CHESTER COUNTY INDEPENDENT • Thursday, July 29, 2010 Page 19
Jacks Creek Elementary School
One-hundred-eighty days to make an impact By James A. Webb General Manager
From August to May, a school system has 180 days to make an impact on its students. That’s the philosophy of new Jacks Creek Elementary School principal Amy Wooley. “I always have a goal to make them love school, to love reading,” said Wooley. “I always like to see the ‘light bulb’ come on and enjoy school.” No longer just a teacher, but now teacher and principal, Wooley now has 180 days to make an impact on the entire school. She succeeds Latasha Phillips as principal, following Phillips’ retirement at the end of the last school year. Leaving the classroom full-time is a bittersweet moment for Wooley, who said she is amazed she’s gotten to this point in her life. Wooley graduated from Dyer County High School in 1989 and received her undergraduate degree from Union University in 1993. That same year she began her teaching career at Jacks Creek, adding a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin last year. She is married to Mark Wooley, who she met during her college years, and they have two children – Gregory 10, and Katelyn 15. Wooley looks upon everyone at Jacks Creek as her friends, and sees a challenge to suddenly being their supervisor. “Everyone here is close. We mean a lot to each other. Now to have authority over them will take some practice in mutual respect,” she stated. However, she has the support of that school family who each voiced their support as Wooley began the move to the principal’s office. “I want to thank Latasha for helping me, and showing me the ropes,” emphasized Wooley. Wooley’s advancement is not the only adjustment at Jacks Creek. New teachers include Kristen Moorehead in kindergarten, and Mitch Irwin and Amber
Amy Wooley begins her first year as principal at Jacks Creek Elementary, having 180 days to make an impact on her students. Murley in third grade. Also the school system is changing from six-week to nine-week grading periods. However, Wooley sees that as no challenge. “I think we will actually benefit from it,” she said. What is a challenge, however, are new standards. “The level expected is disheartening,” she stated. “Everyone has to step up their game, from kindergarten all the way up.” Finally she stated, “My hope is for a successful year for the teachers, to feel good about what they’ve accomplished, and that students have made significant gains in their grade level.”
From Page 17
Faculty Bus Drivers Bricie Hornbeak (No. 1), Laura Gauger (2), Jeff Reinman (3), Audria Reeves (4), Marilyn Webb (5), Robert Mathis (6), Ricky Johnson (7), Kenneth Davis (8), Jimmy Howard (9), Stella Garland (10),
Todd Davis (11), Elaine Platt (12), Angie Knipper (13), Mike Doyle (15), Billy Trice (16), Jessica Muse (17), Elbert Brooks (18), Paulette Whitman (19), Rose Buchanan (20), Mary Rimmer (21), Henry Brown (22), Angela Burton (23), Lane Mosely (24), Jeffrey Keith Davis (25), Wilma Williams (500), Paulette Inman (550).
Bus Monitors Shirley Wilson, Renee Croom.