Posts by Meria
In Appreciation of Our Students’ Superheroes
“With great power, comes great responsibility.” – Uncle Ben to Peter Parker in Spiderman I believe in the power of public education. In our classrooms, teachers can transform from an ordinary resident to superhero educator with the power to nurture original thinkers and create life-long learners. As educators, teachers can completely change the trajectory of…
Read MoreTurning ‘Tubs*’ into Transformation
Every journey has its mileposts, markers along the way to let travelers know they are getting closer to their destination. This afternoon, on our journey to transform Atlanta Public Schools into a high-performing, life-changing, choice-filled school system, we reached another milepost when the Board of Education voted unanimously, in a special called meeting, to tentatively…
Read MoreDollars and Sense: The Thinking Behind Building FY17 Budget
As our students and staff prepare for the start of Spring Break this Friday, it’s hard for me to fully unplug as my mind is on what happens the day we get back on Monday, April 11. That’s when we will hold our next Board meeting and take the opportunity to fully update the community…
Read MoreStrong Schools Start with Your Vote!
With the opening of the first-ever elections for our school governance teams, I truly believe we are amid an historic week for Atlanta Public Schools. We are building these new GO Teams to provide seats at the leadership table in our schools to teachers, parents and community members. We designed the GO Teams to…
Read MoreAPS Advances School Turnaround Strategy
I am humbled as well as encouraged by tonight’s Atlanta Board of Education vote on the APS School Turnaround Strategy, which moves our district forward with a comprehensive plan to address chronic under-performance in our schools. I am also appreciative of the willingness of the community to try to understand the urgent need for change.…
Read MoreWe ‘made up our mind’ to celebrate literacy and Dr. Seuss’ birthday!
I hugged a cuddly Lorax who wore slippers, not boots. Took selfies with Things that were tiny and cute. I grappled with friends over a fish, dog or yent. All in all, I can say, my day was well spent. OK, OK, so I’m not Dr. Seuss or a writer anywhere near the genius that…
Read MoreAPS Advances Strategy for Transformation
When I unveiled the APS Turnaround Strategy during the State of the District last October, I explained that because of the longstanding, multi-generational educational needs of our students and a looming, high-stakes potential takeover Opportunity School District, we did not have time to waste. I also expressed that we would move with deliberate speed in…
Read MoreIt Takes Courage to Leave a Legacy
As I go into this Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, I have the greatest sense of pride for the legacy that he left us. That legacy is his dream of hope, equality and nonviolence. I’ll be in my hometown of Selma, Alabama this year where we will celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. To me,…
Read MoreResolved to Turnaround APS
As we enter the New Year and a new season of making resolutions, it should come as no surprise to anyone keeping our district and our schools on their radars that we have a clear, succinct resolution for 2016: Turnaround Atlanta Public Schools. It’s not only our resolution, but it is our mandate. In fact,…
Read MoreHave a Safe and Happy Winter Break!
With the Winter Break upon us and 2015 drawing to a close, I encourage all friends and stakeholders of Atlanta Public Schools to reflect upon the difference we make in the lives of Atlanta’s children. I am thankful that we, as a community with many talents, have come together to share those gifts with one…
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