Unshackled from State Rule

According to our community meeting our children are no longer being held hostage by the North Bolivar School District. Check out the article from the Clarion Ledger in the links to the right under North Bolivar School District.

Big News for a Small Town

As you may recall the North Bolivar School District, 3 schools with 890 students, was taken over by the state last November for pitiful test scores. We were ranked as a level one priority, which can be translated as, "It doesn't get any worse than this." Our superintendent was fired and replaced with a conservator to oversee all affairs. An interim superintendent was appointed and all freedom had been stripped from the teachers. Our daily instruction was formatted to help increase test scores. Stress levels were high but the school community bonded together under strenuous conditions for the benefit of our students.

Ever since we completed state exams last May everyone has been anxiously awaiting our new school level. Rumors abound. Particularly in a small community the rumor mill churns at an astonishing velocity. The rumors have been coming through the grapevine, by way of little birds chirping, and of course daily water cooler talk. While impossible to take any of the talk as completely legitimate, word was that scores are up, things are looking good, and we will be starting off the year on an upswing.

Today at 6:30 pm a town meeting was scheduled at the Shelby Middle School Auditorium. The centerpiece of the meeting was Dr. Hank Bounds, State Superintendent of Education, who would be delivering our new school level. Unlike the first time Dr. Bounds was at the school, people were smiling today. Good news was in the air.

After a series of speakers and selections played by the high school band Dr. Bounds came to the podium. He had three Vanna White style assistants on stage holding placards of the previous school levels; Brooks Elementary - level 1 priority, Shelby Middle – level 1 priority, and Broad Street High School - level 3. Amidst a hushed crowd Dr. Bounds looked at the signs, looked at the crowd, looked at the signs, looked at the crowd…then like the magical letters of the Wheel of Fortune the Vanna Whites turned the placards to reveal...BROOKS - LEVEL 4, SHELBY MIDDLE - LEVEL 4, BROAD STREET - LEVEL 3!!!!! AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!!!! STANDING OVATIONS!!!! CHEERING!!!! HOOTING!!! HOLLERING!!!

Mr. Cooper breaks out in dance and calls out the good job cheer. All participate, "GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! (clap, clap) G-O-O-D J-O-B, GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! (clap, clap)"

This is all tremendous news. We will be starting the year on the right foot. Everyone is proud of each other and the overriding feeling amongst administrators, teachers, and the community is positivity. We must continue this hard work and collaboration to ensure an enriching and engaging academic experience for our students. Higher test scores do not mean that the problem is solved but that we are moving in the right direction. As our conservator said, "The district did not need to be turned around but picked up and moved forward." Congratulations to all, we need to keep moving forward.

Simply Solitary

I live alone. For the first time in my life I live alone and it is not like I am living in NYC surrounded by 8 million people or even living alone in a substantial Delta town of 12,000. I am living alone outside a town of 2000 inhabitants. When I step outside at night depending on which way I look I can either see the ambient light of Shelby, or I can see nothing. Endless darkness blanketing the fields I know to exist. On a clear night I can see millions of stars, if a storm is rolling in I can watch it approach from miles away and when I cook breakfast I watch the newest member of the farm, a baby peacock, follow around Mom learning about the ins and outs of life. This is exhilarating and sometimes nerve wracking. What was that noise? Are there eyes peering in through the windows? The mind can wonder when one is left alone. Thankfully, I have a pack of dogs, lead by two ferocious German Shepherds, keeping guard over the homestead.

I expect my newly acquired solitude to yield unrivaled productivity...we will see.

Back in the M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

I have returned to the 'Sip. It has been just over six weeks since the jet plane shuttled me off to Central America for a travel experience that has rejuvenated my spirit and focused my energies for a year of success. I explored both the lands of Panama and the depths of my soul. I navigated remote rivers deep in the jungle to commune with natives. I also ascended the Volcano Baru (Panama's highest peak) at 2am, alone, guided only by the stars and my flashlight on a quest to see the sunrise over both oceans at the same time. To cap off these two weeks of solitary exploration I headed for the thriving metropolis of Panama City where I spent nine days touring the city with a group of local artists. They spoke only Spanish and, fortunately, had the patience to speak to me in my developing Spanish. Now, I am back at the farm prepping for school and hosting three new TFA recruits who will be working at my school this year.

Yesterday I went back to the middle school to say, "hello", shake hands, and banter with my colleagues. The administration has not released official test scores but has said that the data is very positive and the state is pleased with our performance. I also learned that the SKC will no longer be leading the legions of fifth grade students but will be endeavoring to mold the minds of a fresh crop of fourth grade students. I am excited about this change of events, not so much that I lost my enormous classroom, but that my students will be coming from the elementary school and have no idea of who I am. It will be a clean slate for all.

This year, like the last, is going to be intense but for different reasons. I now have a foundational year of teaching experience and am exponentially more prepared to extol the virtues of learning to my students and to deliver content through meaningful instruction. In combination with the abundance of work to ensure that this year will be even more dynamic and inspirational than the last, I have taken on increased responsibility within both the TFA organization and my school. Outside of working to provide an enriching academic experience for my students, I am leading a learning team for upper elementary math teachers during monthly TFA Professional Saturdays, and I have been appointed as the lead teacher for my grade level. These new roles will provide dynamic opportunities for increased collaboration and student achievement.

Last year, I observed two teachers who made a tremendous impact upon the efficiency and effectiveness of the school. They assumed a substantial load of additional responsibility outside of their classrooms and significantly contributed to the success of the school. I admire these individuals for their excellence in teaching but also for their willingness to go above and beyond their stated duties. One of my goals this year is to be able to stimulate change beyond the walls of my classroom. With the guidance of these teachers, I look forward to playing a greater role in positively impacting the Shelby School learning community.