Samantha Carter (SC) | TK-5 Eddie Scruggs Smith (ESS) | 6-8
Tell us about yourself? SC: Born & raised in Salinas, Ca., I attended UC Irvine for my B.A. in Psychology, Cal State Teach for my Teaching Credential, and UC Berkeley for my MA in Education and Administrative Credential. I have worked as a teacher in my hometown of Salinas and in administrative roles at both the elementary and middle school level in Oakland Unified School District and Pittsburg Unified School District. ESS: Born in Arkansas, I grew up in San Francisco & Oakland. I attended Sonoma State University: BA American Multicultural Studies, University of Phoenix: MA Education, and UC Berkeley: MA Education and Administrative Credential. I have had the pleasure of working in administrative roles at Stege Elem. (TK-6), Lafayette Elem. (K-5), and San Leandro High School (9-12).
What are the most important things you want parents (& students) to know about your behavior & academic expectations? Both SC & ESS: We hold high academic and behavior expectations for all students that is based on a positive & fun learning environment as well as being respectful, being responsible, and being safe. Academically, we are preparing them for all for 12th grade graduation and beyond by practicing and providing students with academic language, complex text, and writing with facts and evidence; providing access to curriculum in a tangible way that allows them to explore multiple modalities of learning.
How do you plan to include parents in the school? Both SC & ESS: We will meet both formally and informally regularly during School Site Council, English Language Advisory Committee, Coffee with the Principal, etc. Informally we will be available daily in the cafeteria and in front of the school to answer any questions you may have. Our goal is to create short and long term goals that will always include what parents would like to see for their children at their school. Can you share your experience with PBIS and how you believe you can help AY move forward, building on the planning and work done last year? Both SC & ESS: With both of us having previously worked with PBIS, we understand that there have to be short & long terms goals when beginning to implement the program school wide so that we can ensure long term success. Working with PBIS should include all stakeholders working together to help develop & implement the behavioral expectations with the purpose being to create a fun & positive learning environment.
Last thoughts... We are very excited to become members of the Emery Unified community! These goals can be achieved when all of our community members (students, staff, and parents) work collaboratively and consistently to observe then develop systems to best support student achievement. We are looking forward to creating systems that will create the best outcomes for their children based on a proactive stance where we end up with less referrals, a safe and consistent learning environment & more time on high level instruction.
