VALDOSTA —
Great things are ahead for the Lowndes County School System and that was reflected Thursday during the system’s convocation where nearly 1,500 teachers, faculty and staff attended and listened to messages of inspiration, faith, humor but, most of all, support.
“It’s important for all of us to come together as one school system,” said new Lowndes County Schools Superintendent Wes Taylor.
Even though school doesn’t start until Wednesday, Aug. 8, improvements within the system are already apparent and it starts from the top with the central office and down through the teachers in each school. Taylor delivered a message of cohesiveness and commitment that appeared to resonate with the receptive crowd of educators who nodded their heads in apparent agreement.
“Our greatest resource is our human capital,” said Taylor. “We are one Lowndes. We are all in this together.”
Taylor told the teachers that they have incredible positions of influence which touch the lives of students everyday.
“Sometimes years go by before your work is appreciated,” said Taylor. “Teaching is an act of faith.”
Everyday, teachers must have faith in their ability to communicate, faith in a child’s ability to learn and faith that the work they do will one day greatly impact the outcome of a child’s life.
“We should teach every child the way we want our own child to be taught,” said Taylor.
The superintendent said a central tenet to teaching is the ability to communicate and parallel to that is the ability to listen.
“We got to listen to them,” Taylor told the teachers.
Taylor recalled his school teachers, ones who impacted his life. He said that one day, there will be students who recall Lowndes County teachers that led them to a path of success.
“Everyday, your students are watching you,” said Taylor. “Our work is about transforming lives.”
Taylor acknowledged the economy and the daily attacks to public education. He knows that the changes are great, that the work is hard and at the end of the day, it’s not just about the test scores.
“Test scores are not the sole factor in determining success,” said Taylor. “At the end of the day, what’s important is what our students know and what they can do.”
Establishing objectives, setting goals and achievement surrounded by support was a very strong message at the convocation. Guest speaker Lisa Spain with Josten’s — a company that produces caps and gowns, yearbooks and class rings — spoke about the Commitment to Graduate, an initiative that she authored.
“It takes a village,” said Spain. “It takes all of us to get these kids to graduate.”
Success is found through support. Spain told teachers they need to identify their first-generation high school graduates and kids who will be the first in their families to attend college.
“I had a parent to believe in me, but some of your students don’t have that parent,” said Spain.
She encouraged teachers to connect with their students.
“Anything it is, we got to find a way to connect to them,” said Spain. “Students don’t give a flip what we’re teaching if we’re not connected to them.”
Student success is dependent on a teacher’s genuine ability to educate and to care.
“These children know down to the core if you’re telling the truth,” said Spain.
Spain stated that teachers have to open a student’s eyes to the “when” in life and not the “ifs.” It shouldn’t be “if I graduate” or “if I go to college” but “when I graduate” and “when I go to college. Learning is relevant to the opportunities and doors that will open in life,” said Spain.
The two-hour convocation was full of inspiration, hope, understanding and even humor. Not only was it representative of the start of a new school year, but the beginning of a better and more successful Lowndes under the leadership of Taylor.
“I encourage you to remember that each of you are merchants of hope and points of light for your students.”
Local News
Related Photos
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Brittany D. McClure | The Valdosta Daily Times Lowndes County Schools Superintendent Wes Taylor addresses nearly 1,500 faculty and staff members attending Thursday’s convocation.
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Brittany D. McClure | The Valdosta Daily Times Lowndes County Schools hosted its annual convocation Thursday at Lowndes High School. It marked Wes Taylor’s first convocation as Lowndes County’s new superintendent.
Discussion
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