Interview with Romain Stanley: At-Large Candidate for the Cumberland County Board of Education

Community Activist Romain Stanley would like to join Cumberland County's Board of Education.

I want to remain informed about the happenings of my school-system and community-at-large so I recently sat down with Community Activist Romain Stanley.  He is pursuing a seat on the Cumberland County Board of Education.

Here is our in-depth interview:

  

About Romain Stanley 

Romain Stanley was born on February 22, 1984.  He is from Fayetteville, NC and loves his city. Romain graduated from Seventy First High School. 

After school, he decided to serve his country and entered the United States Air Force. When he first went into the Air Force his first job was becoming a Survival Instructor and eventually he became a Logistics Supervisor where he was appointed to teach job curriculum to incoming soldiers. 

After doing his duty, he went to work as a Supply Supervisor under a Dept of State Contract, and he was appointed to educate incoming workers. Romain has been teaching in this type of setting for the past 11 years and is no stranger to educating.

He now attends Campbell University Divinity School where he is completing his Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies concentrating in Public Relations while minoring in Management.  

Romain is now involved in his community and utilizes his non-profit organization to give back. He has also volunteered in programs focused on children. Romain continues to mentor youth throughout his community and educate young people on life skills and social issues. 

As a single parent father of two gorgeous bright young ladies, he understands that it is his responsibility to educate the next generation.

Stay tuned for my upcoming interviews with the other candidates!

Interview with Greg West: Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Education

For the past 12 years, Greg West has served on the Cumberland County Board of Education.  He is seeking his fourth term.

In an effort to stay informed about local educational issues as well as inform others, I recently sat down with Greg West (Chairman of the Cumberland County Board of Education).  While at his Westan Homes Office, we discussed his reelection campaign and platform.

Here is our interview:

About Greg West:

Married a teacher. Son of a teacher. Living a life profoundly influenced and incredibly blessed by public education, Greg West is proud to call Fayetteville and Cumberland County home.

Greg is married to Kristie Fields West, a teaching fellow from Meredith College who taught 3rd grade at Bill Hefner Elementary. Her parents both retired from the Cumberland County School system. Greg and Kristie have three children that are receiving a great education in our public schools.

EDUCATION

• Master of Business Administration graduated with Distinction      Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, Campbell University
• Bachelor of Environmental Design graduated Cum Laude       College of Design, North Carolina State University

BOARDS & MEMBERSHIPS (PARTIAL LISTING)

• Fayetteville Cumberland Chamber of Commerce
• Board of Directors
• Vice President – Economic Development
• Military Affairs Council
• Leadership Fayetteville Graduate
• Leadership Fayetteville Faculty

• Greater Fayetteville Futures II
• Board of Directors
• Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
• Task Force Member
• Kiwanis Club of Fayetteville

• Cumberland County Education Foundation
• Board of Directors
• Methodist University Loyalty Day
• Team Leader
• NCSU Wolfpack Club Representative
• NCSU Alumni Association Representative

• Cumberland County Board of Education
• Elected At-Large 2002, 2006, 2010
• Chairman 2005, 2009, 2014
• Vice Chairman 2004, 2008, 2013
• North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT)
• Trustee
• Fayetteville Area Association of REALTORS
• Board of Directors
• Vice President - Public Relations
• Vice President – Education
• March of Dimes
• Board of Directors
• Homebuilders Association of Fayetteville

• Snyder Memorial Baptist Church
• Deacon
• Sanctuary Choir Member
• Youth Sunday School Teacher

Stayed tuned for my upcoming interviews with the other candidates!

Interview with Donna Vann: At-Large Candidate for the Cumberland County Board of Education

Donna Vann, principal of Glendale Acres Elementary, is seeking a seat on the Cumberland County Board of Education.

There are three at-large seats up for grabs in this year's Cumberland County Board of Education Election.  I intend to interview all of the candidates before November 4th.  

I was able to start with Donna Vann who is the principal of Glendale Acres Elementary.  We spoke at her Global Learning Center Office, which she owns with her husband. 

Here is our one-on-one interview:

About Donna Vann:

• Born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
• Married to Mike Vann for 25 years and the proud mother of two sons, Jordan and Greyson.
• The Vanns are small business owners in the community.  Their business (Global Learning Center) provides educational tutoring services for students from Kindergarten to adult in Cumberland and surrounding counties.
• Donna is one of 3 generations to graduate from the Fayetteville City/Cumberland County School System.

Education/Educational Career:

• Received a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree in Early Childhood Education (K-4) from East Carolina University.
• Obtained a Master in Education Degree from Fayetteville State University with certifications in:
• Elementary Education (K-6)
• Administration (K-12)
• Instructional Specialist
• Reading
• 31 years in education as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.
• Served on Cumberland County Schools' system-wide advisory teams, such as Elementary Advisory, Federal Programs Advisory, and Human Resources Advisory.

Stay tuned for my additional interviews with the other candidates!

Flashback Friday - 2014 Lateral Entry Mini-Camp for CCS Teachers

The 2014 Lateral Entry Mini-Camp for CCS Teachers was held July 28th - July 31st. 

I LOVE facilitating professional development sessions because it allows me to share my passion (teaching) in a slightly different manner.  I am able to show another side of my personality as I navigate working with adult learners.

One setting that I particularly enjoy conducting is Lateral Entry Mini-Camp for CCS Teachers because just a few short years ago, I myself was sitting in this session as a pupil.  This session helps me to realize how far that I have personally come as an educator because when I was there as a student, I arrived without a clue and left with numerous tools to utilize.  A lot of these tools, I still use to this day.

What is Lateral Entry, you say?  Lateral Entry Teachers are individuals who have graduated from a college or university, but did not major in education.  These teachers are content experts who have a strong concentration in their content area, but must take educational classes after entering the classroom.

On July 31st, I facilitated a Classroom Management/Curriculum Breakdown Workshop with my partner, Aritia Smalls.  We had a splendid time sharing our perspective with individuals who wanted our answers.

Here are a few pictures showcasing parts of the seminar:

At the Front of the Class!

A Can-Do Attitude!

Active Learners!

I have heard wonderful reports about the outstanding contributions that our Lateral Entry Teachers are making here in Cumberland County since the school year started.  I wish them continued success!

A Special Interview with Phyllis Cannon - NCCTM Outstanding Secondary School Mathematics Teacher for Cumberland County Schools

Phyllis Cannon is an exceptional mathematics teacher who was recently named the NCCTM Outstanding Secondary School Mathematics Teacher for Cumberland County Schools.

Phyllis Cannon is an exemplary educator who easily touches the lives of her students at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Middle School.  She is inspirational, motivating, and quite knowledgeable.  A few days ago, I sat down with Mrs. Cannon to discuss her latest achievement - being named Cumberland County Schools Outstanding Secondary Representative for the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM).  She will be formally recognized in Greensboro at the NCCTM State Conference.

Click on the link below to watch my insightful interview with Mrs. Cannon as we discuss her award and work.

I certainly enjoyed my conversation with Mrs. Cannon, and I commend her once again for being such a fine example for educators everywhere!

Musical Questions - Kinesthetic Activity in the English/Language Arts Classroom!

The popular game, Musical Chairs, is the inspiration for my new instructional approach, Musical Questions.

Musical Chairs is a mainstay in elementary classrooms and at parties. With that knowledge, I decided to bring a version of the game into my middle school English/Language Arts classroom as a way to incorporate more movement. 

Participants love the sound of the music as well as the excitement of determining who will be lucky enough to claim a seat when the music ceases.  In Musical Chairs, everyone is engaged.  I knew that I could transfer that engagement into my classroom by being a little creative.

I altered Musical Chairs into a fun, engaging instructional strategy that I call Musical Questions.  This tool is used to facilitate comprehension questions and discussions.

Here are the rules:

• The teacher poses a rich (higher-order) question to the students after reading a section of a novel or some other type of reading material.
• The teacher allows for wait time/processing time.
• The question is posted on the Smartboard via PowerPoint or Prezi with appropriate images to bring the question to life.
• Students are asked to stand with their novel or other source. Student will use the text as evidence when discussing the question.
• While the music is playing, students are migrating around the classroom while discussing the question on the board with a variety of classmates.
• When the music stops, students must sit in the nearest desk.  Since students will exchange seats, they must take their source material with them in order to continue reading.
• The student who is the last one to sit down must answer the question for the class as well as facilitate the conversation by choosing two other students to respond.
• After the three responses are shared, students continue reading the text.
• The process can be repeated as many times as you would like.
• It is my recommendation that students engage with different students after each question in an effort to expand collaboration.

I have been utilizing the Musical Questions Method as I read Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer with my 6th Graders, and we all love the process because now answering comprehension questions has become a game.  Students are able to move and converse while enjoying the book.

WonderWorks Teacher Appreciation 2014

The sky was the limit while visiting WonderWorks for Teacher Appreciation 2014!

WonderWorks is an indoor, interactive museum/amusement park with over 100 exhibits expanding the themes of space, physics, math, and other scientific topics.

Wonder Works is a major attraction at Broadway at the Beach!

Last weekend, I attended the WonderWorks Teacher Appreciation Event!  Teachers from North and South Carolina received free all-access, all-day passes!  I traveled to Myrtle Beach with my colleagues with the objective of determining if WonderWorks would make a feasible field trip for our middle school students.

Watch the following video of our Road Trip to WonderWorks as well as our exploration of the various exhibits!

Here are some personal photos from the trip:

Sherron Evans (Guidance Counselor at SVMS) relaxing on a bed of nails.

Here I am on a Bed of Nails at Wonder Works Teacher Appreciation 2014!

Making bubbles!

   

Simon Says!

The venue has a few floors filled with fascinating events!

Dreams come true!  I am an astronaut!

Ms. Robbins and Ms. Evans crossing the pier.

Reporting from WonderWorks!

Super Excited!

How high can you jump?

Wall of Physicists!