Principal Allan Rodemoyer on Thursday briefly left the halls of his award-winning Distinguished Title 1 School, J.K. Harper Elementary, in order to address the Rotary Club of Thomasville during its weekly lunch meeting at The Plaza.

“In the spring of 2004, Sabrina Boykins-Everett (Thomasville City Schools Superintendent) and I went to visit Jefferson County Elementary School in Monticello,” said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Federal Programs Cheryl Hay as she introduced Rodemoyer to more than 70 Rotarians. “Everyone we talked to loved Mr. R. In a short time, he had turned that school around from an ‘F’ school. He has been in education for over 30 years. Fortunately, we were able to recruit him. Since he has been here, Harper has made AYP every year and is now a Distinguished Title 1 School. We look for this trend to continue.”

Rodemoyer’s presentation revolved around the characteristics of a successful school and/or business.

“We are in the business of changing lives,” the principal said. “Looking back over my career, the single most important thing for me is increasing my conversation time with God. Next, in any business, the leader must be the magic that sets the pace for the group. You have to lead by example and be willing to work harder than anyone else. Excitement is contagious. Spread it through your team.”

The educator and former business owner also spoke on the importance of team moral and the power of praise.

“Create a ‘we’ feeling. The biggest challenge is dealing with personalities. Learn the strengths and weaknesses of your players and create an atmosphere where everyone is rowing the boat. Look for buyers and not renters when hiring staff,” he said. “You need to be willing to give praise and credit to your team and it will come back to you tenfold. Create a positive atmosphere where people want to come to work every day.”

In addition, Rodemoyer relayed the importance of not only setting missions and goals, but developing a plan to see them through to reality.

“Analyze strengths and weaknesses. Use ideas that are working in other schools. Brainstorm with staff on ideas to improve. At Harper, every teacher is responsible for every student,” the principal continued. “When we meet with a parent, we discuss ideas to help solve a problem their child has encountered instead of saying, ‘Your child is a problem, do something about it.’ When people know you really care, positive things happen.”

Before concluding, Rodemoyer shared Harpers motto to live by, the CLAWS rules:

l Always do the right thing

l Be responsible

l Treat others the way you want to be treated

l Learn something new every day.

He also defined the 2009-10 Harper theme “Dream BIG:”

l Be determined to win

l Ignore those who say you can’t

l Give it your best shot.

“This is where you join the picture. We need your help working with one or two students. There is an advantage to one-on-one learning and what you will get from it is indescribable,” Rodemoyer said. “In life, business and school, remember every action you take is either moving you toward your goal or away from your goal.”

Following the presentation, several Rotarians signed up to mentor and/or volunteer at the elementary school.

For more information contact Harper at 229-225-2622.