THE BEAT
January 16, 2020
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Happy New Year and welcome Back! We have a lot to celebrate here in the Baldwin County School District. We are very excited to continue building upon the foundation of success we have been putting into place over the past several years to ensure all of our students achieve at high levels. Our employees work hard every day to ensure that our students have all the resources they need to focus on their education so they can be successful in life.
We are committed to working in collaboration with our stakeholders to lead Baldwin County Schools to new heights.
It is because of our partnership with parents, partners in education, and community members who take an active interest in our schools that we are able to provide our students with a high-quality education. There is an age-old saying that it takes a village to raise a child and I am incredibly thankful and inspired by the village that we have been able to build here in Baldwin County. We look forward to a great second semester and your continued support.
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Baldwin Academy Playhouse Musical
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Baldwin Academy Playhouse is excited to present its third musical, How I Became A Pirate! This swashbuckling tale, based on the beloved children's book by Melinda Long and David Shannon, promises to be a rollicking good time! Showtimes are 7:00 p.m. on January 17th and 2:00 p.m. on January 18th. Tickets are $7 in advance and $8 at the door. Children 3 and under and Baldwin County Employees with a valid I.D. are free.
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Baldwin High School Receives State Award
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We are pleased to announce that Baldwin High School has earned the Reward School designation by the Georgia Department of Education. Reward Schools designation recognizes Title 1 schools making the greatest improvements.
“We are very proud of our team at Baldwin High School for earning this distinction,” said Superintendent Dr. Noris Price. “The teachers, support staff, school leaders, and parents at Baldwin High School have done a great job of working collaboratively to ensure all of our students graduate from high school and have options.”
“While we are focused on continuous improvement for all schools, it’s also essential that we recognize when schools are doing well,” said State School Superintendent Richard Woods. “These schools are overcoming barriers, meeting challenges, and producing great gains for their students. I commend the school leaders, teachers, parents, and communities in our 2019-20 Distinguished and Reward Schools who are opening up opportunities for their students.”
Reward Schools are among the greatest-improving 5% of Title 1 Schoolwide schools and Title 1 Targeted Assistance schools. Reward schools also have to maintain the performance of their economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and English learners to be recognized.
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ESPLOST Continues to Make a Difference
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Thanks to local ESPLOST funding, the one-penny sales tax, our schools have undergone a stunning transformation over the past several years. The Special Local Option Sales Tax for Education funds has allowed us to upgrade many of our schools.
ESPLOST has proven itself for having a dramatic impact on the improvement of all of our schools in the district. This funding has served the Baldwin County School District, its students, staff and parents, along with the community as a whole, very well over the past several years and has made the district a public educational leader when it comes to the safety and security of all of our schools and programs.
This year, and most notably, the Baldwin High School athletics teams now have an incredible home-field advantage after the construction of an all-new $4.5 million complex. The new complex offers all-new playing surfaces, field houses, locker rooms, and parking for our baseball, softball, soccer, and tennis teams, along with serving as a practice facility for the Band of the Braves.
Each of our elementary level schools in the Baldwin County School District has seen new flooring and paint as well as new furniture. Oak Hill Middle School will be getting a makeover during the next phase of ESPLOST. Oak Hill will see a multi-million dollar renovation starting this summer that will include new heating and air conditioning units, a new roof, new classroom furniture, paint and new flooring.
On March 24th, we will be asking the citizens of this community to vote on ESPLOST VI, which is a continuation of our current one cent sales tax. A special thanks to all of the voters who have supported the ESPLOST referendums for the past 23 years and have provided such incredible support to our students and teachers.
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Meet the Baldwin County School District
2020 Teacher of the Year
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Ryan Maraziti
Lakeview Academy
Marist College -
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Radio/TV/Film
Master of Arts Degree in Educational Psychology
Teaching Certification P-12
Years of Teaching:
15
In any given moment, you have two options: Step forward into growth or back into safety. Most of my early life was spent retracting to the shade of certainty and security, despite the urge to live free of the insecurities that had shadowed me. I think we all have moments in time that define us, and unless we truly burn with a desire for or burn from the pain, we may never step outside of the comfort zone that has kept us from truly realizing how great we can be. That was me up until I made the decision to leave home in the small state of Rhode Island at the age of seventeen to pursue a life outside of the box of mediocrity that had been modeled for me. I once read in a book, “Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness." That quote resonates with truth as I reflect upon the life I lived and the life I had soon discovered I could live. What does this have to do with influencing my decision to become a teacher? Everything. We don’t know whose destiny lies on the other side of our obedience, and for me, that decision to leave the confines of my comfort zone propelled me into my growth zone. I quickly learned there is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone.
The decision to step outside of the well-intentioned confusion created by our comfort zone is the driving force behind my philosophy of teaching. Students are products of their environments - many times well-meaning, but confusing in regards to the reality they face daily. In some regards, I hope to provide stability in a current of constant change and uncertainty that young people strive to navigate on a daily basis. These currents may be homelife, relationships, self-image, social acceptance, or academic performance. Regardless of the belief that has or has not been spoken into these areas of their lives, I work to create an expectation of greatness for each student.
So, how does all of this tie together? Growth is a choice, and it must be intentional. The impact of my teaching is a reflection of the idea that each student is growing, and my goal is to nurture a desire for continued growth by continually expecting their best. When students know someone believes in them, it’s a reason to show up each day. It’s those reasons, not their grades, that keep them from giving up. Those reasons will elevate the price they are willing to pay and strengthen their will to win - in all areas of life.
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Meet our 2020 Teacher of the Year Finalists
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Each year in November, we celebrate the very best of our best! Meet this year's Teachers of the Year Finalists and get a glimpse of why they do what they do for our students every day!
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Katrina Veal
Midway Hills Primary
Georgia College -
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Georgia Southwestern -
Master's Degree in Early Childhood
Nova Southeastern -
Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction
Years of Teaching: 24
Never did it cross my mind as a young child that I would become a teacher. I was born and raised in Baldwin County and reaped the benefits of being taught by some dynamic educators during my educational journey. It wasn’t until I walked into Mrs. Gussie Harris Sutton's eighth-grade math class that becoming a teacher became a thought. Mrs. Sutton made math fun and exciting. I remember reciting in class everyday, “ I am somebody.” It was Mrs. Sutton who whispered in my ear one day, “ Little Liggins, a teacher you should be.” She constantly told me that I was good at helping my classmates and that I just had that teacher spark. No matter where she saw me, she encouraged me to become a teacher. I worked diligently to make this my reality.
Another reason for which I chose to enter education was to have a positive impact on students who had no support at home, yet were still educationally successful. My brother and I were raised by my mother, who was our sole provider. It was the support of her, my grandparents, and caring teachers such as Mrs. Sutton that helped me become the teacher I am today.
My greatest contribution to education would be my ability to ignite a passion for learning in my students. Cultivating a passion for learning in our students is my responsibility because they are our future. I’ve worked, over the past 23 years, to make learning engaging for the students, I’ve taught. I’ve had the honor of teaching a wide array of students in the educational setting ranging from kindergarten to fourth grade, and I presently serve all K-2 students at the primary level in the STEAM Lab. Because I have experience in both upper and lower grades, I’m able to pull in a variety of educational strategies that are rigorous, engaging, differentiated, and student-centered. Hopefully, I have provided my students with a quality education that will prepare them for the future.
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Anna Dunn
Midway Hills Academy
Georgia Military College -
Associate's Degree in General Studies
Georgia College and State University -
Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Troy State University -
Master's Degree in Counseling/Psychology
Nova Southeastern University-
Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction
Years of Teaching: 19
From early on, I knew that I loved children. Children have always been the most exciting company to keep and are instant mood lifters. Being around children is contagious, and from as long as I can remember, I have always been what you would call a “child magnet." It was natural. Children wanted to be around me, and I wanted to be in their presence as well. I had a knack for listening to little ones and making connections with them. However, I didn't always know that I wanted to be a teacher. I just knew that I had to get a college degree to support myself.
Since childhood, I have always had a love for books and reading. I knew I would enjoy teaching reading and inspiring students to love reading, as well. I wanted to help students realize that literacy is the key to lifelong education, and education is the key to success.
Today I can say that I am proud of my educational accomplishments. Not many know that my education started with a GED (General Education Diploma). I am fortunate to say that it did not stop with that GED. I was determined to continue my education, no matter the obstacles that I faced. After completing my General Education Diploma, I soon went on to get my Associates Degree from Georgia Military College and my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College and State University. At that point in my life, I was proud, as was my entire family because I was a first-generation college student. I went on to get my Master’s in Counseling from Troy State University and next followed my Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Nova Southwestern University. I currently hold a reading endorsement and an ESOL endorsement. As my educational endeavors grew, so did my teaching skills and my longing to help students see their own potentials through academics.
My specialty or contribution to education is building personal relationships with my students, sharing my enthusiasm for reading, and being a reading role model. I am also skilled at thinking out of the box and doing whatever it takes to get my students involved in reading. Presently, I enjoy offering an educationally inviting reading/learning environment for my students. This environment inspires, empowers, and encourages students to read, read, read. I work hard to strengthen and assist students in becoming readers for life.
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Dr. Candice Haynes
Baldwin High School
Paine College -
Bachelor's Degree in Biology/Pre-Medicine
Medical College of Georgia -
Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy
Mercer University -
Master's Degree
Nova Southeastern University -
Specialist and Doctorate Degrees in Education
Years of Teaching: 16
During my formative years, I was very active at Flagg Chapel Baptist Church with the Junior Choir and taught Vacation Bible School for several years. As a child, I was a member of the Brownies and Girl Scouts, Youth Bowling League, Summer Camps at Walter Williams Park as a Camper, and later as a Camp Counselor.
During High School, I played basketball for a year and served as the head trainer for the boy's basketball team for three years, girls softball team, boys and girls track teams for four years under the direct supervision of Coach Anderson Bentley and Coach James Lunsford. After graduating from Baldwin High, I worked as the lead sports basketball manager at Paine College for four years under the Supervision of Coach Ron Spry.
The education I received in the Baldwin County School System prepared me to enter college as a Biology Pre-medicine major. I was prepared to enter into my major courses from the first semester, and my goal was to graduate in four years, and I did just that. Once I completed my Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology Pre-Medicine, I attended the Medical College of Georgia where I obtained my Bachelor of Science Degree in Respiratory Therapy. I worked for several years before I began my graduate degree at Mercer University College of Medicine, where I earned a Masters in Public Health Research and Community Health. I then obtained my Educational Specialist in Curriculum Instruction and Management and Administration and recently completed my Educational Doctorate in Instructional Technology and Distance Education both from Nova Southeastern University.
I began my professional career as a licensed Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) in which I was not only treating patients but was required to educated other respiratory students during their educational clinical rotations. While working as a therapist full-time, I began teaching at the collegiate level with Georgia College and State University in the Kinesiology Department as an adjunct instructor. I also taught with Oconee Fall Line Technical College (formerly Sandersville Technical College) in the Pre-Nursing program teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology. As I continued to teach, I decided to move into public education so that I could make a difference in the lives of young people. I was teaching in Washington County, and I was contacted by my favorite mentor-teacher, Mrs. Cathy Grimes, in which she stated: “you need to come home and work, we need you here." Mrs. Grimes was the true epitome of what an educator should portray on a daily basis. Mrs. Grimes was the reason that I decided to major in Biology when I graduated from Baldwin High School (BHS). Her inspiration leads me through my educational career and back to BHS.
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Ashley Lee
Lakeview Primary
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College -
Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Valdosta State University -
Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education
Years of Teaching: 8
I was inspired by my third-grade teacher to pursue teaching, and I implement the same
welcoming atmosphere in my room that she did. I am committed to educating students, colleagues, families, and the community by establishing strong connections. I strive to improve learning and school culture. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University. I have experience in Special Education and ESOL. I obtained an ESOL endorsement, Gifted Endorsement, and International Montessori Certification.
This is my eighth teaching as a public primary school educator.I started my career in Gainesville, Florida, as a kindergarten/first-grade combination teacher. During the following years, I taught a multi-age classroom for the program Project Friends. It was a mixture of kindergarten, first and second-grade students, which provides a unique experience for students as well as teachers. In 2016, I moved to Milledgeville, Georgia, and began teaching kindergarten at Eagle Ridge Elementary. In 2017, I relocated to Lakeview Primary, where I taught a kindergarten inclusion class the following two years. I now teach in the newly founded Montessori program.
My greatest accomplishments in education cannot be measured by personal gains or rewards, but in the successes of the students, I encounter every day. My goal is to provide children with a safe and loving environment and to provide children with the tools to be successful every day. I greet every child I see in the morning with a smile.
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Lakeview Primary Students Learn the Value of Hands-on Instruction
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The gardens at Lakeview Primary School are producing some delicious vegetables! With the guidance of Ms. Molly Patten, our district Food Corps member, students harvested spinach and radish to sample. We are excited to see what else pops up in the gardens over the next few months. Currently planted are carrots, kale, radish, lettuce, and beets.
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Midway Hills Primary STEAM Family Night
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Midway Hills Primary hosted their 2nd Annual STEAM Family Night. Students and parents enjoyed building towers, creating their own toys, exploring with merge cubes and much more. This event was a huge success and we look forward to many more.
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Lakeview Academy STEM Lab
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Lakeview Academy students create Cubelets block robots and utilized Makey-makey devices.
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Georgia College Early College Students Take Advantage of Dual Enrollment
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Beginning this month, 132 of Georgia College Early College (GCEC) high school students will take advantage of the dual enrollment programs at Central Georgia Technical College, Georgia Military College, and/or Georgia College. These 132 students include all GCEC 10th, 11th and 12th graders. Thanks to the College Support courses, students are provided with one-on-one assistance to assist them in successfully completing their college courses. We are grateful for our seniors, Nakaiya Cogdell and Allen Edwards, who assisted our new students in getting logged in to their first college courses on their first day of class.
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Oak Hill Middle School Developing
Scientists
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Seventh grade students are currently studying ecosystems. Students are learning about the roles that plants, animals, and other organisms play in keeping the environment running well! Last week, Mrs. Curtis's class had fun participating in an activity simulating how deer and wolves interact in the wild and looked at survival and adaptation. Mr. Shinholster and Ms. Butts had their students examine owl pellets and used it as a springboard to discuss predator-prey relationships.
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Early Learning Center Partners with
Local Daycare Centers
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This month the Early Learning Center provided training to local daycare providers at the Early Learning Center. The training focused on how to integrate "STEAM" into literacy activities for infants, toddlers and pre-school age students. Teachers were giving age appropriate materials for their classrooms and taught the best ways to use the materials. Everyone had a great time learning about hands-on activities. This training was funded by the L4GA grant.
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Sign In to Infinite Campus Today
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We have implemented a new online student information system, Infinite Campus, to better meet the needs of our staff, students and parents. The Infinite Campus Parent Portal will replace PowerSchool and will provide up-to-date information regarding students' grades, attendance and behavior. It also will serve as a means for delivering important messages or announcements from teachers and administrators.
Parents can create accounts by downloading the "Campus Parent" app from either the Google Play or Apple app stores and following the on-screen instructions to create your account. Parents can also
visit our website at
baldwincountyschoolsga.org
and click the
"Infinite Campus"
button under the "Parents" tab.
This process will require an activation key that can only be delivered to parents in-person. Parents should stop by their school's front office during regular office hours to get the activation key.
Students can also use the "Campus Student" app to keep track of their growth and progress. There is no need for an activation key for students as they simply "Log in with Google".
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Download the MyStop App Today!
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Never worry about where your child's bus is ever again! Thanks to new and innovative technology that the Baldwin County School District has invested in, parents of our students can now get real-time updates of their child's bus location through the MyStop app, available for download in the iTunes or Android marketplaces.
MyStop provides parents, and parents only, a live look at their child's bus while in transit using GPS technology. Parents can see the exact location of the bus as it's moving along it route and can even provide an estimated time of arrival. Download today!
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District Social Media Links
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Follow the links below to all of the social media networks for our respective schools in the district. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are the best ways to stay up to date with the latest news and happening in all of our schools. Give us a like or a follow and help share all the good news that is happening in the district every day!
Click the link below to access the Baldwin County Board of Education Board Meetings, Policies, Communications, and About Us. Our District Strategic Plan/School Improvement Plans are currently being revised for 2018-2023.
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/index.aspx?S=4007
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Georgia College Early College
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