Exciting New Changes
July 18, 2014 |
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Dear Wesley families,
While I'm hopeful that each of you are enjoying the final few days of your summer vacation, I am also trusting that you've been thinking about the wonderful opportunity that lies ahead of us for 2014-2015. As I have mentioned, we are poised to have a tremendous year on the strength of a new mission, a permanent home, and renewed energy around becoming the very best school we can be.
Consistent with our strategic plan which will go into effect next month, we will also be operating pursuant to a reworked organizational model that includes changes to our management structure. Beginning this year, Wesley will be operating as one school, divided into two academies - the Primary Year’s Programme (PYP K-5), and the Middle Year’s Programme (MYP 6-8). Each Academy will have a Director who will be charged with maintaining direct oversight over all matters relative to their respective teams. To that end, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Keisha Hancock, who previously served as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, will now be transitioning to the MYP Academy Director role. For the first time ever, the MYP will have a fully staffed team of teachers, interventionists, and a select group of designated specialists to complement the increasing needs of our MYP students. Dr. Hancock will direct their work.
I am also pleased to announce that Mrs. Anita Lawrence - one of our newest team members has been chosen to lead the PYP Academy. The PYP Academy Director will manage primary grade teachers (K-5) along with several other positions including the IB Coordinator and the Chinese Department Chair. Mrs. Lawrence brings over a decade of experience to Wesley - having previously served as Atlanta Public Schools’ World Languages Coordinator prior to interim leadership roles at two area International Baccaluareate Schools - North Atlanta HS and the Globe Academy. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Mrs. Lawrence is a graduate of Brandeis University and holds a Master’s degree from Simmons College in Urban Elementary education. She speaks fluent Spanish and is an avid cook and fitness enthusiast. Mrs. Lawrence is the mother of two children, one of whom will be attending Wesley in the fall. She and her husband live in South Fulton County.
Additionally, one of our veteran-most leaders, Ms. Dana Roberts, will now be serving as the Director of School Services. She will manage Safety and Compliance, Procurement, Testing, Title I, School Nutrition, Logistics and Operations. Ms. Roberts' intimate knowledge of the inner-workings of each of these departments better positions Wesley to achieve improved operational functionality and organizational efficiency. We are happy to have her with us.
While the maintenance of school culture and discipline is the collective responsibility of all staff members, our efforts in that regard will be led by Dr. Alastair Pullen. Again, Dr. Pullen is a new addition to our team and brings years of experience that will bode well for Wesley going forward.
Dr. Pullen is a valued commodity, coming to us after having taught English and Special Education at The New Schools at Carver. Additionally, Dr. Pullen is an honors graduate of Colby College, holding degrees in Gender Studies, Anthropology and African-American Studies. Dr. Pullen also holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Emory University. He is the proud father of 3 children - a 3 year-old daughter and 1 year-old twins. Dr. Pullen is married and lives in North Decatur.
With all of these changes, the last is that I will now be serving as the school's Executive Director – an expansive new general management role with formalized responsibilities relating specifically to the protection of our charter, the fulfillment of the school’s mission, and the general advancement of Wesley within the local education landscape.
On behalf of the Wesley International Academy family, we are all pleased to serve at the pleasure of our parents and families, and look forward to a wonderful school-year.
Take good care,
Duke Bradley, III
Executive Director
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