It is time for extraordinary principals in our state who are members of MAESA and have five years or more experience to apply for the 2009 National Distinguished Principal recognition.

Applications can be downloaded from the NAESP website. Applications should be submitted to the Executive Director, Dr. Carolyn McGehee, no later than January 31, 2009. At that time the selection committee will meet to choose Mississippi's NDP recipient.

Mississippi can select a recipient from both the elementary and middle school ranks. If selected, it is an experience that is "life changing" according to the 2008 NDP, Dr. Lisa Lucius from Pontotoc County.

See the related story on the website.

Please join other Northeast Mississippi Principals for an hour of networking and sharing.
You do not have to be a member of MAESA to attend.

BY GINNY MILLER Daily Journal

When she was principal of Pontotoc Elementary School, Carolyn McGehee was in charge of one school, dozens of teachers and 560 students. Her responsibility has expanded now that she's executive director of the Mississippi Association of Elementary School Administrators.

"It's a huge difference," said McGehee, who retired in June 2007 and became the MAESA's first paid executive director this May. "I used to support 70 staff in their learning and growing. Now it's across the state. It's a larger school.'"

With 17 years of administrative experience in her education career, McGehee said she's up for the challenge. Among her first goals is increasing membership and developing a MAESA Web site, which will be up and running Aug. 15.

BY GINNY MILLER Daily Journal

ECRU - Known for her smart suits and high heels, "prissy principal" Lisa Lucius has a new title - Mississippi's National Distinguished Principal.

"You are the sum of all the people and things that touch your life, and my staff and my students have done that," Lucius, principal of North Pontotoc Elementary School for six years, said at a surprise celebration Thursday in the school gym. "Every day, boys and girls, you fascinate me," Lucius said. "I love each and every one of you."

The award comes from the Mississippi Association of Elementary School Administrators, which director Carolyn McGehee said also considered principals from Olive Branch, Jackson and the Gulf Coast.

"It was a pretty rigorous process," McGehee said. "You're looking for integrity, character and leadership both in your school and community."

Barry Goolsby, of Myrtle Elementary School, is now serving as President of MAESP.

Barry is a 1982 graduate of Blue Mountain High School. He was chosen Mr. Blue Mountain High School. He was a three-sport athlete. He attended Northeast Community College, and received BS degrees in Biological Science and Physical Education from the University of Mississippi in 1986. In 2001, he received his M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Roma Morris was selected to represent Mississippi as the 2007 NAESP National Distinguished Principal and was honored by NAESP in Washington, D.C. in November 2007.

Dr. Morris is a graduate of Magee High School. She received an AA degree from Jones County Junior College, a B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi, an M.Ed. from William Carey University, and a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University. Roma did not begin her college career until she was 29 years old and a single mother. She remembers working 3 part time jobs, going to school with a full load, and raising her daughter. Her perseverance was truly tested during these years, but she says, “If you make your mind up you are going to do something and keep your eye on the ball, no matter how painful, you can do anything!” Both Roma and her daughter graduated in 2005. Roma graduated with a Ph.D. from Mississippi State, and her daughter graduated from high school as valedictorian of her senior class. What a story they have to tell!!!

Roma has years of teaching experience in Simpson, Smith and Forest Counties. Roma has been an administrator for 13 years and presently serves as principal at Pearl Lower Elementary School in Rankin County. During the 2 years she has served as administrator of Pearl Lower Elementary, academics have taken a turn for the best. Students are excelling, teachers are meeting in professional learning communities, changes in how and what children are learning is a reality and the difference is seen in the hallways on a daily basis. A level of accountability is being realized by every educator in the building. Roma also presently serves as the President-Elect for the Mississippi Association for Elementary School Principals and serves on the Editorial Board for the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Her first article will be published in the January-February 2009 issue of Principal. She also serves on the review panel for NAESP and critiqued 50 proposals for the upcoming NAESP Conference 2009 which will be in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Morris also serves as an adjunct professor for Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Prior to coming to Pearl Lower Elementary, she served as an administrator in Smith and Hinds Counties. Under Dr. Morris’s leadership, Casey Elementary in Jackson, Mississippi, climbed to a level 5 accreditation, received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, was recognized for the MAAE School of Excellence Award, was named one of the 5 Model Whole Schools in the state, and also was in the top 25 school across the nation recognized for the National School Change Award from the Ford Foundation. While at Casey Elementary, Dr. Morris spoke to education majors at Millsaps College and provided professional development for classes at Casey for students at Mississippi College. She also presented at the MASA Conference and the TRAIN Conference. Dr. Morris and the Casey Staff also hosted Leadership Jackson as well as the Mississippi Leadership Academy for Principals. They also welcomed former Governor Ronnie Musgrove and William Winter and Mayor Frank Melton to their school.

Dr. Morris has received numerous awards and honors during her educational career including the 2008 Mississippi Woman Top Women Doers in Mississippi, 2007 MAAE Outstanding Administrator of the Year, 2005 Who’s Who in Executive and Business Women, 2005 Baptist Hospital’s Strong Women’s Award, 2004 Who’s Who in American Women, and 2000 Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

Being a member of educational organizations is important to Dr. Morris and she encourages others to be members of engaging organizations. She is a member of the Mississippi Association of Elementary School Principals, National Association of Elementary School Principals, Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education, Mississippi Professional Educators, Mississippi Association of School Administrators, and National Council of Teachers for Mathematics. Dr. Morris is a board member for MAAE, serves on the NAESP Editorial Advisory Board, and is President-Elect for MAESP.

Dr. Morris is also involved in several community efforts throughout the year including coordinating the Lights of Love Ceremony (American Cancer Association), modeling for Hearts of Hollywood (American Heart Association), coordinating fundraisers at Pearl Lower for Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital, working cooperatively with the Chi Omega Chapter at USM to raise funds for the Make A Wish Foundation, and serving as Mistress of Ceremonies for the Arts Front and Center Awards presentation. Dr. Morris has also spoken to the Pearl Kiwanis Club about education at Pearl Lower Elementary.

Dr. Morris resides in Simpson County. Her daughter, Whitney, is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi and a member of Chi-Omega.

All elementary and middle school principals in Zone 2 are invited to attend the first meeting of the 2008-2009 school year. The meeting will be held at Harvey's Restaurant in Tupelo beginning at 4:30 and ending by 6:00. After a brief program, participants may stay for dinner and network with fellow principals if they choose.

Zone 2 Director is Dr. Tina Joslin, Principal at Iuka Elementary. Please contact her for any questions at 662-423-9290.
Zone 2 counties are: Alcorn, Calhoun, Chickasaw. Itawamba, Lee, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, Tippah, Tishomingo, and Union

Tuesday, September 16th Dr. Tina Joslin, Iuka Elementary, hosted the first drive in conference titled "NO EXCUSES: Tips from Top Performing Principals". Barry Goolsby, Myrtle Elementary Principal and Vince Jordan, Myrtle High School Principal, were the presenters. Below is a comment from one of the attendees.

"I was very well pleased with the info. I collected Tuesday. Thanks for the lunch, excellent speakers, and the best ever school tour. After 31 years to be encouraged, challenged, & inspired was wonderful. This I would like to do after retirement. I aspire to encourage and challenge educators".
Thanks for a great day!
L Reed, Principal
Hamilton Elem. School
Hamilton, MS

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