The Patriot Pride
#RiseUp!
Hello Patriots,
I just wanted to take a minute to introduce myself, tell you a little about who I am and let you know how excited I am to be at Liberty Bell! I have heard wonderful things about all of you and know of the outstanding reputation of Liberty Bell. I look forward to working with you!
I was born in Johnson City and lived with my family on the corner of Welborne Street and East 11th Street in a little, yellow house until I was in the third grade. I actually went to North Side Elementary from kindergarten through second grade. At that time, my family moved to Kingsport. I attended Kingsport City Schools and graduated from Dobyns-Bennett. I then attended Milligan College, where I double majored in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and was certified to teach pre-k through 8th grade. While at Milligan, I met my husband, Nathan. To make that long story short, we have been married for 22 years and have two girls. My oldest daughter, Elizabeth, will graduate from Dobyns-Bennett this Friday and will attend MTSU this fall. My youngest daughter, Kate, will be in the 8th grade at Sevier Middle School. My husband, Nathan, is the executive director at First Broad Street United Methodist Church, in Kingsport.
As for my professional life, until now, I have spent my entire professional career in Kingsport City. I taught for 14 years and never thought I wanted to be a principal. I was passionate about curriculum and instruction, loved working with students and thought I would stay in the classroom forever. While teaching, I received an M. Ed in Early Childhood Education and an Ed. D in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, in hopes that I might one day return to Milligan College and teach at the college level. It was not until I started my doctoral classes in Administration that I realized just how important the role of principal IS for students and teachers. At that time, I began to feel called to the principalship because, while I did not covet a spotlight of positional leadership, I was keenly aware that there was a deep need for principals who had a heart and will to advocate for teachers and students and to work along-side them day to day to get the job done right. I know that the hardest working people in a school district are the teachers. Inside classrooms is where the most important work happens in a school district. The expectations for districts, schools and teachers get more difficult every year. For me, my role as principal for the last nine years has been to work tirelessly to ensure that teachers are supported to meet the social-emotional and academic needs of all students.
I am committed to working along-side you to continue to make Liberty Bell the great school that it is. Our work is difficult! But, oh, how our work matters! I am excited each morning when the doors of the school open, because I know that when students enter our building, we have a brand new opportunity to change lives for the better. Our entire purpose is to be positive difference-makers in the lives of others. What a calling!
In order to get started on this work, I would love for you to take just a few minutes to respond to several survey questions. I hope to compile the results and share them with you so that we can determine our future steps together. Great schools are the result of honest reflection and input from all stakeholders and so this will be a great first step for us to determine our current school priorities and help set our work.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PATRIOT SURVEY
I am also hoping to be able to set up some open times next week in order to have time to meet or talk with anyone who would like to come and say hello and meet prior to our year starting! It's a busy time and I realize for many, there may just not be time to do that and I completely understand! It's going to be a great year!