An Open Letter to Students
Dear Students,
There are five things I really want you to understand before you enter my classroom. I genuinely believe that education makes all the difference in reaching your dreams. The work ethic, character, and knowledge you develop in school will benefit you whether you desire to be a CEO or a number 1 draft pick. If you ever question this, I have the statistics to show you that there are $1,000,000 worth of reasons to not drop out of high school and that your options only expand with the diplomas you earn. If you do not believe that college is an option for you, I will sit down with you and map out a plan for you to show you that you CAN earn a college degree regardless of any obstacle you think is in the way. I am always here to help you and will never refuse to assist you if you need me. I can help you more if you let me know in advance. It's hard to pass a test or complete a project the day it's due. Whether you need a pencil or help with a research paper, I come to school because I want to serve you. I am not required to provide you study hall, working lunch or friday finish. I do it because I want you to have as many chances as possible to get your work done. If none of the programs I offer help you, TELL me. I will create a program just for you. Your success in school is that important to me. I am not a liar. When I tell you that you can do it, it is because I am confident you can. I will never tell you that school is easy, but you should know that nothing worth having ever is. If you think I'm especially hard on you (or even that I pick on you), you should know that it is because I see your potential and will do everything in my power for the limited time I have to spend with you to not let you waste your talent. When you fail, I feel that I have failed. I don't like to fail, so I will keep pushing you until you get to experience how good success feels. Respectfully, Ms. Wilson Follow Me on Twitter! Click Above to Connect to Twitter
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A little bit about me...
What would YOU do if you won the lottery? Don't we all like to imagine what our life would be like if we beat the odds and were the lucky winner? In my fantasies of this happening, my home, car, and jewelry all change, but my job stays the same. That is how much I love what I do at Haynes Bridge Middle School.
Georgia has historically had unacceptable graduation rates with less than 70% of students receiving diplomas on time. Governor Sonny Perdue and State School Superintendent Kathy Cox placed a graduation coach in every Georgia high school during the 2006-07 school year. The high school initiative was a success with graduation rates that year improving to 72.3%. THE DECISION TO DROP OUT IS NOT MADE AT AGE 16; it is made by students much younger who consciously decide at some point in middle or elementary school that they are not committed to their education. Middle school graduation coaches were implemented in 2007-08 with the purpose of creating programs that ensure that every student enters high school with a foundation of study skills, organizational tools, and work habits that will allow them to be successful in high school and beyond. In 2007-08, the graduation rate rose again to 75.3% and improved in 2009-10 to 77.8%. While this trend is encouraging, our work is not done until every Georgia students receives a diploma! Budget restraints have caused some school districts to end the program, but our Fulton County Superintendent and School Board have continued funding of graduation coaches based on data supporting the positive effect the program has had on increasing student achievement. I have served as the Graduation Coach for HBMS for three years and find myself amazed each year as I watch the transformation of students who begin to take responsibility for their own learning and as a result experience enormous success. It is exciting to create programs and support students in creating habits that will lead to them being in a position to realize their dreams. Prior to being a graduation coach, I taught reading, social studies, math, language arts, and science at Crabapple Middle School. While I grew up in Alabama, my husband and I moved to Atlanta in 1995 and now consider this our home even though we still say "Roll Tide". Outside of the regular school day, I enjoy sponsoring several clubs at HBMS and am a Girl Scout Leader in the Roswell community. I am also the mother of two very active daughters so if you see someone who looks like me running around on the weekends - it's probably me so wave! Contact InformationEmail: wilson@fultonschools.org
Telephone: 770-740-7030 ext 129 |
Haynes Bridge Middle School 10665 Haynes Bridge Road Alpharetta, GA 30022 770-740-7030 770-667-2842 (fax)
