Autrey Mill Faculty News    

November 26, 2012

“The real contest is always between what you’ve done and what you’re capable of doing.  You measure yourself against yourself and nobody else.”

Geoffrey Gaberino

News/Timelines/Due Dates

Governance Council Update – Our School Governance Council voting window is now open so please don’t wait to cast your vote!  From now until Sunday, December 2^nd you will be able to vote for your preferred School Governance Council representatives.

Please access the voting system by visiting our website at http://school.fultonschools.org/ms/autreymill/Pages/default.aspx

Click on the “Governance Council Elections - Vote!” icon to log in using your Fulton County Schools username and password and cast your ballot.  Thank you for taking part in this important process.  Happy voting!  The candidates complete bios are listed at the end of the blog.

 

Babies and Engagements – Congratulations to Lauren Tougas and family as they are expecting a baby.Her due date is June 23^rd. Congratulations to Wendy Milstead who became engaged over the break!

2013 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminars
Often cited as the best professional development experience for teachers, Gilder Lehrman's forty Teacher Seminars span a range of historical topics, from pre-colonial times to the present day. Led by eminent historians, the seminars are held at major educational and historical institutions with content that is intellectually rich and academically rigorous. This year, new coursework and assistance will help align seminar content with Common Core State Standards, appropriate for English language arts and history teachers. Each seminar is limited to thirty participants. Check out this year's offerings and submit your application now! Deadline: February 15.  

Free Money! – Don’t forget to submit your requisitions for PTA reimbursements.  The deadline is early December.

PRIDE -  This Friday, November 30^th will be a silent reading day for PRIDE.  Please continue to remind students about the “Stock the House” community service project with North Fulton Community Charities.  The last day to donate items will be Friday, December 7^th.  Donation boxes are in the media center.

Shout Out – A great big gobble, gobble to Tim  Anderson and crew for organizing the first AMMS Turkey 2K last week!  He even managed to arrange for beautiful weather.  A great time was had by all.  Thanks Tim!!!

 

Where is Livingston?

Kevin Cown says “Deep within the walls of Autrey Mill lives someone who is often not seen, nor heard, yet without her this building would not be able to function.  From scanning in all Checkpoints tests to distributing novels, she takes on whatever random task is given to her…always.  If you need anything, even if it is just a smile, she will be there for you  (Rembrandts anyone?).  Kathy Nagle deserves to have Livingston on her desk to keep her company.  After all, her office is where Debra used to be and has no windows and only the sounds of the girls’ bathroom flushing all day.  We appreciate you Kathy, and you deserve this!”

Happy Birthday

Debra Clark               December 1

Candidate Bios

One Year Term

Elizabeth Ferree

I have been a teacher with Fulton Schools for 9 years, both at the elementary and middle school level. I am also a parent of two children who have gone through Fulton County Schools, and I live in the AMMS school district. I am excited about Fulton County’s conversion to a charter system because it reflects the district’s commitment to increase student achievement. Being a Cohort 1 school gives teachers at AMMS a unique opportunity to help shape strategy during this initial stage, and to pave the way for other Fulton schools.

Erin Hoerr

I have great interest in the School Governance Council because the committee makes important decisions that directly impact the education of the students at Autrey Mill Middle School. I have been an educator at AMMS for 6 years in two different grade levels and am actively involved in various school programs. Some of my school roles have included: team leader, academic bowl coach, after school Extended Learning teacher, and a gender-studies class pilot program. I am interested in working to develop Autrey Mill’s strategic plans. Additionally, I will focus on the best uses of our fiscal resources as well as design innovative practices that align with the school’s needs.

Two Year Term

Allison Rose

I am currently in my second year at Autrey Mill Middle School teaching Visual Arts. I graduated college with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and continued to earn my Masters of Art in Teaching in Art Education. I have played various roles in the many communities I have been involved with. For example, as an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech, I served as an orientation leader responsible for guiding incoming students and their families through the transition into college. Throughout graduate school, I volunteered time at various elementary, middle, and high schools assisting teachers and earning valuable classroom experience. I currently serve AMMS as a member of the PRIDE committee.

The School Governance Council would allow me to serve on a committee in which I can take on the following roles: leader, volunteer, teacher, and active community member. As a teacher with a background in Industrial Design, I understand the importance of a well-rounded curriculum that supports the arts and humanities as well as the core academic classes. I truly enjoy working with students at the middle school level, and am excited for the opportunity to help increase student achievement at Autrey Mill as a member of the School Governance Council.

Stephanee Stephens

In order to be a change-maker within our school, to be a representative voice for my colleagues, and to be at the forefront of our system-wide charter roll-out, I am declaring my candidacy for the Autrey Mill Middle School Governance Council.

My desire to serve on the Autrey Mill School Governance Council is a natural progression from leadership roles I already have within our school. I teach 8^th grade Spanish, and am an 8^th grade team leader. I serve on the school leadership team, am the travel coordinator for the 8^th grade field trip, and work with PTA to plan and facilitate end of the year activities including our picnic and dance.

My experience as a teacher here at AMMS for the past 8 years has given me a clear view of where we have been as a school, and what we are striving towards as we look ahead. Daily we are cultivating students who are successful, ready for the challenges of the future, and enjoy learning! I feel very deeply that having an active and cohesive professional learning community, where ALL members are stakeholders is vital to student success

I am forward thinking in my approach to implementation of our FCS charter system transition, and was a supporter of our school’s decision to implement year one. I look forward to the opportunity to represent my colleagues and to bring their suggestions and point of view to the council.