Looking Back to Move Forward

This past Wednesday, the WLMS staff participated in a "history mapping" activity designed to capture the many success of our school. This activity was led by Tom Payne, Coordinator of the Howard County Public Schools' Advanced Programs and Fine Arts and Razia Kosi who works in our Cultural Proficiency Office. During the hour and half session, staff members were given the opportunity to identify the year they came to the school and were grouped with people of the same era. Once they were grouped, participants were invited to share the highlights and issues that were important the year they began working here at WLMS. Once the staff had a chance to talk in small groups, they were brought back together as a large group to discuss the history from their perspective

As different eras presented, Tom and Razia captured our history on the large map posted on the back of the stage. It was amazing to hear the various stories that were told and how newer staff members began to understand the proud history and traditions of our school.

At the end of the faculty meeting, we talked as a staff about how we will move forward and build on the proud history of WLMS. In addition, staff members were given the opportunity to write a "Dear Me" letter to themselves talking about their goals for the year and how they will help WLMS move forward successfully.

I thought it was an outstanding activity to do this week since I am the new leader of this school. By the end of the meeting, I had a better understanding of where our staff has been, some the of the issues we will need to discuss, and provided me with thoughts and ideas of how we will move forward as a school. I want to thank Tom and Razia for their group facilitation talents and the time they shared with us. I also want to thank the WLMS staff for participating in this powerful activity and creating such a powerful history map of WLMS. The map will be on display at our 40th Anniversary Celebration scheduled for October 15th.