A new campus and a New Vision

from Summer 2019 Apex/Holly Springs

by Bee Shining Media Group

919 | UPFRONT

A NEW CAMPUS & A NEW VISION

By G. CLEVELAND KILGORE

919 Magazine Writer

919 Magazine Photos by Catherine Davis

Green Level High’s Principal Strives For Inviting, Inclusive Environment

It’s a new campus, and a new vision for high school – an inviting, inclusive environment, recognizing the importance of positivity, and creating a culture that values relationships as much as the content imparted to students.

And it’s in Cary, but serving a wide swath of fast-growing Western Wake County along the I-540 Corridor.

New Green Level High Principal Karen Summers believes in creating a school that is equitable, inclusive and culturally responsive to students – a creed she worked on previously as Principal at Green Hope High and Davis Drive Middle schools.

“We believe in everyone receiving what they need to be successful and everyone becoming part of the school community,” said Summers, who moved to the 919 from Atlanta, and now resides in Chapel Hill. “And we believe in everyone striving to understand and respond to different cultural contexts.”

GREEN LEVEL HIGH

YEAR OPENED: 2019

DISTRICT:

WCPSS

PRINCIPAL:

Karen Summers

ASST PRINCIPAL:

Justin Carrington

MASCOT:

Gators

DESCRIPTION:

4-story, 2262-student capacity

FIRST DAY:

Aug 26

MEET TEACHERS:

Sep 11

PHONE:

919-694-8222

ADDRESS:

7600 Roberts Rd, Cary

SCHOOL HOURS:

7:25 am-2:18 pm

Summers’ finely tuned personal philosophy came from her father, who died three years ago from cancer. “From an early age, my father shared with all five of his children (I am the youngest, with four older brothers) that relationships are key to life, to always treat people well, and that it is a small world and what goes around comes around,” she said.

Her father also advised her that whatever she does, do it well – and always take pride in her work, Summers said. “My father was brave to share with us the mistakes he made in his life and did not want us to repeat his poor choices. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, he said to always be happy.”

Acknowledging that it’s difficult to change schools, -- because she will miss the students, staff and families, Summers said she has a growth mindset and continuously seeks new challenges and opportunities for professional growth. “Building and sustaining relationships are key in life” she said. All our lives are safe by our own experiences. Therefore, we must take a risk by learning something new, practice active listening and seek to understand others’ perspectives –

‘Our goal is for students to self discover their strengths and foster the realization of their true potential.’ and remember quality is more important than quantity.”

KAREN SUMMERS Principal, Green Level High

KAREN SUMMERS PROFILE

POSITION:

Principal, Green Level High (Cary) AGE: 52 HOMETOWN: Atlanta RESIDENCE: Chapel Hill PREVIOUS POSITION:

Principal, Green Hope High (Cary); Principal, Davis Drive Middle (Cary)

EDUCATION: University of Georgia, Masters of Education; University of North Florida, Bachelor of Arts in Special Education-Emotionally Handicapped

FAMILY:

Husband, Pete; daughters, Emma and Hannah

INTERESTS: Cooking

In addition to Green Level High in Cary, Alston Ridge Middle in Cary, Parkside Elementary in Morrisville and Southeast Raleigh Elementary are also opening in WCPSS this year – and Apex High moves into its renovated campus.

Summers said it’s important to meet the challenges faced by educators today. “As educators, it is essential for us to understand Generation Z by intentionally structuring opportunities for students to connect within school, reflect and understand their own and each other’s strengths,” she said. “Our goals for students is to self-discover their strengths and foster the realization of their true potential.” Simply put, she said: “We want students to be happy and healthy.”

This article is from:

Summer 2019 Apex/Holly Springs