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Fine Arts Center Parking is Complete
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 Monroe County Schools recently completed work on the Fine Arts Center parking area. The landscaped, welcoming area is adjacent to the Fine Arts Center, in close proximity to the Freshman Campus, and the Dan Pitts Stadium. There are 150 spaces which will be used day-to-day for student parking, stadium events, and fine arts center event parking. This ESPLOST project was completed by Carter & Sloope Consulting Engineers and Sellers Contracting Services LLC.
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2018 Teacher of the Year Feature:
Mary Persons High School's Mark Smith
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 We're featuring a different school's Teacher of the Year leading up to the April Board of Education meeting when this year's System Teacher of the Year is announced. This week's feature is Mary Persons High School's Mark Smith. He is a math teacher.
Please share your personal education history. Where did you grow up? Where did you graduate from high school? Where did you go to college? What degree(s) earned?
Graduated from Monroe Academy in Forsyth in 1988. Lived in Monroe County all of my life. Attended different colleges: Macon Junior College, Georgia College ( now Georgia College and State University, Central Georgia Technical College (earned several computer certifications), Mercer University, Bachelor's Degree in Education and Walden University, Master's Degree in Education.
What is a funny memory or story you can share from your teaching experience?
One day while teaching class, a mouse came running out from one of my filing cabinets, and as you can imagine, the students began to climb up in their desks and scream. I quickly calmed them down by telling them that the mouse was my pet and I let him out every now and then. I then explained that he was trained to only run around my desk, but not to them. After class, I let the custodian know that I needed him in my room to get rid of a mouse. He got rid of the mouse, but the students asked for months if I could show them the mouse again.
 How long have you been teaching and what have your teaching assignments been? (Grades and/or subjects taught.) How long have you been a part of Monroe County Schools? Have you taught anywhere else as well?
I have been teaching for 12 years, and Mary Persons High School is the only school I have ever taught. Courses Taught: 9th Grade: Algebra For Mastery, Math I, Accelerated Math I 10th Grade: Geometry, Analytic Geometry, Foundations of Algebra 11th Grade: Math II, Advanced Algebra, Honors Algebra II 12th Grade: Math Of Finance.
If you could provide one piece of advice to new teachers, what would you tell them?
Greet your students every day with a smile, and get to know your students (the best you can). Build a positive relationship with them, and provide them with your best attitude, learning strategies, and ideas. Have high expectations, and always be the example you want to see in them.
What does it mean to you to be chosen as teacher of the year for your school?
Being teacher of the year is humbling. I work with many outstanding colleagues and have learned much from them. Many educators are far too humble to be recognized easily. I perceive this honor as a representation of these great hardworking teachers who spend their lives serving in the classroom to make a difference in the lives of the children.
What's your favorite memory involving your teaching?
My favorite memories of teaching are when I see former students and they tell me how much I Inspired them not only when I taught them, but long after.
What's the most challenging thing about teaching?
Teaching is similar to parenting. A teacher's work/job is never done. The most challenging thing about teaching for me is balancing direct teaching with the paperwork that is necessary. This is a challenge that educators hurdle every year, but with determination and some late evenings, we are able to accomplish all that is required.
What's the most rewarding thing about teaching?
The most rewarding thing about teaching is seeing the students succeed. Whether the success is grasping a concept, moving on to the next grade level, achieving graduation, or succeeding after graduation.
Why have you chosen to be a teacher?
I have chosen to be a teacher because I want to make a difference in a child's life, and to help them strive to become the best they can be.
Was there a teacher or administrator who influenced your occupation choice?
My wife, Melissa and her grandfather, Mr. Vinson, influenced me to become a teacher. They both believed in me when I had doubts, and pushed me to pursue my hopes of becoming an educator even when it meant quitting my full time job at the railroad. Without their encouragement and support, I may not be doing what I was meant to do. Mrs. Hargrove, my high school math teacher, helped me realize my strengths in Math and that Math makes sense.
Share about your family and your life outside of school. Hobbies? Interests?
I have been married to my beautiful wife, Melissa (Counselor at KB Sutton), for 23 years. We have 3 wonderful children: McKenzie Smith---20--Graduated from MPHS and attends Gordon College (Education) McClane Smith---15-- Attends MPHS 9th grade, plays football and golf Maycie Smith---11-- Attends BSMS 6th grade, cheerleader and chorus Hobbies and Interests: Camping, Hiking, Water sports, Hunting, Fishing, Watching College Football (Go Dawgs)
What does the future hold for you in education?
I plan to continue to teach Math and be the best I can be, to help my students become the best they can be.
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MP Students Create Portraits of Syrian Refugee Children: Sharing Their Talents Around the World
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Students in Mrs. Samantha Trevitt's art classes at Mary Persons High recently completed unique art projects that spanned the globe. Students were sent pictures of Syrian refugee children. The MP art students then turned those pictures into artworks for the students which were then mailed back to them. Click the link above to watch a video showcasing "The Memory Project" and its reach for American students and Syrian refugees.
The art students were able to make connections around the world and provide service to others through their art.
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MPHS to Offer Physicals for Student-Athletes
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On Monday, April 30, 2018 Mary Persons High School will be offering physicals for all student-athletes interested in participating in athletics. The cost of the physical is $10. All student-athletes are required to have a physical in order to participate in athletics. The physicals will be held at James P. Evans Gymnasium on the campus of Mary Persons High School. In order for the process to run as smoothly as possible, please adhere to the following times:
All Rising 7th and 8th Graders 4:00- 5:00 pm
All Rising 9th - 12th Graders 5:00-6:30 pm
REMINDERS:
- All student-athletes must fill out the front page of the physical form, and it must be signed in the appropriate places by both the student-athlete and parent/guardian.
- All physicals must be on the GHSA approved form.
- Cost: $10
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Overdrive: Spring Break Reading Made Easy with FREE eBooks and Audio Books
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Monroe County Schools' Media Specialists offer an ebook and audio book collection for all students and staff. Listen or read a book from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Our collection spans K-12 titles. For assistance with Overdrive, contact your school's media specialist.
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Message from Monroe County Schools Nurses:
Put Medicines Up and Away
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For a list of tips to keep medicines safe, click here.
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Monroe County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices, student programs and dealings with the public. It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and all accompanying regulations. As a result, the following people have been appointed to oversee specific areas.
Title II, Adult 504, Adult Title IX
Dr. Mike Hickman
25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029
478-994-2031
Student and Athletic Title IX Jackson Daniel
25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029 Student 504 Jenny Rooks 25 Brooklyn Avenue Forsyth, GA 31029 Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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