They did it in different ways, but the message was the same as teachers from the Columbia and Marion County school districts prepared for the start of school this week.
In Columbia, students head back to the books on Monday, and Marion County students will follow suit on Tuesday. This week, each district hosted a day of preparation.
On Wednesday, Marion County School District teachers, administrators and staff all gathered at East Marion’s campus for a day of education and fun.
“Each year that I served as a principal, I worked with my staff to pick a focus word,” Marion County Superintendent Wendy Bracey said. “We used this word to keep focused all year. It was a fun practice. So I have chosen to do the same at the MCSD.”
Bracey said the leadership team at the district read the book titled “GRIT – The Power of Passion and Perseverance.”
“The book, written by Angela Duckworth, shows anyone striving to succeed — be it parents, students, educators, athletes, or business people — that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion and persistence,” Bracey told the group.
As such, the district’s focus word this year is grit, and Bracey challenged teachers to help instill endurance, passion and perseverance into their students.
During the convocation Marion County teachers played a variety of games to encourage collaboration and allow people to get acquainted.
On Thursday at Columbia High, the focus on preparations was the same, but the methodology was a little different. Superintendent Jason Harris discussed highpoints of the previous school year and then spoke of the enthusiasm surrounding the district.
“It’s great to have renewed Wildcat spirit,” he said. “We hope to continue this with community-wide tailgates and pep rallies. We’re bringing back the homecoming parade.”
In the Columbia School District, this year’s theme is “Gold Rush 2018 – A Rush Like Nothing Before.”
“It will be a year like nothing before,” Harris added. “There is no telling where our district is headed.”
Mayor Justin McKenzie addressed the Columbia educators and thanked them for their efforts.
“We’re very proud of the school district,” he said. “We’re very proud of you. It’s good to hear the excitement around town surrounding the schools. There is excitement about football and baseball, new classes and improving scores. We can’t wait to see what happens.”
In Columbia, the group of teachers assembled listened as newspaper cartoonist, author and radio and television personality Marshall Ramsey entertained and inspired them using his cartoons and humor.
Ramsey said he was encouraged by a teacher to become a cartoonist.
“After my first cartoon, I was in the principal’s office,” he said. “You’ll have days that are full of paperwork, staff meetings, chaos and that one kid you have to spend 80 percent of your time with, but your kids are looking up to you. You are artists.”
Ramsey spoke about inspiration and planting seeds in students’ hearts.
“Our kids in Mississippi are some of the most talented kids you’ll ever come across,” he said. “There are great kids in this state. We can all make a huge difference.”
The longtime Clarion Ledger editorial cartoonist left all with one wish: “I hope you have an awesome school year.”
Caption: East Marion High School Principal Cindy Newsome, left, Elementary Principal Chase Robbins and Sarah Gatewood lead cheers at the county convocation Wednesday.
