Mares Named 2004 Principal Of The Year
Ramsey named 2004 Assistant Principal of the Year
November 18, 2004 - The Wake County Public School System named Steve Mares of Joyner Elementary the 2004 Principal of the Year and Martha Ramsey of Middle Creek High Assistant Principal of the Year in ceremonies at the Exploris Museum in Raleigh. The awards ceremony is sponsored by the Wake County Public School System and the Wake County Division of Principals and Assistant Principals.
Principal of the Year
Steve Mares
Joyner Elementary
 Mares |
Mares has been principal of J.Y. Joyner Center for Spanish Language/International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme Magnet Elementary School since 2001. He also served as assistant principal for three years at Apex and West Lake elementary schools and was a teacher for three years.
While Mares has been principal at Joyner, the school has made improvements: boosting student achievement, reducing faculty turnover, strengthening support for families, completing facility additions and renovations and launching efforts to become an International Baccalaureate school.
In 2003-04, Joyner met expected growth and had an End-of-Grade composite of 87.3 percent increasing from 2001-02 when the school did not meet expected growth and had an End-of-Grade composite of 79.0 percent. Mares met with his Title I, English-as-a-Second-Language, Special Education and Fast Track teachers, discussed each student's needs and worked to schedule the services students needed in a way that minimized their time out of the regular classroom. He was able to stabilize the staff and create a culture and climate conducive to learning, analyzing data and making instructional decisions on a student-by-student basis. He credits the school's gifted, caring and talented staff for the students' increased achievement.
"Steve is a man of strong values and integrity, who consistently strives to do what is right," said Robert Soutter, a former teacher and current parent at Joyner. "Steve has a passionate concern for his staff, the students and the parents. Meeting goals is not enough; Steve is always investing in the people under him. For Steve, the people are the ultimate goal."
"Steve came to Joyner at a difficult time," said Joyner's Jeanette White. "The school community was divided and upset about changes in school assignments. Steve arrived during the middle of this storm and offered both the structure and compassion to renew and rebuild the school community. He did this in many ways both small and large, practical and caring."
Mares manages using servant-leadership. "I believe that in order to lead, it is imperative to earn the respect and trust of your followers through serving their needs and 'walking the walk' of believing in, being committed to, and living out the mission and values of the school."
Mares was a finalist for the Wake County Principal of the Year Award last year. He currently serves as a mentor to two new principals. He is active in the Wake County Division of Principals and Assistant Principals, serving on two committees.
Mares and his wife Kelly have five children that keep him busy when he's not at school. He coaches soccer and baseball teams on which his children play and he is an active member of St. Raphael Catholic Church.
2004 Principal of the Year finalists
 Cole |
 Fisher |
 Modest |
 Wall |
2004 Principal of the Year finalists included Freda Cole of Green Hope Elementary; Darryl Fisher of Wilburn Elementary; John Wall of Zebulon Middle; and John Modest of Southeast Raleigh High.
Assistant Principal of the Year
Martha Ramsey
Middle Creek High School
 Ramsey |
Martha Ramsey is assistant principal of Middle Creek High School. Ramsey helped to open the new high school in 2002. Prior to that she had served as assistant principal and a science teacher at Garner Senior High.
"For nearly 15 years, I have valued the friendship, mentoring, support and assistance of Martha Ramsey," said Middle Creek principal John Williams. "I have observed her work as science teacher, department head, committee chair, college researcher and assistant principal. In all roles, she has been the best. Intelligent, nurturing, wise, spirited, dedicated, caring, passionate and playful- she is the consummate educator."
Ramsey and the Middle Creek staff have worked to boost student achievement by targeting students in need of assistance and offering them tutorial sessions. The tutoring has been strengthened by providing classroom teachers incentives to lead sessions and offering staff development that has improved reading comprehension.
"My work is people-centered," Ramsey said. "My contribution is that I model by example the care that we should demonstrate to each other. I want to behave in a manner that inspires others to become better teachers, school leaders and good role models for children; I want to connect with the students so that they want to be good citizens, think positively about themselves and their abilities and believe that they can succeed in school. I want them to know that someone cares about and values them as individuals."
"All of the advice and guidance I have received from Ms. Ramsey has come via a combination of her research into 'best practices' and her own personal application of these theoretical ideas," said Middle Creek teacher Matthew Scialdone. "It is Ms. Ramsey's warmth, empathy, and genuine concern that have provided me with the rare opportunity to have a leader I could also call friend."
Ramsey has supported new teachers with an induction program and paired them with experienced teachers who mentor them. She has worked to structure staff development to help teachers grow professionally and create an environment that retains teachers.
"Professional development is linked to improvement. An effective instructional leader knows how to influence others, build relationships, engage in open dialogue, and embrace the quest for improving the teaching and learning process for all," Ramsey said. "This collaborative learning increases student engagement in classes because teachers connect knowledge and skills - learning becomes active, hands-on, and relevant to the student's experiences."
Ramsey says her family is an integral part of her life. She enjoys sailing and kayaking. Since 1969, she has been an active member of Wendell Baptist Church where she has been a Sunday School teacher, officer in the Woman's Missionary Union and helped to start a children's church program.
Finalists for the 2004 Assistant Principal of the Year
 Argent |
 Spivey |
 Summers |
 Swann |
Finalists for the 2004 Assistant Principal of the Year included
D. Susan Spivey of Cary Elementary; Mary Swann of Forestville Road Elementary;
James Argent of Timber Drive Elementary; and Karen Summers of West Lake
Middle.
Awards presented
More than 350 people were on hand to see Mares and Ramsey honored. He received $1,000, made possible by Hunt Ward, Lifetouch Studios, a crystal award made possible by Jubal Stagner, Jostens of the Triangle and will go on to compete in North Carolina Regional and State Principal of the Year competitions sponsored by Wachovia Corporation.
Ramsey received $500 and a crystal award, made possible by Jubal Stagner, Jostens of the Triangle.
Mares and Ramsey received a leather office chair from Office Depot, which provided duffle bags filled with $150 worth of office supplies to each of the 10 finalists. The 10 finalists also received framed photo flyers for the Principal of the Year celebration from Ken Strawbridge, Strawbridge Studios.
Principals and assistant principals are voted finalists by WCPSS principals and assistant principals. Then a team of school officials reviews the finalists - visiting their schools and reviewing a portfolio prepared by each finalist.
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