October 2021 – Schools In High Point

October 27, 2021 0 Comments Schools in High Point Extraordinary Leaders Extraordinary Leader GCS, Guilford County Schools ..., High Point Schools Partnership, HPSP, Penn-Griffin,

Extraordinary Leader: Howard Stimpson

The High Point Schools Partnership had the privilege of sitting down and talking with Howard Stimpson, principal of Penn-Griffin School for the Arts. Stimpson is originally from Clemmons, North Carolina. He moved to the High Point/Greensboro area to receive his undergraduate degree in Education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) and has stayed in the area since. Stimpson started his career in Social Studies as a student-teacher at Ragsdale High School. As his cooperating teacher was about to retire, Stimpson moved right into this position. He started at Ragsdale teaching one psychology class and the remainder being U.S. history classes. The goal of the school was to build the enrollment in psychology classes and AP psychology classes and this is just what Stimpson did. It was because of this success that he was recommended for and became involved in the Leadership Team. Stimpson stayed at Ragsdale for 10 years. From there he went back to UNCG to earn his Masters of School Administration. He became an assistant principal at High Point Central for six years, principal at the Kearns Academy for 3 years, and is currently in his 5th year at Penn Griffin.

When asked about programs he wanted to highlight Stimpson told us about a very exciting new program that is coming to Penn-Griffin. In partnership with Notes for Notes, based in California, Penn-Griffin will be starting its own modern music production program. This program will function out of a new state-of-the-art professional recording studio within the Penn-Griffin building. The school prides itself on its selection of traditional arts programs but this will bring the school into the new age of music. Stimpson is confident that the building of the studio will have made substantial progress by January 2022 and be at a point in which students can learn about the building of such a room. Penn-Griffin already offers a modern music class but this space will enhance their learning experiences. This program and space is made to target students who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to participate in such an experience. It is because of this goal that the space will be open to an after-school program that mirrors the in-school program so students from outside of Penn Griffin can benefit too. To top off the whole space there will be a Coltrane Mural outside of the room.

Thank you Howard for sitting down and talking with us. We look forward to continuing to talk with and highlight different High Point principals and all the good going on at their school.

October 25, 2021 0 Comments Schools in High Point Extraordinary Educators Extraordinary Educators Florence Elementary School, GCS ..., Guilford County Schools, High Point Schools Partnership, HPSP,

Extraordinary Educator: Kelsey Williams

Kelsey Williams, Florence Elementary School, awarded High Point Extraordinary Educator by the High Point School Schools Partnership at High Point Country Club, High Point, N.C., Friday, August 20, 2021. (Lynn Hey photo)

2021 Extraordinary Educators: Kelsey Williams

Great communities have great schools. High Point Schools Partnership creates impactful connections between our schools and the wider community to ensure students and their families are supported and can reach their full potential in High Point schools.

Part of High Point Schools Partnerships’ mission is to improve the image of our schools through storytelling. Who better to tell the stories of High Point’s schools than the people experiencing it first-hand? In this series of eight articles, we will highlight our 2021 High Point Extraordinary Educators as we dive deeper into what keeps them motivated in the face of constant challenges.

Kelsey Williams

Kelsey Williams has been an educator at Florence Elementary School for 5 years. Williams says “the community is incredible” and “the relationships she has created are stronger than just one school year; they are lifelong.”

Chiyanna Young, Florence Elementary School’s principal, says Mrs. Williams is “an extraordinary teacher that builds great relationships with parents, students, and staff.”

Others describe her as a friendly and caring person who is always willing to help students and staff. In regards to her lessons, Young says Mrs. Williams “has creative ideas to make her lessons fun. When I walk into Mrs. Williams’ classroom, I can feel the love and warmth between student and teacher.”

Q: What inspired you to become an educator?

A: In my first three years of elementary school, I attended three different schools. When I got to my third school (2^nd grade), I had the most amazing teacher. I will never forget the kindness and passion that she had for teaching. My teacher in third grade displayed the same kindness, grace, and desire for changing kids’ lives. Their passion inspired me to pursue my 2^nd grade self-dream of becoming a teacher.

Q: What’s your teaching/leadership style?

A: My teaching style includes setting high expectations for all my students. I firmly believe that all my students can achieve whatever they set their minds to, even in third grade. As far as leading, I love sharing new technology that will enhance the classroom with my colleagues. Often, I am called upon to help veteran teachers learn the new ropes as we continue to build 21^st century learners.

Q: Do you have a classroom motto or philosophy you abide by? Why?

A: My dad has a saying that he tells me often that I base my classroom on. “You can’t fly like an eagle if you hang around turkeys.” This statement of comparing the elegant flight of an eagle and success versus the poor judgment of a group of turkeys is understandable for my third grade students. It is easy for them to picture and apply to situations throughout the school day.

Q: What’s your favorite part about every day?

A: The best part of every day is when my students come into our classroom. It is a new opportunity for me to impart as much knowledge as I can to my students. Seeing my students’ excitement when they walk in is contagious and provides a spark for me to get the day going.

Q: What’s your most memorable moment as an educator?

A: My most memorable moment as an educator happened during my first year teaching. I was teaching kindergarten. I had a student who came in without any knowledge of what a book was. Based on testing, he was far below “Reading Behaviors”. This student was also an English Language Learner who barely spoke any English. By the end of the year, this student was speaking fluent English with his classmates and reading at the middle of 1^st grade reading level. I was so proud of the growth that he accomplished.

Mrs. Williams wants all of her students to know she is “you mom at school.” It is her responsibility to make sure that each of you has a great day, learns something new, and stays safe.

For parents? She says “we are a team.” Both Williams’ and her student’s parents want what is best for their student, and Williams says “they are the most precious gift and I am truly lucky to get to spend time with them every day.”

Thank you so much to Kelsey Williams for your dedication to High Point’s students. Congratulations on being selected as your school’s 2021 Extraordinary Educator!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

Article written by High Point Schools Partnership Staff

October 20, 2021 0 Comments Schools in High Point Extraordinary Leaders Andrew's High School Extraordinary Leader, GCS ..., Guilford County Schools, High Point Schools Partnership, HPSP,

Extraordinary Leader: Marcus Gause

The High Point Schools Partnership had the privilege of sitting down and talking with Marcus Gause, principal of T. Wingate Andrews High School. Though education was not Gause’s original career path, his past 17 years in education have proved his dedication and love for his students. Originally from a small farming community in North Carolina, Gause struggled a lot academically. Since inclusive education was not widely available in his hometown Gause had to work against the grain to become the first in his family to attend college. It was challenging such as these that have made Gause push hard for all of his students, understanding the struggles that go on under the surface.

Though Gause struggled early in school he did not let this stand in his way of receiving a plethora of higher education accolades. A B.S. in Manufacturing Systems, Masters in Industrial Technology, Masters in School Administration, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership are all parts of what make Gause the well-educated and highly respected educator he is today. Before entering the field of education Gause was an engineer at an aerospace company in D.C. Years later he met his wife, got married, and started his career as an educator in Durham county schools as a substitute teacher. Gause remained in this school district for three years where he served as a substitute teacher, Exceptional Children teachers assistant, ISS Coordinator, math teacher, and did his administrative internship. After leaving the Durham area for the Greensboro/High Point area where Gause is currently in his 14th year in administration. While an employee of Guilford County Schools, Gause served as the Assistant Principal for Dudley High School for 3 years, worked in the Central Office as a Title 1 Program Specialists, middle school principal, and worked at GCS Middle College. For the past four years, Gause has been the principal at Andrew’s High School.

Gause spoke incredibly highly about his home school of Andrews High School and was eager to tell us about all the good they have going on. The first program he wanted to highlight was brought to them by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Andrews has been given a full-time college advisor who helps students through the college application process. This week alone, High Point University and Greensboro College have visited the school and a college and career fair has been held for military, colleges, and universities to speak directly to students and families. While all of the excitement about a future is fresh for the students, the college advisor collects information that will later be used to help with collegiate onboarding forms. Gause also wanted to highlight the “Ladies of Andrews” and “Men of Andrews” programs that are available to students. These meetings feature speakers and lessons surrounding such topics as table etiquette, how to dress for interviews, resumes, cover letters, and interview skills. Once the lessons have been completed there is a “round-robin” with businesses to practice the skills the students have just learned. This final event has been supported by vendors who pay for students to receive interview suits and a catered dinner to practice etiquette skills.

Gause didn’t stop at these incredible programs, he continued on to share more about Andrews.

Line Dance Friday has quickly caught the eye of many students who want to try something new. This month in particular, Hispanic and Latin X culture is at the center of the music and dance. Next month the students will go around the world learning about a number of different countries by learning their music and dance. This is just one of the many ways Gause tries to affirm and celebrate the many different cultures and life experiences of his students. It was this goal that pushed Gause to attend the American National Standards Institute where he learned how to make all curriculum equitable and inclusive. He is planning on having a whole period with no English, teachers, and materials will be in another language spoken at the school to give native-English speakers a chance to relate to their peers.

Thank you Marcus for sitting down and talking with us. We look forward to continuing to talk with and highlight different High Point principals and all the good going on at their school.

October 18, 2021 0 Comments Schools in High Point Extraordinary Educators Extraordinary Educators GCS, Guilford County Schools ..., High Point Schools Partnership, HPSP, Southwest Guilford High School,

Extraordinary Educator: Michelle Lovett

2021 Extraordinary Educators: Michelle Lovett

Michelle Lovett

Since 2004, Michelle Lovett has been working at Southwest Guilford High School. She feels the community is a “good fit” because she loves “what she teaches and who she teaches.” Referencing Southwest Guilford High School, Lovett states the school’s “leadership has been strong” and her “staff of colleagues are great people who care about kids.”

Micahel Hettenbach, the principal at Southwest Guilford High School, says Ms. Lovett’s knowledge and passion for science filters into her students and colleagues.”

According to Hettenbach, “She cares about her students, sets very high expectations, and maximizes student potential while problem-solving the challenges we faced during the pandemic. She truly embraced addressing the barriers of her students and colleagues in order to find better ways or technological skills to make things more efficient for everyone.”

Mrs. Lovett “wants everyone to know they are ‘science people.’ Science has such a place in our lives, knowing basics and how to think and question like a scientist is important for all our communities and the problems we solve together. This world belongs to our kids – they need to know and understand how it works.”

“Then, to the parents of my students specifically, I have their kid’s back and I want to see them succeed as much as you do.”

Q: What inspired you to become an educator?

A: I am a lateral entry teacher; I worked in environmental geology before I was a teacher. I love how applicable science is to live and understanding the physical world. I enjoyed bringing the application of a subject I’m passionate about to students. Subjects are more meaningful to learn when students understand why and how things are needed “out there.”

Q: What’s your teaching/leadership style?

A: I am enthusiastic and super passionate about my subject. I am no-nonsense; I hold the bar high and hold high expectations. I say what I mean, I mean what I say. Kids really like that type of consistency because they know what to expect.

Q: Do you have a classroom motto or philosophy you abide by? Why?

A: Oooh lots of these – I will go with the most current and most applicable for all. School is more about learning to work hard for yourself than any specific subject. In reality, kids can find their passions in school and our courses are just teaching them to do what it takes to get what they want. In a teenage place where many kids want the easy way out, they need to know – “Hard things are worth doing.”

Q: What’s your favorite part about every day?

A: Any day that has a “light bulb” moment – when that glimmer of understanding comes out in conversation with peers. And all those students who take little fun facts and class snippets about biology home and share with their families. Students engaging with a subject you love makes for a good day, every day.

Q: What’s your most memorable moment as an educator?

A: There are several. Memorable moments are hard to contextualize. Sometimes they are funny moments, like when the newts escaped from their containers during lab. Students who come back to tell us about their successes are always fantastic to hear from. But as an educator, I can always count on field trips to be memorable. Something about learning in the field makes the memories – 9^th grade biology field camp, AP marine biology, and all the local trips. Science is meant to be studied outside.

Thank you so much to Michelle Lovett for your dedication to High Point’s students. Congratulations on being selected as your school’s 2021 Extraordinary Educator!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

Article written by High Point Schools Partnership Staff

October 13, 2021 0 Comments Schools in High Point Extraordinary Leaders Extraordinary Leader GCS, Guilford County Schools ..., High Point Schools Partnership, HPSP, Oak Hill Elementary School,

Extraordinary Leader: Sonia Marquez

The High Point Schools Partnership had the privilege of sitting down and talking with Sonia Marquez, principal of Oak Hill Elementary. Originally from the Durham school district, Marquez taught elementary and middle school ESL (English as a Second Language) before moving on to become an Assistant Principal in High School. She is no stranger to the public school system having experience from preschool to 12th grade.

A warrior for the bicultural and bilingual, Marquez is herself a first-generation Mexican American educator. This experience has led her to be personally motivated to make an impact on cultural acceptance in her community. Being only 1 of 3 Latinx leaders in the district she feels this role cannot be taken lightly and wants to serve as both a “mirror and window” to her students and families who have or have not, had a role model like her before. [To read more about the idea of cultural “mirrors and windows” that Marquez refers to, read here]

One of the goals of the High Point Schools Partnership is to highlight the wonderful things going on in High Point school and Marquez had no problem talking about Oak Hill in this way. Through our conversation, Marquez highlighted both their school garden and their food pantry. The food pantry, in particular, was a great success for her. At their schools’ food pantry, Oak Hill provides family food boxes. This food designated for the whole family is also culturally responsive so everyone has something to eat while maintaining the dignity of their individual culture. This food pantry will be housed in their “Parent Resource Center” in which families can come to use the computer, pick up school supplies and access their clothing closets. Marquez also pointed to 5th Grade science teacher, Yanique Jones, from Jamaica. This global teacher highlights multiculturalism and affirms the 9+ language spoken in the building at Oak Hill.

Thank you Sonia for sitting down and talking with us. We look forward to continuing to talk with and highlight different High Point principals and all the good going on at their school.

October 11, 2021 0 Comments Schools in High Point Extraordinary Educators Extraordinary Educators GCS, Guilford County Schools ..., High Point Schools Partnership, HPSP, Shadybrook Elementary School,

Extraordinary Educator: Sheila Hernandez

Shelia Hernandez, Shadybrook Elementary School, awarded High Point Extraordinary Educator by the High Point School Schools Partnership at High Point Country Club, High Point, N.C., Friday, August 20, 2021. (Lynn Hey photo)

2021 Extraordinary Educators: Sheila Hernandez

Sheila Hernandez

Sheila Hernandez has been a dedicated educator at Shadybrook Elementary School for 21 years. The close friendships she has developed with her “colleagues, students, and families of students” is a network that she loves and continues to foster as she stays at Shadybrook.

George Green, Shadybrook’s principal, says Mrs. Hernandez is “friendly, considerate of others, thoughtful, organized, and reasonable” while “always ensuring that students are excelling academically, socially, and emotionally in her class.”

Her teacher assistant states Mrs. Hernandez “embraced the challenge of remote learning, which included Canvas planning, and thought outside of the box in order to give their kids the best possible learning experience.”

Q: What inspired you to become an educator?

A: My mom and aunt would often say to me that they thought I would enjoy teaching. I was not so sure, but I eased my way in as a teacher assistant. After a few years, I decided they were right, so I went back to college for my teaching license.

Q: What’s your teaching/leadership style?

A: To learn every day and have fun while doing so! To see students as individuals before I see them as my class.

Q: Do you have a classroom motto or philosophy you abide by? Why?

A: We may not all learn at the same pace, but we will all learn. I believe it and it helps set my students up for success.

Q: What’s your favorite part about every day?

A: Seeing my students and observing them learning, growing, and becoming confident in themselves.

Q: What’s your most memorable moment as an educator?

A: I love the experiences when students have those “light bulb” moments when the concept of what’s been taught actually clicks and they understand and are so excited that it glows throughout their whole body!

Mrs. Hernandez wants all of her students “to succeed, to achieve and become the best they can be.” She says it’s always her goal to “help any way possible” and to help students experience learning as “something that’s fun and exciting.”

Thank you so much to Sheila Hernandez for your dedication to High Point’s students. Congratulations on being selected as your school’s 2021 Extraordinary Educator!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

Article written by High Point Schools Partnership Staff

October 4, 2021 0 Comments Schools in High Point Extraordinary Educators Extraordinary Educators GCS, Guilford County Schools ..., High Point Schools Partnership, HPSP, Kirkman Park Elementary School,

Extraordinary Educator: Sandra Cango

2021 Extraordinary Educators: Sandra Cango

Sandra Cango

For the last 4 years, Sandra Cango has been working at Kirkman Park Elementary School. Kirkman Park is a Spanish Immersion School in High Point. As an intercultural exchange teacher, Ms. Sandra Cango finds her reasons for staying to be simple truths: she loves “the school, the staff, the kids, and the community.”

Kirkman Park Elementary School’s principal, Jamal Crawford, describes Sandra Cango’s classroom as “one where teaching comes alive for her students. She is kind, creative, and always willing to help. Her classroom is always busy. Her students interact with each other like they were native-born Spanish speakers.”

According to Crawford, “Señora Cango was always accessible during remote learning and her remote classes were always well-attended. Her diligence ensured that her students were able to re-enter school and maintain their language skills.”

Q: What inspired you to become an educator?

A: I became an educator because I think it’s one of the most important professions due to the impact I can make on my students and their families.

Q: What’s your teaching/leadership style?

A: I’m a hands-on teacher, I believe this style of teaching is the best for students to learn. As for leadership, I believe in setting an example for my students and treating everyone fairly with respect. It could be called the facilitator style. I like to be the bridge for students to build their own learning.

Q: Do you have a classroom motto or philosophy you abide by? Why?

A: My motto is for my kids to never give up and that they can achieve anything they set themselves to accomplish. If they learn this from a young age, I think it will be easier for them to face the daily problems of life. I always try to begin the day with motivational quotes for my students to repeat out loud in order to believe in themselves and have a positive attitude.

Q: What’s your favorite part about every day?

A: The best part about every day is seeing the impact I’m making on my students and seeing them use what I taught them in life. Of course, I can’t leave out the hugs and the love I receive every day.

Q: What’s your most memorable moment as an educator?

A: My most memorable moment was being selected as Teacher of the Year by the school staff. This was a huge achievement because it felt like my peers acknowledged my hard work and passion for what I do.

Ms. Cango wants her students to know she will “always be there” for you and she’ll “do everything in her power” to help you succeed in life.

Thank you so much to Sandra Cango for your dedication to High Point’s students. Congratulations on being selected as your school’s 2021 Extraordinary Educator!

To find out more about High Point Schools Partnership and our work, please visit our Facebook page and check out our page on Guilford Education Alliance’s website.

Article written by High Point Schools Partnership Staff

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