Transformative Teaching Yields Honors for Williford Elementary
down east partnership for children, education, excellence in education award, rocky mount, rocky mount’s williford elementary, sandra farmer,
Rocky Mount’s Williford Elementary is in a class all its own. The school, which once was known more for its socioeconomic struggles than its academic achievements, now delivers some of the best test scores in the area. In fact, the Down East Partnership for Children recently bestowed its Excellence in Education Award upon the school.
Williford’s visionary principal, Sandra Farmer, initiated the transformation upon her arrival five years ago, but humbly credits school staff for the astounding results.
“We are met with many challenges but are overcomers because of the commitment, dedication and concern staff have for our children,” Farmer says. “We don’t let excuses bring us down. We just try to make a difference in children’s lives.”
Staff members soon identified their vision of what Williford Elementary could and would become – a school of excellence. Parents and the community pulled together to support students outside the classroom, while Williford added an early intervention lab and family resource center to encourage teachers, children and parents to work together.
In the classrooms, teachers collaborate on ways to enhance curriculum, while students have access to the latest learning technology.
And the work is paying off. Among public schools with similar demographics, Williford is the only elementary school in the state to make expected growth for the No Child Left Behind Act’s Adequate Yearly Progress report four of the last five years.
“Our children are more hopeful for their future and see themselves as the miracles we know they are,” Farmer says. “You change their attitudes and you change their very being.”
Story by Melanie Hill
