Denita Dowell Reavis
State Superintendent Mo Green wrapped up a tour of middle schools from across the state on Thursday at East Alexander Middle School. Greeted by a thunderous band piece, cheerleaders with pom-poms and an inspirational chorus performance, the tour groups then visited several classrooms. East Alexander received funds last June from the Golden Leaf Schools Initiative. Fifteen schools are part of the organization’s $25 million dollars investment to improve school performance “through innovative educational strategies with a focus on mathematics and career development” according to the Golden Leaf website.
At East, the first year has focused on teaching training and changing the culture at the school. The state labeled East low-performing for not meeting expected growth for three consecutive years. Green commended district and school leaders at East for the progress so far.
“I appreciate all that everybody is doing to have our school system here and across the state believe in a vision that is maybe something we can’t quite see, but we can reach for it and continue to work,” said Green.
East principal Lee Swanson said the East teachers “love our kids. They invest in our kids.”
He added a key is for teachers to buy in to changes ahead.
“Let’s put our best effort forward and Golden Leaf is helping us do that.”
Two student guides who toured with Green addressed the group. Eighth-grader Hudson Houser said the biggest difference is the culture at East.
“We’re more strict in classes. We actually learn and stuff like it’s just a bunch better than from the first of the year last year. And it just feels better like you’re learning a lot more this year,” said Houser.
The other student guide for Green, eighth-grader Felix Yang, echoed his classmate.
“I feel more comfortable. I feel like I can learn a lot. I can be myself.” Yang added the change in expectations for students has made a difference.
“Kids used to blurt out a lot and try to be funny. Now at this school they make them realize how important school is and how it can affect your life,” said Yang.
ACS Superintendent Dr. Bill Griffin told the tour groups, East is not perfect but is moving in the right direction.
“I’m extremely proud of what we have done thus far and I believe we are going to continue to excel for years to come. And I hope that is our legacy,” said Griffin.
With the grant comes training in Robert Marzano’s High Reliability Schools (HRS) Framework. The training means focusing on the atmosphere and energy in the building in the first year. Next year, the staff and students will concentrate on high-quality instruction.
The Golden Leaf funding is intended to help rural and economically distressed areas. The foundation made the commitment to areas that were once tobacco dependent.
“Our board has seen the importance of starting earlier, trying to make sure that the students get a good education that have the skills that allow them to take advantage of the jobs that are available,” said Golden Leaf Senior Vice President Ted Lord.
State Superintendent Green Absorbs The Learning At East Alexander
“I get a great vibe about the trajectory, in part, because as I understand it under new leadership at the school has caused the students, faculty and staff to buy in to what can be at this middle school,” said Green.
Green conducted a listening tour after his election and set a strategic goal for North Carolina Schools to be the Best in the Nation. He thanked Golden Leaf, legislative partners, and his predecessor Catherine Truitt for focusing on continued improvement.
The Golden Leaf grant amounts to about $1.6 million dollars over five years in teacher training for East.