James Clemens High School, Madison, News, RSS Facebook, RSS General, Schools
 By  GreggParker Published 
1:21 pm Thursday, September 27, 2012

James Clemens faculty encourages engagement, learning by doing

Cookie-cutter teachers don’t exist at James Clemens High School. Assistant principal Heather Donaldson believes the faculty is blending new recipes for student success.

Principal Dr. Brian Clayton and other administrators want every individual to assume a leadership role — students, staff, faculty — and have established “content and pod leads,” Donaldson said.

Similar to a department chair, a content lead builds collaboration and support within the department. “Pod leads manage phenomenal resources in each pod, like the student project room and resource room, and promote engagement and collaboration across the curriculum,” Donaldson said.

Content and pod leads assist with “school-level, embedded professional development, which (engages) students in the classroom,” she said.

James Clemens’ faculty thrives from its diversity. Some teachers have worked many years in the system, while others have relocated from California, Colorado and Georgia, bringing unique experiences and ideas.

“We’re all starting together,” Donaldson said.

Donaldson acknowledged Leah McRae, science department and biomedical program lead. “Mrs. McRae brings learning to life in her classroom. Students play an active role by becoming the ‘scientists’ themselves.”

McRae’s students learn to use equipment and interpret results — learning by doing. “They’re experiencing it themselves, not by the teacher ‘telling’ them,” Donaldson said.

Daniel Whitt works as media specialist, mentor for instructional technology and broadcasting teacher. “Mr. Whitt’s students don’t merely sit on the side and watch him,” she said.

Whitt guides his students through every step of the production process to become masters of this art. Last year at Liberty Middle School, Whitt’s broadcasting class created the student-driven ‘I Am Human'” video. “This video speaks to individuals on so many different levels and drives home that we’re all different … valuable … human,” Donaldson said.

Whitt also has used “amazing techniques” to found the JETS Press. “Mr. Whitt goes beyond the classroom and reaches out to his colleagues to help them feel more comfortable with integrating technology into their classrooms,” she said.

In his world history class, Coach Clint Woodfin “puts discovery, research and discussion in the students’ hands. His students … share and learn through Twitter, speeches, debates, silent movies, monologues and trials,” Donaldson said.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *