QUESTIONS & ANSWERS with the Principals of Effingham County School District LATOYA JONES, Blandford Elementary As the Principal of Blandford Elementary School, I am looking forward to continuing to serve the BES community. I am a Georgia Southern University graduate, married to Anthony Jones, Asst. Band Director of the Effingham County High School, and we have a 5-year-old son, Trenton. What are your goals for the school year? Our goals at BES are to continue to develop good leaders and learners while keeping students comfortable with learning in a safe environment.
What’s happening this year that you would like the community to know? BES is participating in Leader in Me to support the social emotional aspect of learning and leadership. Our students are very excited to continue to work on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. What’s your favorite summer memory? My favorite summer memory is when my mother took my brother and I to Disney World and Universal Studios! I am looking forward to continuing to provide that same fun experience to our son, Trenton.
TRAVIS DICKEY, Effingham County Middle School I’m proud to have grown up in Effingham. I went to Rincon Elementary, Effingham Middle (then called Central Junior High), and Effingham High School, graduating in 1991. I went to UGA for undergraduate and Georgia Southern for graduate school. When I look back on my time as a student, I can think of many teachers whom I adored and who were a major influence on me. And not just teachers, bus drivers, coaches, and administrators too. To give just one example, I remember with fondness my elementary school bus driver, Mrs. Mayola Sanders. Each day as she drove, she smiled and talked to us about being good and kind-hearted. I didn’t think too much of it at the time, but it resonates with me today, because that’s what we all want to be—a positive influence on students.
the curriculum for what we call “literacy block and talent time.” This is a special part of the day where some students get extra reading practice, some get extra writing practice, and others do hands-on enrichment activities. Now, we’re excited about the updates we’ve made--adding a writer’s workshop, tweaking the literacy strategies, vetting reading selections based on student interest, and developing new and interesting activities for enrichment.
What are your goals for the school year? You might say Mrs. May represents what we hope to accomplish at ECMS. The faculty and staff work extremely hard to be a positive influence. For example, teachers spent the past few months revising
What’s your favorite summer memory? Spending so much time with my family, my wife Paige Dickey and our two sons and daughter. We’ve had more time to spend together in the past four months than ever, and it’s been a pleasure.
What’s happening this year that you would like the community to know? I’m thankful to be part of such an outstanding faculty, such a terrific learning culture. The staff is dedicated. The students are a joy. The growth that occurs each day is extraordinary. But with 22 years of experience, having worked at a number of different schools, both public and private, I can say without a doubt, ECMS is a really cool place to be, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
CHARLOTTE CONNELLY, Guyton Elementary I graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1995 with my teaching degree, then six years later received a leadership degree from Georgia Southern University. I moved to Effingham County in 1997 and was hired to teach at Guyton Elementary School. During the past 24 years at GES, I have taught Pre-K, worked as Assistant Principal and I am now starting my 10th year as Principal. I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters who support me in my busy career.
relationships with all students and parents by having an open dialogue whether it be in person or virtual.
What are your goals for the school year? My goal this year is to provide students with a strong foundation of moral and academic excellence through a safe and supportive learning environment especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. I want my staff to continue to develop meaningful
What’s your favorite summer memory? We own B and E Farm and enjoy showing, selling and raising goats. Our goats are a large part of our lives and I enjoy sharing them with others.
What’s happening this year that you would like the community to know? During these challenging times, I want everyone to know that I feel it is critical we support each other. At GES we will continue to come up with creative ways to help the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our students, staff and parents. This upcoming school year will be like no other we have experienced but together we will be GATOR STRONG!
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