Successful vs. Unsuccessful

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From Michael Smith's blog.

Congratulations to Lisa Smithson!

This afternoon, the Howard County Board of Education appointed Lisa Smithson to the position of Principal of Wilde Lake Middle School. I couldn't be more pleased by this decision and I know Lisa will do an outstanding job.

I have had the pleasure of working with Lisa for the past 12 years. I first met her when I was newly promoted to Principal of Elkridge Landing Middle. At that time, she served in the role of a 6th grade English teacher. At ELMS, she also served as the Alternative Education teacher. In 2008, she was promoted to Assistant Principal at Wilde Lake Middle. A year later, we were reunited when I was transferred to Wilde Lake Middle as Principal.

Over the past three years, Lisa has done an outstanding job as my administrative partner. I am thrilled that she will take over the leadership of the school and take WLMS to even greater heights.

Congratulations Lisa!!! Your promotion is well-deserved.

Digital Natives

Some News About Me

Recently, I was selected to serve as the new Instructional Director of Middle Schools for the Frederick County Public School System. In my new role, I will be responsible for helping to lead the Frederick County middle schools as they meet the challenges of implementing the new Maryland Common Core State Curriculum, implementing the new teacher and principal evaluation processes, as well as other school reform initiatives that have been adopted by the state. I am very excited to be given the opportunity to work with the Frederick County Public Schools, but equally sad to leave the students, staff and the friends I have made here in the Howard County Public School System.

It has been my honor and privilege to serve the WLMS community, first as an assistant principal in the late 90’s, and most recently as principal. I want to thank the staff, students and community of WLMS for their support, hard work and dedication that has been demonstrated during my time here. Without question, WLMS is a very special school because of the students, staff and community. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished together over the past three years, including: developing the Wilde Lake Way, raising MSA scores, improving staff morale, piloting netbooks and the Inquiry and Innovation Reading modules, implementing a data conversation protocol (CFIP) that helps improve instruction, creating new partnerships like TriColumbia, updating and improving the facility and showcasing all of the amazing things that happen at the Lake each and everyday.

I also want to recognize those students, staff and colleagues that I have worked with in other schools, including: Owen Brown Middle, Patuxent Valley Middle, Mount View Middle and Elkridge Landing Middle. My 25 years in the Howard County Public School System have been a wonderful experience and I will most certainly miss all of the friends and colleagues I have made over the years. The impact you have had on me and my family is invaluable and ever-lasting.

Once again, thanks to those people with whom I have had the opportunity to work and for allowing me to be apart of your lives. It has been my pleasure and profound honor.

Air Traffic as Seen From a Satelite

Education Olympics

by lemonwood_design.Browse more data visualizations.

Source: http://bit.ly/1D8uMbA

by FederalStudentAid.Browse more infographics.

NASA's Top 5 Landsat Images

Stephen Ritz: A teacher growing green in the South Bronx

http://www.ted.com/talks/stephen_ritz_a_teacher_growing_green_in_the_south_bronx.html

WLMS's Renovations Begin!

This summer, WLMS is receiving minor renovations to the art room, media center and band & chorus rooms. We are very excited about all the work that has begun this week. Here are some pictures thanks to our ace photographer, Mrs. Yetter!

WLMS's Geocaching Shark Makes it to California

"Well it took it over a year to get there, but the travel bug my 7th grade Geography class set in motion from Columbia, Maryland, finally made it to California!" 

Mrs. Thomas, WLMS Social Studies Teacher

Check out the "Shark's" travels here: http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?tracker=TB40P0J

 

Way to go Mrs. Thomas and all of her students!