FORT BENNING, Ga., (Aug. 27, 2014) -- Michelle Allen is Wilson Elementary School's newest principal, but she said her history with the school has developed through setting an example of servant leadership for students and staff.
Allen began her career at Wilson in 1998 as a second-grade reading teacher and later became assistant principal. She also served as a principal at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before returning to the area to take on the position as principal at Wilson.
"The model at Wilson Elementary is 'I can and I will do my very best,'" she said. "That's my charge to the public and the community. I can and will do my very best to serve my kids and their Families. I want them to have that level of confidence that whatever they do, it's going to be their best."
Allen said her goal for Wilson is educate, engage and enrich each student by offering a variety of opportunities that promote creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking. This year, she said the school is excited to offer a running club, student government, as well as starting Partners in Education collaboration with the Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course, a LEGO Education WeDo curriculum and robotics program. The program introduces primary school students to build, program and test their solutions based on real-life robotics technology.
"Our little ones are now learning to program, solve problems and read as much as possible to make this happen," Allen said. "We want to make sure that all kids have the opportunity to communicate. It's hard to problem solve if you can't explain what you want to do, so we want to improve reading and ensure that students are able to process that and explain why they are doing it."
Allen said these opportunities allow students to try new things and take risks that will help them to make valuable career choices later in life. Additionally, Allen said her own upbringing in an Army Family has helped to shape her career and desire to give every student the best education and school experience.
"I grew up as a military dependent and I know what it's like to have a parent who is deployed and I know what it's like to go to school and thinking about daddy being at war," Allen said.
"It gives me a greater sense of appreciation for the Families and we get an opportunity to serve them," she said.
"It's a great and unique life, but we have to have a deeper level of compassion in order to make the best education opportunities possible for our kids."
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