Educators Back in Classroom for Principal's Institute

While schools are closed for the Summer many teachers and administrators head back to the classroom. MPB's Patty Davis reports on the Annual Principal's Institute.

Most teachers and Administrators take a break from the classroom over the Summer months, but every year, several dozen gather at Millsaps College to share ideas and programs that could improve the quality of education for Mississippi students. First time participant, Sammy Mac Lauren is Assistant Principal at J.D.McLain H.S. in Lexington.

MacLauren: The biggest obstacle I think to achieve the goal of getting everybody to have a quality education is for each and everybody within a school system and a district school building is to be able to work together. Be able to come together and form a team to create a positive environment.

For, Suzanne Conquest, Principal of McLauren Elementary in Florance, the Institute served as a valuable retreat.

Conquest: Realizing so much the importance of passion and knowing what you need in order to really lead. The passion that you need and the purpose that you need. Just being able to revisit that and have time to reflect on that so that you are renewed for the upcoming year.

One educator that has seen Mississippi classrooms change over the years is Madison Ave Upper Elementary Principal Rick Rawls.

Rawls: Aw, I think that's moved hundreds of miles.

He says the credit goes to the teachers.

Rawls: We're more mindful of trying to move all students up. It's really advanced. I remember when I was in school, they presented the material, and you either got it or you didn't. Now teachers want to be held accountable for what they do. They're proud of what they do.

64 teachers and administrators from across the state,attended this year's Principal Institute. For MPB News, I'm Patty Davis.