[0:25] On Friday night, it takes preparation. Play hard, play smart, play together. Focus. They're going to be a long game. It's 48 minutes. Discipline. We want to get Molly got every single play. And perseverance. You got to play for each other. You got to believe in each other. You got to believe in yourself. This school year, we're stepping up to help students achieve at a higher level. You just got to keep on playing the game. We're ready to win big. Let's go win the game.

[1:11] in county schools. It's Jamon.

[1:36] Hello, guests of Canada Schools, and welcome to a brand-new school year.

[1:41] We know that you are excited and ready, and we know that you have the skill and determination to make this year our best yet.

[1:49] As employees, you are an important part of the team. It's a big team of more than 3,800 people, and all of you have answered the call to work in public education

[1:59] and to be of service to students and their families.

[2:04] There is so much energy in our schools right now.

[2:06] I know you're feeling it.

[2:08] And I know you are channeling our shared commitment

[2:10] to fostering a welcoming, innovative, supportive,

[2:15] and fun environment where every student can learn and grow

[2:18] while enjoying everything that school has to offer.

[2:22] I will be back in a few minutes to share more with you.

[2:25] But now, it's time for our first quarter

[2:27] with Gaston County Principal of the Year, Dr. Jessica Mellon, from W.A.P. Greer

[2:32] Member.

[2:33] In spite of all, the first quarter is all about building momentum, establishing an early

[2:37] lead, managing the clock, and having no turnovers.

[2:40] Collin coincidental, but that really is what we strive to do.

[2:44] We want to come out of the gate strong with lots of energy.

[2:47] We want to get a jump start on building relationships, so quality teaching and learning

[2:50] can take place, and we want to get off to a good start with many victories to carry us through

[2:55] entire year, with no time for funbels or interceptions.

[3:00] Now, I could talk for hours about the great things happening here at WP Grim Middle School.

[3:05] Our new building, our new steam academy, and our new approach to ensuring higher student performance,

[3:12] our contributing to our success, and I could not be more proud.

[3:16] I'm also very proud of what's happening across guests and county schools.

[3:20] We've experienced winning ways in many areas, including Battle of the Books,

[3:25] The science and engineering fair, robotics,

[3:28] the spelling bee, bands, course, and the fine arts,

[3:32] JROTC and career and technical education.

[3:35] We've also had state championships and sports,

[3:38] including golf, wrestling, cheerleading,

[3:40] track-and-field, and basketball, plus many conference and regional titles.

[3:45] Without question, our students are winning through various academic, athletic,

[3:50] leadership, and extracurricular activity that are provided for them

[3:54] In the classroom, our educators are winning with instructional coaching, reviewing data, and working in professional learning communities to enhance collaboration and ensure that teaching is consistent, relevant and aligned to the standards.

[4:09] We want to have the best school year possible, and with each of you on the Gaston County Schools team, we will leave it all on the court and emerge as winners.

[4:17] In the second quarter, is important for football players to maintain rhythm, bolster the lead, and make adjustments.

[4:26] That sounds a lot like what's done in our schools.

[4:30] To experience a productive school year, we know that it requires a playbook,

[4:35] daily preparation, and the ability to push through the challenging times.

[4:39] Last spring, Gaston County Schools adopted a new strategic plan.

[4:44] It is our playbook for the next five years, which guides our focus, our work, and our decision-making.

[4:51] The strategic plan includes our vision, mission, and core values as well as six areas that are identified as priorities for Gaston County Schools.

[5:01] I'd like to highlight our priorities for you, and if you haven't had a chance to review our new strategic plan, I encourage you to do so by visiting our website.

[5:09] Academics and Higher Student Achievement must be our top priority. We want to motivate students through high-quality instruction

[5:17] so that they can achieve all of their goals.

[5:20] With the recent focus on budgets, financial stewardship has emerged as a crucial priority.

[5:26] I will talk more about the budget in just a moment,

[5:29] but we have realized that we must be strategic and how we use our financial resources.

[5:34] We are committed to maintaining our operational systems, including technology, in a way that is efficient and provides a safe environment.

[5:44] We are also committed to supporting the well-being of our students even when resources have become limited.

[5:51] Effective communication practices and community partners are crucial to our success.

[5:56] We need to support our community now more than ever, and with our community support, we can build a workplace culture where every employee feels valued, supported, and empowered to do the very important work of Gassy County Schools.

[6:12] The school budget has been a challenge for some time. The loss of code and low-well funds coupled with inflation and no additional financial resources forced us to make difficult decisions.

[6:24] Most notably, our workforce is smaller and you are very aware of it.

[6:30] We have fewer employees to serve the same number of students.

[6:35] I want you to know that I share your frustration and I regret that we are facing financial

[6:40] constraints.

[6:42] It is a serious problem that is hurting school districts across the state.

[6:47] I know that your jobs aren't easy and that you are taking an extra work to keep our schools

[6:52] running.

[6:53] I also know they are reaching the point where without more staff, we simply cannot operate

[6:59] like in previous years.

[7:01] It is disheartening and again I feel in your frustration.

[7:06] So please hear me when I say thank you.

[7:10] Thank you for the early mornings, long after news, and late nights.

[7:15] Thank you for agreeing to take on other responsibilities.

[7:19] Thank you for putting forth extra energy even when you feel like you can't give any more.

[7:26] And thank you for the hard work it takes to ensure our...

[7:30] Our students are receiving the education they need. I will continue to work with the Board of Education

[7:35] as we advocate for more school funding. Our schools deserve it. Our educated deserve it, and

[7:44] most important are students deserve it. Since I became superintendent, we've put much energy and effort

[7:50] into improving student achievement. We know the pandemic wreaked havoc on teaching and learning,

[7:56] And it has been difficult for gas to county schools to overcome the effects of learning loss.

[8:02] While I cannot share specifics with you right now, since test results won't be released until September.

[8:08] I'm happy to tell you that our overall student performance in growth data is showing upward trends.

[8:14] We are seeing steady and significant gains in reading, math, science, and overall academic growth.

[8:23] This is very encouraging, and it reflects the work you have done in our classrooms over the past year.

[8:31] Collectively, you accepted the challenge to embrace change. You welcomed the opportunity to look at teaching and learning

[8:38] differently, and you put strategies in place to move the needle. I am proud of what has been done

[8:44] and despite the budget other challenges we faced, you have made it happen. You made it happen in your classrooms,

[8:51] and you made it happen for our students.

[8:55] So in September, we will begin celebrating what you have achieved

[8:58] and I cannot wait to share with everyone what has been happening

[9:03] in gas and county schools when it comes to improved academic achievement.

[9:09] Gas and county schools is built on the shared belief that all students can learn and succeed.

[9:15] I want to say in advance how much I appreciate what you will do to support our students

[9:20] in the year ahead. Thank you for making a commitment now to follow in the playbook. Prepare

[9:26] for each day with intent and purpose, and keep moving forward, even during difficult situations.

[9:33] Famed football coach Vince Lombardi said, individual commitment to a group effort. That is what

[9:40] makes a teamwork. Whether you're returning player or a rookie joining our team for the first time,

[9:46] your commitment is the driving force behind our success.

[9:51] The best teams in sports do not win by accident.

[9:54] They achieve at higher levels because of preparation and practice,

[9:59] knowing the plays that work and relying on teamwork to cross the finish line.

[10:04] So, it is ready, set, go.

[10:08] The new school year is here and we are excited.

[10:11] Let's take the field together with a passion for public education

[10:15] and an unwavering commitment to all students in gas and county schools.

[10:20] No game is complete without the halftime show.

[10:23] So here's yours. I present you the Southwood High School March event.

[11:16] But half of the Board of Education, I want to welcome everyone to a new school year and say

[11:21] how much we appreciate our students, employees, families and community partners.

[11:27] It really takes all of us working together as a team to make school happen each and every day.

[11:33] The students in the marching band would tell you that teamwork ranks at the top of the list

[11:38] when it comes to putting on a great performance.

[11:42] Like the marching band, our teachers and staff have to be team players and bring leadership,

[11:47] talent, and energy to our classrooms.

[11:51] I'm extremely confident in our employability to give us a school year filled with meaningful

[11:56] teaching and learning.

[11:57] The Board of Education extends our best wishes to you for a productive and successful year.

[12:03] We want to thank you for being a part of Gaston County Schools team.

[12:27] My greatest success or achievement has been how well I think I've learned to communicate with people

[12:34] and just better become myself overall as a person and step up as a leader

[12:40] on not only in school grounds, but sports wise and class wise as well.

[12:47] I'm ready for my future. I'm ready to take the next step at the same time.

[12:52] But I know there's this school is really what.

[12:56] This staff, these students are really what helped me to become the first time I am today.

[13:01] I feel like if you don't know how to work any tools or

[13:04] be able to do anything, it's hard to do that. I'm not a lie for it.

[13:06] If you want to help somebody out, it's hard to do that as well.

[13:08] It's often like it's important to take these classes in high school, so if you graduate and you don't want to do

[13:14] carpentry, or anything like that, and you graduate, you'll still know how to work with the tools in the back.

[13:18] You're learning something new, you're trying to use in the future.

[13:22] Being in band to me, has been able to create a family with the people around me and truly create

[13:30] these relationships with my peers that truly can't be created anywhere else.

[13:34] In a typical learning, you'll probably

[13:36] the teacher will ask a question, you answer, and move on.

[13:40] But in a paedaya seminar, when you're in a circle,

[13:43] the teacher will ask a question, but as soon as

[13:46] one person answers, it doesn't stop.

[13:48] You have this, we get to see other people's answers too.

[13:52] In kindergarten, I was really shy,

[13:55] but paedaya helped me.

[13:57] So now, in third grade, I feel like I'm less shy,

[14:00] because of my day, like I had to talk.

[14:05] I think it helped me learn more

[14:08] because I can see from other people's perspectives.

[14:12] I'm glad that I was giving the opportunity

[14:14] to do this in the first place because I feel like

[14:17] I found a group of people were like,

[14:19] I can just be myself without worrying about being judged.

[14:22] I feel like there's a lot of opportunities

[14:23] to get from it.

[14:24] I didn't really have much experience with agriculture,

[14:27] but I feel like now that I've taken the class,

[14:32] I feel like I have more opportunities

[14:33] and I can get more jobs in the future.

[14:35] I like how I'm able to show my sony what I've learned

[14:40] at home and be able to express how much I love music.

[14:45] Well, I've always been interested in guitar,

[14:47] so I thought it was cool to take a class

[14:48] and that the school offered it.

[14:49] It's definitely helped me be more confident and get out of my show.

[14:54] You get to be someone you never thought you could be,

[14:56] and it just gives you more opportunities in school and out of it.

[15:00] Hello

[15:23] guests and county schools. I am Erica Baird and I am honored to serve as a guest and county teacher of the year. I know you are ready to welcome our students back to class for the start of a brand new school year.

[15:36] 11 years ago, I was practicing law on Wall Street in New York City. I had a successful career advocating for my clients in the courtroom.

[15:43] When my family relocated to Gaston County, I decided to take a break from law.

[15:49] I wanted to do something different while still being an advocate for others.

[15:53] Doing something that had a longer impact on people weighed on my heart,

[15:57] so I applied for an interim teaching position at Bestemmer City High School.

[16:03] I will admit that my first days in the classroom were hard,

[16:06] but I quickly fell in love with teaching and have never looked back.

[16:10] Today, as a social studies teacher at Forest View, I am able to bring the efficacy skills

[16:16] from my law career into the classroom to teach students and prepare them to become

[16:21] civically engaged citizens.

[16:23] That I feel is my purpose, influencing my students now so they will be a positive influence

[16:29] on others in the future.

[16:31] My students often ask, you are a lawyer, why did you become a teacher?

[16:36] And I tell them that I would not be the teacher I am today without my past experiences.

[16:43] Every teacher brings knowledge, experience, and perspective to the classroom,

[16:48] and your students benefit from this.

[16:50] My work as a teacher is guided by the philosophy that it is my responsibility and privilege

[16:56] to help guide each student along their journey in recognizing their strengths,

[17:01] overcoming challenges, and achieving goals they haven't yet realized are possible.

[17:07] Teaching is built on the unwavering belief that every student can succeed, and it is our

[17:12] responsibility to help them reach their fullest potential. During challenging times,

[17:18] we have to be anchored in our purpose of doing what is best for our students' academic

[17:22] and social emotional growth. We have to drown out the noise, look beyond the controversy,

[17:28] and not let outside forces distract us from what we are called to do.

[17:33] We have to be there for our students and families, and we have to support each other,

[17:38] because our work is so very important to the future of our community.

[17:42] With that said, I believe we also have to stand up for public education,

[17:48] in productive, collaborative, and meaningful ways.

[17:51] We are a community of resilient, passionate professionals,

[17:54] and working together as a team, there is no limit to what we can achieve for our students,

[18:00] our community, and our profession.

[18:03] When I go home at the end of the day, I know the work we are doing as educators greatly

[18:08] influences the lives of our students.

[18:11] I enjoy my legal career, but it never gave me the fulfillment that teaching gives me each day.

[18:17] Helping students discover their voices and see the relevance of their education is the most

[18:22] meaningful advocacy work I have ever done so with the new school year upon us I know you will bring

[18:29] your best game each and every day. The green flag is about to drop and your tireless energy,

[18:36] your endless patience and your big hearts will make it possible to celebrate many victories.

[18:42] My hope is for every one of you to have an awesome rewarding and winning year and guests and county schools.

[18:48] The

[19:08] seers are here. This is our season to shine. This is our season to win.

[19:14] It came on! That's a tiny soul.

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