by Tony Herrington

On Education Day, Leadership Lumpkin members faced the nearly impossible feat of digesting and comprehending the services, curricula, special programs, and physical operations of the Lumpkin County School System, all in a three-hour morning session. Dewey Moye, Lumpkin County School Superintendent, started our day

by sharing mission, vision, and beliefs of the school system. Superintendent Moye answered questions and then introduced system level personnel who spoke about their duties and responsibilities. Greg Trammell, Director of Operations, explained his wide spectrum of responsibilities from student transportation, building and grounds maintenance and operations, to the planning and monitoring of new buildings and facilities.

Kim Seymour, Curriculum Director, reviewed the performance standards and curricula the school system is required to implement as directed by the Georgia Department of Education. She also discussed curriculum alignment in pre-kindergarten to elementary grades (K-5) and middle school grades (6-8), concluding with the high school grades (9-12). She ended her presentation with a look at the development of professional learning opportunities for all system faculty and staff personnel

Jan Komara, Special Programs Director, discussed the many special services that are offered by the school system. Ranging from programs for students with severe mental and physical disabilities to alternative school options for behavioral and academic deficiencies (Alpine, Phoenix, and the Mountain Education Center) to programs of study for gifted students, each level of the school system provides a free and appropriate education designed to meet the needs of all students enrolled in the Lumpkin County School System. Attentive and interested Leadership Lumpkin members asked perceptive questions and participated in meaningful dialogue with the presenters. The only way that the morning session could have enhanced was through additional time.

The afternoon sessions provided team members opportunities to visit Lumpkin Elementary, Lumpkin Middle, or Lumpkin High School. Education Day concluded with presentations about programs of study and other educational opportunities at North Georgia College and State University, along with the option to tour the growing campus that graces downtown Dahlonega’s landscape.

November 15, 2007

An Educator’s Perspective of Education Day

by Tony Herrington,Principal, Lumpkin County Elementary School

As the principal of Lumpkin County Elementary School and a member of Leadership Lumpkin 2008, Leadership Lumpkin provided me an opportunity to share information about services and needs that could benefit both students and community members. Seeing and hearing the interest and engaging conversations between community leadership members and school system leaders was refreshing to me as an educator. I always enjoy having the Leadership Lumpkin team visit Lumpkin County Elementary School and providing me the opportunity to showcase our students, faculty, and staff. Lumpkin Elementary is truly a school that provides great services for ALL students, in spite of the challenges facing today’s public schools. I welcome the opportunity to highlight the accomplishments our school and school system have reached as an educational team.

One of the most important players on our school system team is the Family Connection organization that provides support services to our students and families with needs. One of the programs we have worked together on is the Mentor Program. Volunteer mentors are screened, oriented, and placed with students to serve as role models and friends or to provide academic assistance. Our school has already benefited from a Leadership Lumpkin member who learned about our school and the mentoring program as a result of Education Day and is now serving as a mentor for LCES.

Lumpkin County Elementary and Family Connections are also working as a team to create service learning opportunities for our rising fifth grade students. The Service Learning Program will be implemented in the 2008-09 school year. Community support from adult volunteers and business resources will help us teach leadership skills and provide leadership experiences which will instill the concept that leading is about service, sacrifice, and perseverance. Leadership Lumpkin has reinforced this concept by promoting community resources and developing community leaders. There is no better place to begin modeling leadership than in the elementary school setting.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor or being a partner with our Service Learning Project, please contact one of the following persons:

• Tony Herrington, Principal for Lumpkin County Elementary - (706) 864-3254 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Matt Cole, Counselor for Lumpkin County Elementary - (706) 864-3254 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

• Gwen Brock, Family Connections Representative for Lumpkin County Elementary - (706) 864-3254 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Education Day: North Georgia College and State University

by Max Burns

At our arrival on the campus of North Georgia College and State University, the Leadership Lumpkin class was greeted by the Boar’s Head Brigade Pipers. The strains of the Scottish bagpipes filled the air as we made our way to the conference room of the Pennington Military Leadership Center for an afternoon of information sharing on higher education.

Col. (R) Billy Wells, Assistant to the President, discussed the history and mission of North Georgia. Col. Wells indicated that the University is one of the fastest growing universities in the University System of Georgia in both undergraduate and graduate programs. North Georgia programs enjoy widespread respect across the region, state, and nation. As one of only six Senior Military Colleges (SMC’s) in the nation, North Georgia is the Leadership Institution of Georgia and the Military College of Georgia. Col. Wells also shared the challenges the University faces in an increased military commissioning mission, student growth, program expansion, and campus housing needs.

Next, Dr. Donna Gessell, Executive Director of Regional Engagement, briefed the class on North Georgia’s efforts to reach beyond the campus and serve the greater region. Dr. Gessell pointed to North Georgia programs offered in Gainesville, Cumming, Blairsville, and Toccoa as examples of initiatives offered outside North Georgia’s home campus. Degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels are offered in nursing, business, and education in a variety of locations to meet the needs of north Georgia communities.

In addition to degree programs, non-degree professional and continuing education programs are offered in Dahlonega and a variety of communities across north Georgia. Dr. Jane O’Gorman, Director of Continuing Education, provided an overview of non-degree programs available through North Georgia. An ever-expanding component of the University, Continuing Education provides a vital service to the community.

After a brief refreshment break, the class split into two groups, the tour group and the shooting group. The cold, blustery day in Dahlonega meant only the hardy souls embarked on the campus tour. Tours were led by newly commissioned 2Lt’s on temporary assignment with Cadet Recruiting. During the tour, the class learned more history of the University, as well as the nuisances of a 135-year-old campus, and visited its historic buildings.

Meanwhile, the adventurous souls went to the Cadet indoor shooting range to try their hand at rifle and pistol shooting. Olympic Coach JP O’Conner, assisted by two of his top marksmen, provided instruction and supervision to the class. Everyone shot Olympic-style 22 caliber rifles and pistols. What a challenge! Talk about competitive! Congratulations go to Rob Jones–don’t get in a duel with Rob! Also, rumors circulated about “shooting out the lights” . . . literally! The groups then swapped places so that everyone had the opportunity to tour and to shoot, making for a colorful ending to a great day on education. Our thanks go to North Georgia!