Who’s new in school

ALBANY — Dougherty County School Superintendent Ken Dyer announced on April 25 that six new principals would take the helm of local schools, including three of the highest-performing schools in the area: Lincoln Elementary Magnet School, Lake Park Elementary School and International Studies Elementary Charter School. Shawn Davidson, Trina Muse and Lynn Janes, respectively, will serve at these schools.

SHAWN DAVIDSON

According to Davidson’s DCSS bio, his “broad experience in school districts across Georgia has led to student gains, (and he) will use his talents to motivate students toward their full potential at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School when he takes over as principal on July 1.”

Davidson has been an assistant principal, Early Intervention Program math specialist, certified staffing coordinator and an Education Quality Monitor for Georgia’s Department of Human Services.

Plan

“We’re going to progress-monitor, we’re going to ensure that we understand the ropes and the ins in reviewing our data with our data team. Distribute that data with the teachers so that they know the basis of their students’ performance, if any growth has gone on (or) if any work growth spurts have taken place. (We’ll look at) what forms of scaffolding we have (and) what forms of remediation we’re going to put in for next year. We’re just kind of refining things, going through our handbook, putting in new things for our student handbook (and) our teacher handbook.”

Confidence in Plan

“I’m very confident because we have competent people in place,” he said.

What He Will Focus On

“Just keeping instruction in the forefront, embracing Epiphany instruction methods and making sure that we’re following district mandates.”

TRINA MUSE

According to Muse’s DCSS bio, “her 20-plus years in education (have) centered on early childhood education (and she) will bring her talents to the Dougherty County School System as principal at Lake Park Elementary.”

Muse is a former teacher of the year and a nominee for Disney’s American Teacher Award. She holds a specialist degree in educational leadership, a doctorate in educational leadership, and a master’s degree in education.

Plan

“I don’t know exactly how things run right now. I haven’t been a part of that, but I feel pretty certain that the staff and the parents have the same views and the same desires for the kids of Lake Park as I do. I want for us to help students at Lake Park to identify their passion and then set goals for their lives; and for us, as adults, our role is to support them in developing the academic skills and the social skills to be able to reach those goals in their (lives). To be able to reach their very, very fullest potential as adults. We’re always looking at the big picture, looking at their success in life as an adult.”

Confidence in Plan

“I’m very confident in it,” Muse said. “I really believe that because of the things I’ve heard about the staff and parents at Lake Park, I really believe that they have that very same mindset.”

What She Will Focus On

“What I want to do is get a good understanding for where the parents and the staff think improvements need to be made. I don’t know about what needs to be improved upon. I just want us all, as the Lake Park family, to work together to make (the school) the very best it can be. It has a tradition of excellence. It’s known for that, and I want that to continue and for us to work together to just keep on pushing it higher and higher.”

LYNN JANES

According to Janes’s DCSS bio, “The head of the Dougherty County School System’s Curriculum and Instruction Department will use her wide range of talents to take one of the district’s top-performing schools to even greater heights.”

She has been a teacher, a K-12 mathematics coordinator and directed research, evaluation, assessment and accountability in both Lee County and Bibb County. Janes is certified in educational leadership, 6-12 mathematics, gifted education, instructional supervision and holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction.

Plan

“First thing I want to do is actually have a meeting with the faculty. Of course, I will follow their school improvement plan, (we’ll) look at it together. Basically, the first thing that I need to do is really get to know the faculty and staff at the school.

“I’ll take a lot of guidance from Dr. (Zeda) George as she’s going out. Look at the data as we’re getting that in to see if there’s anything that needs to happen. Like most (school improvement) plans here in the district, it’s always working on increasing the achievement of the students and making sure that we meet all the needs of the students. A lot of our students come to school with needs beyond academics. So we want to make sure that we meet the needs of the students as well as the academic achievement.”

Confidence in Plan

“(I’m) very confident, very confident,” said Janes. “As of last year, International Studies was the highest-scoring CCRPI (College and Career Ready Performance Index) school in the district. It’s a great school. Not much really needs to change. Granted, even though it was the highest score, in the 70s, we want to continue to improve.”

What She Will Focus On

“The only thing that I know of at this point (that we’re going to add to the plan), because we’re still in the process of working on the school improvement plan for next year, would be continued focus on improving the IB (International Baccalaureate) aspect of the school. That’s really it. I’m (also) trying to do some more outreach with our Hispanic students. We have a large Hispanic population.”