“We got in! I’m so glad that we are going to Wiley next year.” It’s a
beautiful spring evening for the “Welcome Rising 6th Graders to
Wiley Magnet” Event. Cars are up piling up in our limited parking
lot. Teachers are greeting our guests with smiles and hugs.
Community Partners are lined up on our back lawn area with
swag, brochures and banners. PTA Parents are meeting, greeting
and barbecuing.
This is a scene that would have never happened six years ago at
Wiley. Then, it was Wiley Middle School. Now, we are Wiley
Magnet Middle School. Our Magnet Theme is STEAM. The school
vision is now “Inspiring Innovative Minds with STEAM.” Currently,
we have students on a Magnet School Waiting List.
As I reflect upon this six-year journey, I am filled with many
inspirational and uplifting moments resonating from the halls of
Wiley. We are the only school in our district with STEAM as a
magnet school theme. Additionally, we are a Title I School with a
beautifully eclectic population.
STEAM is a mindset approach in which we deliver
standards-based instruction. As a principal and lead learner of a
school, I have marveled at the amazing and creative things
happening in our classrooms from Mystery Skypes to ProblemBased Learning Experiences. We have had guest artists interact
with our students courtesy of our partnership with a local art
museum known as SECCA (Southeastern Center for
Contemporary Art). All of these experience are vital for any school
implementing STEAM.
What matters most is having the right people on board with the
vision. Wiley’s success is due in part our people. What I mean by
that is having a team of teachers in support of our vision. The
vision for STEAM to inspire innovative minds served as a catalyst
for a positive change in our school.
“What matters most is having the
right people on board with the
vision.”
29