2014 Fall Conference Award Bios

THE GEORGIA ASSOCIATION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS

2014 FALL CONFERENCE AWARDS RECIPIENTS

SPONSORED BY VALIC

NOVEMBER 17, 2014 AT THE SAVANNAH RIVERFRONT MARRIOTT HOTEL

2014 NAESP NATIONAL DISTINGUISHED MIDDLE LEVEL PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Dr. Ardith Bates, Gladden Middle School (Murray County)

Dr. Bates is currently the President of GAMSP and a member of the GAEL Board of Directors. She has received numerous awards over the years including the GAEL Outstanding Educator Award, Georgia Distinguished Principal, and the Mike Campbell Leadership Award. Gladden Middle School is a Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch and a GAMSP Effective Middle School Program School. She was honored in Washington, DC in October by NAESP and the US Department of Education as a National Distinguished Principal joining colleagues from across our 50 states for this honor. This is her 26th year as an educator.

2014 NAESP NATIONAL OUTSTANDING MIDDLE LEVEL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Leslie Scarboro, Needwood Middle School (Glynn County)

In 2010, Leslie began her current position as assistant principal at Needwood Middle School. In this capacity, Leslie has been instrumental in implementing the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports program. As a result, Needwood Middle School was named as an “Operational” school for PBIS in 2012; one of only two schools in Glynn County to receive the recognition, and one of only 75 schools in the state. In 2013, Leslie was named as the GAMSP Outstanding Assistant Principal for District 12, and this past spring, she was named as the NAESP National Outstanding Assistant Principal for the state of Georgia. Leslie began her career in education in 1995 and was also named Teacher of the Year at Wayne County High School.

2014 DR. JOHN LOUNSBURY AWARD

Ricky Rentz, Assistant Superintendent, Glynn County School System

Ricky Rentz is truly one of the state's most ardent supporters of middle level education. Ricky began his career in education in 1980 and has served as a teacher, athletic director and athletic coach, assistant principal, and principal at both the high school and middle school levels. As a middle school principal his schools received many honors and designations at the state level. Ricky has served as GAMSP President as well as a member of the GAEL Board of Directors. He is a recipient of the Mike Campbell Leadership Award and the GAEL Outstanding Educator Award.

2014 REID MULLINS SERVICE AWARD

Lori Joiner, Risley Middle School (Glynn County Schools), District 6

Lori Joiner is a third year principal at Risley Middle School. She is a member of the GAMSP Executive Board and also serves as our NAESP State Director. Because of her efforts this year, the GAMSP membership has grown and our conference attendees have increased.

2014 GAMSP JERRY DAVIS EMERGING LEADER AWARD

Calandra Holmes, Atkinson County Middle School (Atkinson County), District 7

During her 17 years in Atkinson County, she has served as a teacher, Instructional Coach, Testing Coordinator, and school counselor at both the elementary and middle school levels. This year marks her first year as Assistant Principal at Atkinson County Middle School. Ms. Holmes is very involved in her community, by working with such projects as Atkinson County Youth Development Program, Second Harvest Food Bank, Family Connections and the C.L. Rawls Scholarship Committee.

2014 GAMSP GEORGIA DISTINGUISHED PRINCIPAL AWARD

Melanie Sigler, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School (Clarke County) District 2

Melanie Sigler has been a teacher and an administrator in Georgia since 1990. She is currently in her seventh year as principal at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School in Athens. Her school's population is very diverse and is 93% free and reduced lunch. Students represent 26 different countries and at least four different languages are spoken at BHL MS. During her time as principal at Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School, the culture has evolved from one of compliance to one that is characterized by ownership. She is often asked what it is that we are doing to improve student achievement at BHL. Becoming an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, implementing data teams, receiving the Striving Readers’ grant and embracing the 1:1 technology initiative are certainly important contributions that have improved the quality of our teaching and conversations about instruction.

Michael Johnson, Evans Middle School (Columbia County) District 3

Michael Johnson has been in K-12 education for 21 years as a teacher, athletic coach, and administrator. He has received the Mike Campbell Exemplary Leadership Award and was selected as the Sego Middle School Teacher of the Year in 1997-98. While at Evans Middle School his school made AYP each year under his leadership. Evans also earned the GAMSP Effective Middle School Program Award, the GASSP Breakout School Award, and received the 2008-09 Gold Award from the Governor's Office for Highest Gains on the CRCT. He has served for numerous years on the GAMSP Board of Directors. Recently, he was named principal at Evans High School.

Bruce Tidaback, Bay Springs Middle School (Carroll County) District 13

Bruce has enjoyed many accomplishments as a school administrator over the years including: took Bay Springs Middle School from being a NI school under NCLB to being named a 2014 Title I High Progress School for improving the performance of the “all students” group over three years on the statewide assessments, having two teachers earn Master Teacher Certification for the state of Georgia, oversaw a 36 point rise in the meets/exceeds category for 8th grade students on the Georgia Writing Assessment at BSMS, promoting leadership by having seven of his former teachers become school and/or district level administrators. He is a US Navy and Desert Storm veteran.

Sandy Tinsley, South Forsyth Middle School (Forsyth County) District 14

A large part of the success at South Forsyth Middle School can be accredited to Ms. Tinsley’s vision to add study skills courses that teach students how to become better learners. Over the past six years, SFMS has been teaching students a variety of learning strategies using the Strategic Instruction Model from the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. These strategies help students understand and solve problems by having a systematic approach to learning, providing a pathway for students to be more active in the learning process. South Forsyth was named a National Blue Ribbon School this year, one of two Georgia middle schools to gain this distinction.

2014 GAMSP GEORGIA OUTSTANDING ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AWARD

Dr. Kelly Sigman, Risley Middle School (Glynn County) District 6

Dr. Sigman is a third year Assistant Principal at Risley Middle School. Kelly has put a great deal of work in a bullying protocol for their school and it has been recognized by the Georgia DOE.

Dustin Dykes, Thomson Middle School (Houston County) District 11

Dusty Dykes' two significant contributions to Thomson Middle School as an assistant principal have been to improve student achievement and student behavior. His first task was to analyze test data of students and have courageous conversations with staff members in forming professional learning communities to improve student achievement. Second, he served on an anti-bullying committee in the Houston County School System and helped implement the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Program district wide. Both areas have shown significant improvement at Thomson. Dusty began his educational career in 2002. He is a member of the GAMSP Board of Directors and a John Yates Scholarship recipient.

Cheryl Riddle, Little Mill Middle School (Forsyth County) District 14

Cheryl Riddle has served as the assistant principal of North Forsyth Middle School (2007-2009) and most recently as the assistant principal of Little Mill Middle School (2009-present). During her tenure at Little Mill, Mrs. Riddle’s school has been named as a Title I Reward School three different years (2011, 2013, 2014) and as a Title I Distinguished School twice (2011, 2012). In 2011, Little Mill was also honored by SSTAGE with the Secondary Schools Star Award for Promising Practices. Most recently, Mrs. Riddle has been named as the SSTAGE President Elect.

Elizabeth Blackmon, Sweetwater Middle School (Gwinnett County) District 14

Elizabeth Blackmon has served as an assistant principal at Sweetwater Middle School in Gwinnett County since 2011. She has been in education for 20 years serving as a teacher, literacy coach, and assistant principal all in the same school. For the past three years, she has led the language arts department in transitioning to common core by training teachers on the new standards, implementing close reading strategies, and designing a new writing program. For the 2014 CRCT, Sweetwater Middle had a 7% increase in the percent of students exceeding reading standards.

Nathan Ridley, Gladden Middle School (Murray County)District 16

Nathan Ridley has served on the GAMSP Board of Directors for the past two years. He has been in education for 20 years serving as a teacher, athletic coach, and assistant principal. He also handles the athletic director duties at Gladden.

2014 GAMSP MIKE CAMPBELL EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP AWARD

Bill Zadernak, Principal, Riverview Middle School (Dawson County) District 1

Bill Zadernak has been an educator for over 30 years. He has worked in Dawson County since 1988. He became an administrator in 2000 and a principal since 2004. The last 6 years at Riverview Middle School. For the past 12 years, he has served the North Georgia Mountain Region as athletic director and is currently serving as president. He has presented at multiple state and national educational conferences and taught M.Ed. leadership classes at Georgia State University.

Dr. Angela Smith, Principal, Wilkinson County Middle School (Wilkinson County) District 4

Dr. Angela M. Smith has been in education in Wilkinson County for 24 years. She has been an English teacher, alternative school director, and assistant principal. She has been principal of Wilkinson County Middle School for the past four years. . Under her leadership the school was a Title I Distinguished School for two consecutive years, and was recognized nationally as a High Flying School. She has worked to develop partnerships with the community and the school to increase academic achievement.

Dr. Derald Jones, Principal, Lowndes Middle School (Lowndes County) District 8

This is Dr. Derald Jones' 5th year as principal of Lowndes Middle School after previously serving as director of an Alternative School. Additionally, he served 5 years as an assistant principal at another middle school and 4 years at an elementary school. During his tenure at Lowndes Middle School, administrative discipline referrals have dropped over 60% and the school has experienced tremendous improvement in every area of academic student achievement.

Kelli Duke, Principal, Lee County Middle School East (Lee County) District 9

Kelli Duke has been in education for 19 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal at the middle and high school levels. When Lee County Middle School split into two campuses in 2012, she was named the principal at the Lee County Middle School East Campus. Lee County Middle School East is a Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch.

John Savalle, Principal, Lee County Middle School West (Lee County) District 9

John Savalle has been in education since 1998 serving as a high school special education teacher, a Mindset Instructor, and an assistant principal before becoming principal at Lee County Middle School West Campus. At Lee County High School he led the implementation of the Community-Based Vocational Instruction program in an effort to increase post school employability outcomes for students with disabilities. Lee County Middle School West is a Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch.

Julie Harrelson, Superintendent, Dooly County Schools, District 10

Julie Harrelson has been involved in K-12 education since 1992. She has served as an elementary school teacher, a special education director, a Title I Coordinator, and assistant superintendent. She was recently named the superintendent of Dooly County Schools and is a member of the GAMSP Board of Directors.

Rhonda Gulley, Principal, Upson Lee Middle School (Upson County) District 12

Rhonda has taken an interest in her community and how her school can impact the community. She has invited groups within the community to become part of the school climate by reestablishing the Partners in Education (PIE) program. She weaves her school into the community so that the community can see they have a middle school to be proud of. Mrs. Gulley promotes the accolades of the middle school and never passes on an opportunity to brag on what her middle school has going on this week and what the school is doing for their students. This is a comment from a parent.

Dr. Earlene Crump, Principal, Eagle’s Landing Middle School (Henry County) District 12

Dr. Earlene Crump has served in the middle school arena for the past 22 years. During this time she’s served as a drama, science, television production, mathematics and business education teacher, Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS), Assistant Principal (AP), and Principal. She implemented Project-Based Service Learning (PBL) initiatives which help the students to truly become critical thinkers and problem solvers of tomorrow who will be able to navigate a complex and dynamic world.

Connie Stovall, Principal, Liberty Middle School (Forsyth County) District 14

Connie Stovall has been a middle school educator for 24 years. While in the classroom, she taught in six different school districts and taught every academic subject. In 2003, she was named to her first leadership position at North Forsyth Middle School, was transferred to Piney Grove Middle School in 2007, and was appointed Principal of Liberty Middle School in 2008. Under Mrs. Stovall’s leadership, Liberty Middle School has earned the titles of 2011 Distinguished Breakout Middle School (awarded by GASSP) and the 2013-16 Effective Middle School Program Award (awarded by GAMSP). Liberty is also home to the 2012 Metro Region Team of the Year (awarded by GMSA) and the 2013 Georgia Outstanding Middle School Assistant Principal (awarded by GAMSP) and the 2013 National Outstanding Middle School Assistant Principal (awarded by NAESP). Mrs. Stovall was also recognized as a 2013 Georgia Distinguished Principal.

2014 GAMSP EFFECTIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM AWARD

Riverview Middle School (Dawson County), Bill Zadernak, Principal, District 1

Previous data that supports the continued academic success at Riverview Middle School is astounding. Last spring alone, 60% of the 2014 CRCT content areas tested had cumulative scores of more than 50% exceeding the standard with a student population, which hovers consistently around 50% free and reduced. 2013 CCRPI score revealed an 87.3, which is approximately 12 points higher than the Georgia middle school average score. This data is a reflection of the collaboration and communication among the parents, teachers, staff, and the community involved at Riverview Middle School.

Evans Middle School (Richmond County), Michael Johnson, Principal, District 3

Evans Middle School has become one of the model STEM programs for middle schools in our state. Under Principal Michael Johnson, the school has shown significant improvement in student achievement since he became principal in 2006 and was a recipient of the Governor’s Gold Award for improved student achievement.

Stallings Island Middle School (Columbia County), Don Putnam, Principal, District 3

Stallings Island Middle School was established in the fall of 2008. From the start the leadership philosophy has been a shared leadership model. As a school we knew that by joining together we could accomplish more than we could do alone. In our school the shared vision focuses on improving student achievement – what is best for our students and for continued student learning. Stallings Island Middle School, one of 25 middle schools in the nation, has been designated a National Blue Ribbon School for 2014.

Bleckley County Middle School (Bleckley County), Michele Dyal, Principal, District 5

Risley Middle School (Glynn County), Lori Joiner, Principal, District 6

In the second year after it opened, Risley Middle School went through an extensive school improvement process starting in the spring of 2013. The process involved the students, parents, staff and district. This hard work defined what they like to call “the Risley Difference.” Risley Middle plans maintain that momentum of building excellence by applying for a Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch in the spring of 2015.

Lee County Middle School East Campus (Lee County), Kelli Duke, Principal, District 9

LCMS was originally designated as a Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch in 2007. Since that time, the middle school achieved re-designation in 2010 and again in 2013. Because the faculty and student body were split into two middle schools the year following the most recent re-designation visit, both middle schools were awarded this honor for the years 2013-2016. The schools share this distinction with only 18 other middle schools in the state.

Lee County Middle School West Campus (Lee County), John Savalle, Principal, District 9

Lee County Middle School West is a Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch. LCMSW has a fully operational Positive Behavior Intervention Support program in place. The PBIS program has been in place since 2007. Through the PBIS program or “ROCK” plan, socially appropriate behaviors are taught and reinforced and specific interventions are developed to target unwanted behavior.

Upson Lee Middle School (Upson County), Rhonda Gulley, Principal, District 12

Upson- Lee Middle School prides its self in being a designated school by National Forum School to Watch. It was first named a Georgia Lighthouse School to Watch school in 2005 and has been re-designated now three times in 2008, 2011 and 2014 and was named a Title I Reward School for 2014.

Heard County Middle School (Heard County) Mike Roberts, Principal, District 13

The leadership team at Heard Middle contributes their success to adhering closely to the middle school model concepts. The faculty understands and values the middle school child. They believe all students can learn. They also recognize that some students need more time to learn at high levels than others. Varied and ongoing unit assessments are used pervasively throughout the school in order to adjust instruction, remediate, and re-teach students. Teachers can often been found pulling students during their planning periods or after school in order to help them achieve mastery of the standards. This whatever-it-takes attitude coupled with the very detailed data on student progress has been the key to the success of Heard County Middle School. With a free and reduced rate of over 75% the school had the highest CCRPI score of any middle school in the West Georgia RESA district.

South Forsyth Middle School (Forsyth County), Sandy Tinsley, Principal, District 14

Ms. Tinsley encourages her staff to meet the needs of students by sponsoring extra-curricular clubs. Under her direction, SFMS increased extra-curricular opportunities from a limited number of options to over 25 clubs in which students learn new skills, serve their community, and gain friends with like interests. Ms. Tinsley is proud to say that this year SFMS has added HOSA, DECA, FBLA and TSA associations as extra-curricular opportunities. These organizations provide students the ability to expand their knowledge, experience, and leadership capabilities. At SFMS, students shine whether it is in class, in a club or organization, or through participation in a sport or academic team which help to make the school a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

Little Mill Middle School (Forsyth County) Connie McCrary, Principal, District 14

Little Mill has received numerous awards over the past few years due to collaborative leadership. Most recently the school was named a two time Title I Distinguished School and a Title I Reward School. The school has an outstanding RTI process that has been recognized by SSTAGE. Through the efforts of its staff’s focus on positive student behavior, office referrals were reduced by 59%.

Rome Middle School (Rome City), Greg Christian, Principal, District 15

Greg Christian is serving in his eighth year as principal at Rome Middle School. The school received the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement Silver Award in 2007 and again in 2008. RMS was awarded the School of Excellence award in 2009. RMS has been a Title I Distinguished School for 3 consecutive years. Rome Middle School has an outstanding faculty and tremendous central office support.

2014 GAMSP EDUCATIONAL PATRON AWARD

Fatz Café, Chris Green, Evans Middle School (Richmond County), District 3

Mr. Green of Fatz Café is a resourceful and upbeat business partner who has the ability to positively impact those around them. He is available to assist our school whenever needed, often on short notice. He makes sure we receive donations for our teachers when the need arises especially during the year when incentives and moral boosters are a must.

Larry’s Giant Subs, Risley Middle School (Glynn County), District 6

Lonnie Morales from Larry’s Giant Subs has given countless contributions to Risley Middle School and the Glynn County School System. Lonnie Morales provides support through its people, product and financial gifts. Larry’s is a true partner in education and we feel so fortunate to have them in our community.

The Ink Spot, Tina Beckman, Feagin Mill Middle School (Houston County) District 11

The Ink Spot opened August 1, 1994 in a small 800 sq. ft. building. Our business has grown tremendously since 1994. We have a staff of 7 full time employees in our current 4,000 square foot facility. We are members of the Better Business Bureau. We also try to help our local community through sponsorships and donations- especially for our local schools. We became a corporation in 2008 and last but not least, we were very proud to receive the Best of the Best award for screen printing in middle Georgia.

Northside Hospital, Sheila Perkins, Liberty Middle School (Forsyth County) District 14

Each year, Northside’s Volunteer and Foundation Coordinator visits Liberty Middle School and sits with our administrative staff to go through the needs of our school. One of the biggest needs that Northside has consistently assisted us with is our school clinic. Over the past seven years, they have supplied us with equipment and with general supplies. Additionally they help us in funding awards programs for our students. Without their support, these award programs would not be possible. So often, schools have short-term partners in education. These days a long-term and lasting relationship between a business and a school is a rarity. Northside Hospital has been a continuous partner to Liberty Middle School and Forsyth County Schools for many years. For all of the things that Northside does for our school and our school district, we recognize them with the Education Patron Award.

Saucey Bones BBQ, Jason Ledford, Chatsworth Middle School (Murray County) District 16

Saucey Bones Barbeque is a restaurant located in Chatsworth, Georgia owned and operated by Mr. Jason Ledford. Their specialty menu items include pork sandwiches, loaded baked potatoes, and smoked chicken. As a business partner to Gladden Middle School, they assist with school fundraising by hosting a school sponsored night where a portion of all the proceeds are given back to the school, and they offer gift certificates to the school to sale as a fundraiser. In the dining room of the restaurant, a television is displayed with a DVD playing various academic photos of students taken throughout the Murray County School System. In addition, Saucey Bones works with the Murray County School System to cater many events including meetings, athletic banquets, and special programs. Saucey Bones gives back to the Murray County School System employees by offering a 10% discount on all purchases. Saucey Bones is a locally owned business and is a Partner In Education with Gladden Middle School as well as other Murray County Schools.