We’re off to a new school year that is expected to be a wonderful adventure! Arp Junior High missed reaching the state’s RECOGNIZED status for the second year in a row by 6/100 of a point. AJH’s faculty and staff has many new faces who are energized and ready with great ideas and strategies to bring the campus back to an award winner.
Despite replacing 8 teachers I am more determined than ever to help make this campus one of the best middle school campuses in the state. The new teachers coming in this year have a vast experience range, but all are excited about being members of a campus faculty that has lofty goals for itself and their students.
Joining the staff at AJH is Lindsay Marshall (7th grade math) who has 39 years experience in education and at one time was the principal at AJH. Susan Weems (6th grade math) is in her 18th year of education and has already proven to be a valuable member of our faculty. Also in the math department is first year teacher, Hillary Bryand (8th grade math). Her energy and love of the subject is proving to be an asset in the classroom.
Along with Mr. Marshall the seventh grade staff has three more new teachers.Morgan Broyles (ELA/reading) is a new teacher from UT-Tyler; Shawn Coughlin (science) is a SFA graduate coming to us from the environmental science field. Kimmie Everett is an Arp HS and Louisiana Tech graduate and she will be teaching history as well as coaching high school girl’s athletics.
Rounding out new faculty members are Kim Hardy (special education), Chance James (music/band) and Mary Lou Holland (Art). Mrs. Holland is transferred from the secretary’s office to the classroom. She is currently enrolled in college in Tyler pursuing her teacher’s certification in Art. Tonya Irwin is now our campus librarian replacing Terrie Sumrall who has moved into a secretarial role on the campus.
Our goals are high and we are expecting to see gains in all areas of the campus. I invite parents to contact me if they have any questions and visit the campus when ever possible.
