At Covington High , which serves nearly 750 students in grades 9-12 in West Tennessee , a collaborative , teacher-focused atmosphere ensures that instructors are respected , treated as experts in their field , and encouraged to work together closely . The resulting culture is highly conducive to innovation , instructional risk-taking , and development of leadership .
Covington students , in turn , benefit academically and personally . The school has narrowed achievement gaps while raising algebra proficiency rates . Covington ’ s students have made strong gains in English II and tremendous gains in Algebra I and II over the past three years . Covington was the SCORE Prize high school winner in 2012 , 2013 , and 2014 .
“ We treat our faculty as the professionals they are ,” said Principal Mark McClain . “ Once teachers enter our building , they feel that sense of family .”
The school has low levels of attrition and very little turnover . When Mr . McClain became a Covington teacher in 2005 , he was one of 17 new faculty members . Last year , however , there was just one . Teachers tend to stay for extended careers at Covington .
WE ’ RE ONLY AS SUCCESSFUL AS THE SUPPORT
WE HAVE -Mark McClain
positioned to join a building leadership team that meaningfully supports instruction .
“ It ’ s about trust with your faculty , understanding that they are the content experts . As administrators , you have to trust them to teach the classrooms ,” Ms . Blackley said . “ We expect that
“ We have more people wanting to get in the door than wanting to get out the door ,” said Brandi Blackley , assistant principal at Covington .
Covington offers outstanding leadership opportunities for teachers , allowing staff to grow while remaining at the school . Ms . Blackley was initially hired as an English teacher at Covington , then took on an instructional coaching role that allowed her to continue some classroom work while helping colleagues and serving as a parttime administrator . Now in her first year as a Covington assistant principal , Ms . Blackley is well
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