Striving to
Reach and
Motivate
Students

At the annual Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL) summer conference July 9-11 in Jekyll Island , the GAEL umbrella organization, Georgia Association of Middle School Principals (GAMSP), presented awards to middle grades administrators. GAMSP presents two awards annually, the Middle School Effective Program Award and the Mike Campbell Exemplary Leadership Award. Smokey Road Middle School was honored to receive both of these awards.

Smokey Road Middle School was one of two middle schools in the state of Georgia to receive the 2007 Middle School Effective Program Award. GAMSP presents this award annually to give recognition to schools with effective programs in middle level education. Schools receiving this award are examples of best programs that are successful in meeting the academic, physical, emotional, and social needs of the middle level learner.

Smokey Road Middle School 's application for this award noted that, “The overall purpose of the middle school concept should include educators meeting the intellectual, developmental, and social needs that emerge in students during this transitional period. Proactive middle school programs must provide a flexible and supportive atmosphere in order to create an experiential learning environment in which students can develop the academic and social critical thinking skills necessary for the transition from elementary to high school. To accomplish this, we focus on meeting the needs of the individual and valuing the whole child. From academics to connections, parent meetings to community service activities, athletics to peer interactions, everything we do at Smokey Road centers around reaching and motivating students. In keeping with this philosophy, Smokey Road Middle School strives to Reach and Motivate Students by following our vision of ensuring that each student attends school, is in a safe and caring environment, feels valued as an individual, and then learns the appropriate academic curriculum for future success. Our achievement is evident through our incentives and awards for student achievements and improvements in four main areas: attendance, citizenship, athletics/extra-curriculars, and academics.”

Smokey Road has also continued to improve in all areas of accountability under No Child Left Behind guidelines based on its Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) status. While Smokey Road has never been on the Needs Improvement list, this is the first time in Smokey Road 's history that the school has made AYP for two consecutive years. In fact, the school has continued to improve in all subgroups for both the Reading/English Language Arts and the Math CRCT and in overall attendance since AYP began in 2003.

Dr. Laurie Barron, principal of Smokey Road Middle School , was also one of four middle school administrators in the state of Georgia to receive the 2007 Mike Campbell Exemplary Leadership Award. This award is presented to a middle level administrator who demonstrates exemplary leadership in middle level education. The award honors Michael Campbell, A GAMSP Past President, a GAEL Past President, and current Legislature Liaison for GAMSP, for his dedicated service to these professional organizations and middle level education in general. A member of GAMSP nominates eligible administrators for this prestigious award.

Dr. Barron has been the principal of Smokey Road Middle School since 2004 and is beginning her fourth year in this role. Prior to that, she served as an assistant principal at Arnall Middle School for two years and as an English teacher and varsity cheerleading coach at Newnan High School for six years. She completed her Doctor of Education and Specialist in Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Sarasota in 2003 and 2001 respectively, her Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the State University of West Georgia in 1999, and her Bachelor of Science in English Education from the University of Georgia in 1996. Dr. Barron is also a National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescence and Young Adulthood English/Language Arts. Dr. Barron is a past Public Relations Director of GAMSP, and she is also on the GAMSP Assistant Principal of the Year Committee.