3 minute read
Jennifer Bonn
Cobb Highlights KMHS Principal
Board Chair Randy Scamihorn recently talked with Kennesaw Mountain High School Principal Nathan Stark about the challenges of running and maintaining a high school, in a video uploaded to YouTube.
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Stark is a Wheeler High School and Kennesaw State University graduate. He received his master’s degree from Troy University and his specialist degree from West Georgia University. He has worked for Cobb County Schools for 20 years, and has been an administrator for the last 10 years.
As principal at Kennesaw Mountain, Stark recognizes there are many individuals and groups involved in the school. With almost 2,000 students and 180 staff (not to mention parents), his job is similar to being a small-town mayor. There are many behind-the-scenes responsibilities for a school principal to keep all of these moving parts operating smoothly.
To learn more about the daily life of this high school principal, watch the video at https://bit.ly/3CHcAuV.
Cobb Seniors Among National Merit Semifinalists
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced the names of semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. In Cobb County, 69 students from the school district made the semifinalist list, including six students from Kennesaw-area high schools. Cobb schools with semifinalists include, Campbell, Harrison, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mountain, Lassiter, Pope, Sprayberry, Walton and Wheeler.
Harrison High National Merit Semifinalist
Andrew Hendershot
Noah E. Flanagan
Soumit Guntupalli
Ryan R. McKee
Dandre O. Varela
Paige M. Woodham
Approximately 95% of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalists standing this year, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship. To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, and the semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school.
5 Ways to Learn to Listen More
BY JENNIFER BONN
I do my best to keep an open mind, understand other opinions and not judge, but there have been moments I have had difficulty understanding certain actions or opinions. I believe we often act and make decisions out of our own self-interest, but the other reason for a disconnect is when we are not really listening. Here are five ways to listen more. 1. Listen to your family. I am guilty of multitasking when my children are talking to me, and I have learned to focus more when they are speaking. I learned this lesson after an incident one of my daughters had in school. She began complaining about one of her teachers, but I was only half-listening, until things escalated. After a conversation with her main teacher, we learned other students were having similar issues. We removed her from that particular class, but I felt so guilty that I had not listened to what she was trying to tell me. I realized how important it is to listen to your children and family. 2. Listen to the experts. Due to the craziness on social media, we have become deaf to messages from experts. Even experts can send mixed messages, but we should always listen to messages that will keep us safe. 3. Listen to understand differences. Whether it is because of prior beliefs or fear, we often judge others based on appearance, race, religion, gender or nationality. If we fully listen, without judgment, we could better understand those who are different from us. 4. Listen to your body. Your body will tell you when something is not in balance, so watch for the clues. Listen to friends and family if they notice changes in you; we can be so busy sometimes that we do not notice. 5. Listen to common sense. Common sense is that inner voice that tells you something is right or wrong, based on facts. Do not refuse to listen to your inner voice. Remember to listen to it, even if it is telling you to do something other than what you were hoping to do.
Jennifer Bonn is a freelance writer in Kennesaw and a recently retired 40-year educator. Her book, “101 Tips to Lighten Your Burden,” was recently released and is available on Amazon.
