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IMPACT DETROIT
June/July Issue 2013
A SUSAN JONES PUBLICATION
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Bouchet International School The Elementary School of Champions By Susan Jones
Although, First Lady Michelle Obama attended Bryn Mawr Elementary School (now named Bouchet International School) some years ago; Principal Kim Angela Murph-Sims still gets quizzed by the media. But, just not as much anymore. She exclaims, “Really Susan, it has been rather quiet. I was bombarded with questions from reporters during the first election period of President Barack Obama. People and reporters worldwide were genuinely interested in Michell Obama’s early school years. I had to constantly explain (Lol) to foreign reporters that I was of course not the principal at the time that First Lady Obama attended Bouchet. Now, all the media excitement has subsided, but anytime visitors come to the school; they are still in awe that First Lady attended the neighborhood school Bouchet.” As we were touring the school, I noticed the original kindergarten class picture of First Lady Obama prominently displayed next to other student class pictures. I had to smile because she looked just like Sasha! Looking at distinctly different class pictures, I began to wonder which students were leaders and most likely to succeed in their class and who among this group of students have the potential to grow-up to be a Michelle Obama. 62
Principal, Kim Murph-Sims
Principal Sims feels honored to be principal of the school that our first lady attended. She said, “I believe the entire Bouchet School community, is extremely proud that Bouchet produced a Harvard Graduate and a First Lady of the United States of America. I feel she is truly a sublime role model for all of our students.” Mrs. Sims explains, “Bouchet International is a school confronted with many challenges and concerns, particularly those associated with being located in an inner-city neighborhood, such as; funding, violence, and
First Lady Michelle Obama seated second from the right on the 3rd row in her kindergarten class at Bryn Mawr School in South Shore. Photo source: A very young Dr. Theodore Ford who is pictured second the left in the back row.
Principal Kim Angela Murph Sims socio-economics. However, in the midst of the challenges you can always find bright sparkles of light. Michelle Obama is truly one of Bouchet’s sparkles.” As I walked the halls of the school with Principal Sims and visited the classrooms, you could see many more bright sparkles. “Our students are moving from dreaming to believing that they can and will achieve. I have always embedded this point into the minds of all of my students.” said Principal Sims. It appears she has the best of both worlds; an opportunity to witness and partake in a historical election and opportunities to use a human strategy as a hooking technique to motivate students to learn. You guessed it! First Lady Michelle Obama is Principal Sims’ human strategy, inspiring students to want to learn. Mrs Sims it has been my pleasure interviewing you. You have inspired me to pursue one of my greatest dreams, i.e., To interview First Lady Michelle Obama. Impact Detroit Magazine wants you to discover more about Principal Sims on the next page!
First Lady Michelle Obama
Principal Kim Angela Murph-Sims
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Singapore Math, lesson study
Principal Sims is a true educator. Her excitement about her students’ overall achievements, is refreshing.
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Horizontal and vertical articulation of curriculum using a trans-disciplinary approach
~ Susan Jones ~
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Parent University workshops
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Creative Curriculum for Preschool
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Garden Room Bridging Science and Agricultural Awareness
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Energiza Bulls Fitness Center (Chicago Bulls grant)
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Check and Connect (Attendance Incentives Program)
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Chinese Kite Making
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World language studies in Spanish
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An Art Link Program that includes video conferencing with students in other countries
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Children’s Literacy Initiative
Kim Angela Sims, has been a devout
educator for over thirty years serving in many leadership roles, too many to name. On a lighter side Principal Sims has earned several alias due to her dedication and hard work such as: Kim Possible, The Incomparable Mrs. Sims and one of Charlie's Angles. Her vast experience in education has been skillfully crafted into in-depth curriculum development and implementation, data analysis that strategically drives instruction and her enduring commitment to helping all students attain their personal best which has been the cornerstones of her ongoing success. If you ask her why she does what she does, her answer is always about the children that she seeks to serve and her dedication to making a lasting impact on student learning. To this end, as an administrator she has mentored more than 300 teachers, overseen a truly diverse staff, facilitated professional development specifically designed to close the achievement gap between struggling students and the realization that they can overcome tremendous obstacles with a voracious tenacity and hunger for life-long learning. Principal Sims has a visible presence in her school, of approximately 800 students, where she is a firm but fair disciplinarian who makes sure that all children feel safe both physically and in their ability to be risk-takers in their learning. Always a teacher at heart, it is not uncommon to see Mrs. Sims become an active participant in classroom lessons, often asking students questions to stimulate their divergent thinking. In fact, she always challenges students to push their thinking, become investigative action researchers who engage in social issue discussions about global concerns, inquiry about topics they begin in school and continue beyond the confines of the school day. With an energy that enables her to walk three flights of stairs between the two multilevel buildings and the one level Preschool building on the school campus that covers an entire city block, Principal Sims is acknowledged as a force to be seen in action. In her endeavors as an administrator, with the support of her entire staff, Mrs. Sims has also brought and sustained a wide variety of programs and initiatives at Bouchet such as: •
Academic Olympics
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Young Authors Competition
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Principal Sims in Action
Principal Sims is a true advocate for building and sustaining home, school and community relationships that are the foundation of school-wide development. She views these interactions as essential in ensuring that effective change at the grassroots level takes place by supporting school-wide and community development that considers the perspectives of all stakeholders. Along these lines she has worked diligently with the Black United Fund of Illinois (BUFI), Fulfilling Our Responsibility Unto Mankind (FORUM), RALD Institute, Allstate Insurance Co., and many education advocacy groups who support the school in providing outreach programs. During her tenure at Bouchet, Principal Sims has done an outstanding job in brining ideas and innovation to life, recognizing and nurturing creative potential, and refining
Principal Sims and the TopTen Graduates of 2013
the artistry of teaching and learning for the entire school community. Student growth has increased by double digits on standardized tests. Under her direction, the school has been transformed from a math and science academy to Bouchet International Academy that includes more global perspectives in education. With this shift in the Another fun day school’s academic focus Bouchet is presently in its candidacy phase to become authorized as and International Baccalaureate World School that provides a Primary Years Programme and Middle Years
P and rincipal s fun o tudents Sims n fam havin ily n g ight
Programme (MYP) with a continuum of the MYP and Diploma Program offered by a partnership high school. Yet Principal’s greatest accomplishments are within the smiles, spirit and success of every student because they make the world a better place. Source: Tina Franklin- Bertrand
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