I have been a teacher and administrator for 19 years. I have taught in Homewood City and Hoover City, and I have been an assistant principal in Shelby County at Oak Mountain High School for the past 4 years. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Samford University and my doctorate in educational psychology from Alabama. I have been involved in AP throughout my career, and I love what the program offers for students. I have taught AP Psychology, and I have served as a reader and table leader for the AP Psychology Exam for 10 years. I have been the AP Coordinator at Oak Mountain, helping administer over 1200 exams to around 450 students each year.
To me, a strong AP program offers students the opportunity to stretch themselves, and by stretching, they build the skills they need to be successful in whatever path they choose after high school. I believe teachers of AP also stretch themselves. The classroom becomes a partnership between the teacher and students, with each challenging the other to go above and beyond. A comprehensive AP program also includes teachers in Pre-AP, middle, and elementary schools and students preparing to take AP. Such a program builds a culture in which students can thrive.
We in the A+ College Ready office are excited about seeing the scores on the AP Exams this week! We know how hard teachers and students worked this year to be prepared to take the exams, and we are on pins and needles waiting for the scores to be released for schools. We already know we have much to celebrate! No matter how many qualifying scores we will see this week, I know the students in this program have already reaped amazing rewards as they built knowledge and skills they need to be successful in anything they decide to pursue. I am looking forward to applauding the efforts of you and your students!
Here’s to more stretching and success in 2013-2014!
