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Grades are complete, posters have been taken off the wall, computers have been disassembled, laptops have been checked in for maintenance, desks have been cleared off for summer cleaning. It is time for summer break! Most staff try to put on a great face for kids and parents but underneath they are tired. The last few days of the school year demand incredible amounts of time and energy. Adrenaline and coffee is helping some across the finish line.
Recently I walked into a school gym of another district. The district was struggling to meet budget and it was apparent that funds had been pulled from maintenance. The gym looked rough! The floor had little wax left because it had been several years since it was re-coated. The walls had paint peeling, and the carpet in the lobby was threadbare in heavy use areas. I tried to look past the conditions of the facility and focus on the joy, fun, and memories that had occurred in the room. I thought how the room had paid a heavy toll but the benefit to kids was worth every scratch, skid mark, broken light, etc...
That gym is a bit like a Willard Teacher, Administrator, or Staff Member at the end of the year. Physically tired, worn around the edges, and in need of TLC and maintenance. Emotional fuel tanks of staff members are running low. However, I have an incredible belief in teachers, and especially Willard Teachers. After a bit of time off for themselves and their families, they will begin thinking about their "new kids" they will greet in the fall. They once again become excited about the opportunities to help students learn and succeed. Their internal fuel tank begins to fill to capacity and once again they are ready in the fall to give it all back to kids.
I have always been told it is not how you start but how you finish. I want to finish similar to the old gym. I look in the mirror and the person looking back appears tired, scratched, and beat up due to the heavy toll. However, I notice that the person in the mirror is smiling with the satisfaction that the sacrifice was worth the reward for kids!
Willard staff is full of educational champions! Go get filled up!
Enjoy the summer!!!
Dr. Medlin
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We capped off this great school year in style with a full week of activities. Thank you to Coach Luciana Brown for organizing an exceptional Field Day. Despite the cool temps and rainy week, students enjoyed nearly 20 different activities (fishing, slip and slide, Vortex Cannon, kiddie pool kickball and human foosball just to name a few!). Thank you to all of the volunteers and staff members for helping make this event such a wonderful memory for our students!
At our final assembly, we also recognized our Teacher and Staff Members of the Year. These individuals are nominated by peers and parent input. Our Teacher of the Year was Mrs. Kayla Owen from 1st grade. Mrs. Owen has taught at WC for 8 years and was nominated for going above and beyond to meet the needs of her students to help them succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Mrs. Christy Tree received the Staff Member of the Year award. Mrs. Tree served this year as a Kindergarten Instructional Aide providing individual and small group support to students. Her smile, positive attitude and desire to jump in and help any student or staff member in need were repeatedly mentioned in her nominations. 
