News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Eastside Elementary School named one of five finalists for the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s (NIET) Founders Award.
Principal Rex Crabtree said moving from a level one school to a finalist for the national award shows how hard work from both teachers and students pays off. He said he is honored for the Rock Island area and the Warren County School System.
“I’m excited for our school and it’s a great honor for this community here in the East Side Rock Island Area,” Crabtree said. “But I’m also just so proud for the Warren County School System, that the work we’re doing, and it’s not just here at Eastside, all our schools are working hard and just making such great gains. I just feel like it’s just, its a great collaboration and just so proud for our entire county.”
Crabtree said he holds positivity and visibility as his top values. Crabtree said having students see him on the playground, in the lunch area, or even on the stairs gives off a different emotion than being the person students go to when they are in trouble. Crabtree said they are constantly striving for improvement and will keep pushing forward.
“I coached basketball for a long time, even when you got a really good team, what are some tips and tricks you can do to improve your quality or craft,” Crabtree said. “We’re always trying to get better at what we’re doing.”
Crabtree said they are a Pre-K through eighth-grade school and sometimes have coaches come in to assist students once a week. He said they use data forums to track what’s happening at the school in measurable terms. Crabtree said he has introduced something called the PLT (Professional Learning Teams).
“With those, the teachers can get really specific, that these students are doing well so what are some ways we can enrich them to give them some extra things that might challenge them? Or these students are struggling, what are ways then we can get them some extra help in key areas.”
Crabtree said the school is always focused on helping the students.
