Collaborate and Appreciate

This past Saturday my husband and I attended the first Education Summit hosted by NC Public Schools First.  We had the opportunity to hear from panelists devoted to school financial issues, retaining teachers, and innovative schools in NC.  During the discussions, we heard from Representative Rosa Gill.  One comment she shared with us was her thoughts regarding why educators get so upset when topics of pay, respect, or curriculum are discussed.  Rep. Gill, a retired educator, said " when you tie our love (subject area or grade level/ age of child) with our desire to impact the future...educators have a right to be passionate".

We also heard from David Kirp, a respected author, who researched schools who succeed when society tells us that shouldn't.  One of the major factors that successful schools do have in common is that they have staffs that collaborate.  As he went on to describe other characteristics of successful schools, many of those characteristics apply to our staff.  One thing he pointed out was that none of the schools who move from "hurtful" to kids to "essential to success" improved overnight.  Their improvement came over a period of time.  Continual progress moves things from bad to good to great.  I have been blessed to be present to see amazing things happen at EES over the past three years.  I appreciate each of you and even those who started the journey with us and are not here anymore.  I know that there are greater things to come. I know this because the heart has always been here.  The will has always been here.  Over the past three years we have just began to collaborate more strategically, in house and also outside our house, to improve our practice.  I believe that through these intentional collaborations we have strengthened our appreciation for our co-workers, the students we educate, and the community we serve.

As we begin our week long celebration of all everyone in this building does on a daily basis please know that it is a blessing to collaborate with each of you and I appreciate all you do.


Hope you enjoy this video...pretty funny. Reminds me of our Bonfire!

Week of May 5-9, 2014
Summatives and Evaluations Continue
Teacher Appreciation Week 

Monday

• 3rd Grade PLC
• 4th Grade PLC
• Committee Meetings at 3:45 (we will all meet in Media Center to discuss EOG, Boot Camp, and SWAG before breaking up for committee meetings; please make sure you have signed up on Google Doc if having meeting- see email sent mid week last week for link)
• Boot Camp Continues
• Massages for Staff in Conference Room

Tuesday

• Last Parent Reception 8-10 AM
• PEP Audit (I will pick up one PEP from each teacher Tuesday AM)
• 5th Grade PLC
• Hill Meeting in Lillington at 3:00
• Tutoring afterschool
• Ice Cream Social at 3:30 

Wednesday

• Devotion in Auditorium at 7:30 AM
• Breakfast for Staff
• Interview for PE Position at 11:30
• Coaching Collaborative Grant Meeting in EC/ LLI Room Upstairs at 2:30

Thursday

• Principal's Meeting (Hill out 7:45-1:30 )
• Mentor Meeting at 3:30
• Media Center Inventory (Gaines/ Dunkins will be coming to rooms to find materials checked out to you)
• Pizza Party IXL or AR Goal Achievers (Dunkins/ Gaines will be sending more info out)
• Sweet Treat for Staff

Friday

• Safety Patrol Field Trip (Blue, Hunt, and Jones Out)
• Staff Cookout (More details to follow)