Kid's Capability

This past year, I asked my video editing class to create an inspiration video to show at 8th grade Graduation. I gave the teacher and students very little direction. I wanted our students to create and think outside of the box. The ultimate goal was to inspire the graduates as well as the audience. The first time I saw the video it gave me goose bumps. I was blown away with the quality of the video.

As I saw the video again the other day, it reminded me about how much we limit our student's ability to think outside the box.  We have everything so regimented that we miss the ability for the student's to get creative. I am not opposed to having everything planned; however, when we do this all the time, we miss out on so many great things that the kids could do. Kids are capable of so much more than we can ever imagine. Please remember that we should never limit our students. Give them free reign on their education and I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.  

Below you will find the video that they created. Hold onto your seats. You are going to enjoy the ride.

https://drive.google.com/a/hjisd.net/file/d/0Bx5HYQXhxmx_bFJ3eFBrd2ZXSGs/view

Thanks to Mr. Travis Gremillion's video editing class for inspiring me.

A Fresh Start to a New Year

New beginnings provide lots of opportunities, especially as a new school year approaches. I love the beginning of the school year. I always look forward to seeing the teachers, and students come back into the building. It is always good to catch up and find out what they did this summer. I enjoy hearing people's story. Everyone has a story to tell; however, no one really takes the time to sit down and listen to it. I am guilty of this a lot of times. I hope this year, I will make more of an effort to listen to what makes people who they are. This will provide me valuable insight into what makes them tick so I can help them achieve and be all they can be.

Marsha Petrie Sue says, "Every day is a new beginning. Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and look at what it can be.This year can and will be great. We need to always remember Marsha's words. Every day, we have an opportunity to do something great. Do not worry about what happened yesterday. Focus your mind on the task at hand. If you need help, please ask. We would love to help you especially if you are asking for it.

 

Personal Learning Plans for Teachers

Nelson Mandela said, "education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." The more you know, the more equipped you will be for whatever life throws your way. As educators, we have the ability to change the world one student at a time. This is why I believe it is important for all of us to continue our learning. Wikipedia defines learning as "the act of acquiring new, or modifying and reinforcing, existing, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences and may involve synthesizing different types of information." We can never know enough.
I want all of the educators in my building to continue to learn and keep growing. If you are not learning, you are not growing.  

Welcome Back HMS Staff! 

I want to officially welcome all of you to the 2015-2016 school year! Summer has come and gone so quickly. I hope you enjoyed the time with your family and friends.    

I am honored to have the opportunity to return this school year as your Principal and I feel grateful to work with each of you. You are going to see drastic improvements ecstatically around the campus. They painted all the hallways, gym, and cafeteria. It looks fantastic.   

During the summer, I get to reflect on our achievements and work on improvement plans for areas we need to adjust. With us working together, I believe we can continue to be the best middle school in the region as well as the state. Parents and students are busting at the doors to get into Hardin Jefferson because all your success. I listened to a parent today who was pleading with me why we should them into our campus. It is shows me how great our school really is. 

I want us to continue to love on students and make a difference in student’s lives. That is why we signed up for this profession.  

One of my personal goals this year is to get our name out there. We have wonderful things happening on campus that our constituents know nothing about.  

The middle school years are the hardest years by far and that is why I love working with these students. This is a critical time in their development and that is why they need teachers who are going to love on them and care for no matter what. They are going to mess up. They will make wrong choices; however, it is our job to be patient with them and show them the correct way to act. 

I look forward in working with all of you to make this school year successful. I am committed to students and families as well as a love for learning.