book is to be neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped its shells, were destroyed by the war.” (Ch 1 9) Remarque published the profound piece in 1929, told based off his own experiences during World War I in the German army (Napierkowski).

African-American communities have been asked to sacrifice hiring qualified, capable Black teachers for a promise of increased test scores. People of color are to shout to the heavens for school choice and accept a lottery. These are all false dichotomies and inconsistencies that reflect our allegiances to organizations and ideologies rather than community. We are a community driven institution, which is at the essence of our mission. Dillard remains one of the few places that promulgate the black middle class in both word and in deed. We as an institution supports Dr. Darwish in his efforts to secure funds for this STEM program, because it is our belief too that education is an incubator for literacy, employment, citizenship and activism. These courses are prerequisites for upper level classes in STEM programs, including nursing, physics and public health. For the 24 girls selected each year to participate Dillard University serves as more than just another university but rather an educational map, economic development plan, political stage and protector for not only the low-income families, but also future generations. Let us not forget, HBCU’s were the original Teach for America in this regard, therefore, we have an obligation to ensure the success of young

As an experienced and energetic teacher at Picadome Elementary for the past 17 years, I am committed to high quality education for all children despite gender, socio-economic levels, race, ethnicities, and learning capabilities. I have sought leadership opportunities including serving on the SBDM and being chairperson of both the Budget and Needs Assessment committees. I worked closely with the Picadome leadership team and other SBDM members to ensure that budget decisions were based on achievement data and would increase student learning.

I 'm currently serving as a 2013 Corps member for Teach For America. I joined teach for America because I believe in their mission that all students deserve an equal an excellent education. I also joined because they work with schools where students are growing up in poverty and low income communities; a resemblance of my past. You see, we become our worst critics and even the mir image of success vanishes when our thoughts become clouded with fantasies; imaginative thoughts of the impossible. I longed for success, making it clear that the riches were of no importance to me. To others it appeared that I yes she, is writing her own story; untold was the beginning.

presented to me by Dr. Sharon Shields, our superintendent for The La Vega Independent School

Professor Mehl was one of the first professors I had at Cal Poly and we have stayed in touch ever since. Inside the classroom, he is professional, compassionate, and enthusiastic about educating others. The abundance of knowledge he has is unmatched to any professor I had during my time at Cal Poly. Outside of the classroom, Professor Mehl has been a mentor to me and helped me throughout some of the struggles I faced in college. As a future elementary teacher, he has shown me how to be a supporter of one’s students both inside and outside of the classroom. I feel so lucky to have been a student of Professor Mehl, a leader, educator, and mentor to his