Dr.
Charles Lindsey, Superintendent
02-
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Date:
October 18, 2002
A
Knox County Principal is the Tennessee Principal of the Year
Robbie McGowan, Mooreland Heights principal since 1999, was chosen from a field of six finalists to be the state’s principal of the year. She has served with the Knox County School System in positions as a teacher, curriculum generalist and a principal since 1975.
"The purpose of this program was to recognize and reward the very best among Tennessee's educators," said Grace Grissom, founder of Mrs. Grissom's Salads and sponsor of the program. "I'm very proud of all of Tennessee’s educators and the positive impact they have on the lives of our children."
Nominees underwent a rigorous evaluation process by a selection committee to make it to the finals. "We let those closest to the educators tell us who is doing the best job," commented Faye Taylor, Commissioner of Education for the State of Tennessee.
“Robbie’s innovation, dedication and leadership have been instrumental to some rather dramatic improvements in student performance at Mooreland Heights,” said Knox County Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Lindsey. “One of the areas we are most excited about is the improvement in reading proficiency at the school. We are very proud of all of Robbie’s accomplishments and the accomplishments of the staff and students at Mooreland Heights Elementary.”
“I knew that the key to student achievement in all academic areas at our school was reading,” said McGowan. “ Therefore, the vision that came to be known as "Every Child, a Reader", became not only a goal, but also an initiative that would help our students become capable readers, as well as, readers by choice.”
“The results have been astonishing,” she said. “75 percent of our fourth graders attained proficient scores on the state writing assessment this past year. Additionally, our school had the highest overall gains of any other school in our system on the 2002 Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program Test.”
“Every Child, a Reader" pulled us together as a team by giving us a learning focus which is consistent and pervasive.” McGowan said. “We stopped talking about what our students could not accomplish, and started talking about what they could accomplish. Children began reading while waiting to go to class, during lunchtime, on the playground, and walking down the hall.”
The recognition includes a $5000.00 award to be used for improvement of the recipient’s school.
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Point of contact at Knox County Schools Public Affairs Office is Russ
Oaks, 594-1905