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New Huddleston
principal has a plan
By RANDY GADDO
Special to the Citizen
Becky Maddox is getting a team
together, and she's using triangles to do it.
The new principal at Huddleston Elementary School in Peachtree City is
preparing for the 2000-2001 school year, and she has developed a simple
formula for success.
"Teamwork, plus objectives, plus data equals results," said
the incoming leader, who served as principal at Peachtree City Elementary
for four years. "I use two triangles to demonstrate my approach.
One triangle has the three points of teamwork, learning objectives and
data. The other has parents, teachers and students. When you merge the
two together in a harmonious and constructive way, you get results that
will benefit all players."
Maddox says she will use a three-point approach to accomplish goals as
well.
Her first and foremost goal will be to promote a sense of camaraderie
among students, staff and families. She will focus on the students to
build collaborative relationships that benefit the entire community.
Second, she will emphasize aspects of data-driven instruction, in consonance
with the newly adopted House Bill 1187, also known as the "A+ Education
Reform Act," signed into law April 25, she says.
Third, she adds, she will build on tried-and-true traditions that have
made Huddleston a successful learning institution.
"It's vital to keep the focus on students," she said. "Sometimes
we get caught up in the rush of procedures and requirements and lose sight
of the individual student and his or her needs. I am going to try very
hard not to let that happen."
She stressed that House Bill 1187 will have a major impact on how teachers
and administrators do business. The state law changes how schools are
operated and how students and teachers are evaluated.
Schools will be graded A,B,C,D or F on absolute student achievement and
on improved student achievement. Schools and their staffs getting grades
of A or B can receive rewards, including cash. Schools with a C will get
no additional incentive.
Schools receiving a D or F will be recommended to the state Board of Education
for intervention, which could include assistance from the state in developing
an intense improvement plan. If a school receives a D or F for three years
or more, intervention may include removal of school personnel, relocating
students at the school system's expense, and assigning a state management
team paid for by the school system.
The law also requires phased-in formation of seven-member school councils
consisting of parents, teachers, business partners and the principal.
By 2001, each school district must have councils in one high school, one
middle school and one elementary school. By 2002, 50 percent of schools
in a district must have councils, and by 2003, all schools must have a
council in place.
"The focus of HB 1187 is accountability and school improvement,"
Maddox said. "We're going to work hard to understand and implement
the reform requirements at Huddleston."
She was quick to point out that she is fortunate to come into a school
that is already successful due to previous leadership decisions. "I
want to build and improve on what is already a success story," Maddox
noted.
A look at the school planning calendar shows that new staff development
programs have already been implemented.
Beginning Aug. 2-3, the staff began familiarizing themselves with new
procedures and plans. Throughout the year, additional training is scheduled,
including an assessment of teacher personalities. This will help teachers
know themselves better in order to respond more effectively to the needs
of students.
Maddox and her husband, Lonnie, have a 20-year-old son, Matt, and an 18-year-old
daughter, Erin, both students at the University of Georgia.
"This year will go down in history as a year of change and challenge
for the public schools of Georgia and most importantly for Huddleston
Elementary," she stated in her newsletter message. "These are
exciting days... and I welcome these challenges with confidence and enthusiasm."
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