Board recognizes principals’ achievements

MADISON – At their Nov. 30 meeting, Madison Board of Education recognized three Madison principals for individual honors and achievements reached by teachers and staff on their campuses.

Principal Carmen Buchanan from Mill Creek Elementary School, Dr. Daphne Jah from West Madison Elementary School and Dr. Georgina Nelson from Heritage Elementary School recently received professional honors. Judy Warmath, Coordinator of Elementary Instruction for Madison City Schools, introduced the principals and discussed their honors.

Buchanan invited a group of Mill Creek teachers to the meeting for a brief presentation on the school’s prestigious recognition by the nationally known Ron Clark Academy. “Teachers told how participation in the Ron Clark leadership program transformed the culture of the school among both teachers and students,” MCS Public Relations Manager said.

The Mill Creek entourage aired a brief video and entered the boardroom to the sounds of upbeat music demonstrating the type of fun teaching that has been occurring at Mill Creek. “Teachers used words like ‘revolutionary,’ ‘electrifying,’ ‘game changer’ and ‘mindshift’ in explaining how the new strategies have gotten students and teachers more engaged in learning concepts,” Peck said.

The Mill Creek team recently returned from Atlanta for recognition as one of only six schools nationwide that the Ron Clark Academy has showcased. While in Atlanta, the Madison teachers met celebrity Oprah Winfrey.

Jah’s honor originated with the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators, which recognized her as Distinguished Principal for District 10. In past years, Jah’s colleagues have named her Teacher of the Year at West Madison and in Madison County Schools. She received Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity’s humanitarian award and written and earned numerous grants.

Nelson’s honor from the Alabama World Language Association recognized her as 2018 Outstanding Administrator. Previously, Nelson worked for the Alabama State Department of Education for 10 years as an Education Administrator for Alabama Reading Initiative.

Nelson’s teaching experience in Madison County and Madison City Schools has included Title I teacher, classroom teacher for grades 5-9 and reading coach.