Headmaster Steve Jackson on His First Year at Sumner Academy Now that his first year has drawn to a close, what does Headmaster Steve Jackson think of Sumner Academy? “Everything I thought was true during my interview process has proven to be true,” says Mr. Jackson. “Sumner Academy is exceptional in so many ways. We have a great dedicated faculty and staff that go beyond their job descriptions to meet the needs of all our students. Mr. Jackson has enjoyed learning more about what makes Sumner Academy unique, including the Adventure Education Program. “No other schools that I’m aware of have a program like this that takes learning outside the classroom walls,” says Mr. Jackson. “It’s a real differentiator.” With a full year under his belt, Mr. Jackson is now looking ahead to projects that will prepare Sumner Academy for the future, including Sustainable Sumner 2025, the school’s strategic plan, which addresses sustainability in three areas: 1) Program: How can the school’s outstanding academic, athletic and other programs be maintained while looking ahead at new possibilities? 2) Financial: What alternate revenue sources can be developed to reduce the school’s dependence on tuition as the lone revenue source? 3) Campus: How can building and land assets be used to best advantage while reducing the school’s carbon footprint? “As we transition from year one to year two, we will be incorporating these three sustainability visions into everything we do,” says Mr. Jackson, who also plans to continue the Super Citizens Program, a character education plan he introduced to Sumner Academy during his inaugural year. “The Super Citizens Program fits perfectly into what we are trying to do at Sumner Academy, which is to build model citizens,” notes Mr. Jackson. The program, which focuses on a different character trait each month, requires teachers to look for that trait in students, and then recognize one student with the Super Citizen Award each week. Mr. Jackson is also excited about enhancements to Sumner Academy’s athletic program, including the inception of the Hawk’s Nest, a preparatory athletic program for students in kindergarten through grade 4. Launched by Athletic Director Scott Morris last year, Hawk’s Nest teaches the basics of sports like volleyball, running, basketball, tennis and soccer in a schedule that parallels the Varsity sports calendar. “It’s like a sampler program for sports that will help our students see if they would like to play those sports at the Varsity level in middle school,” says Mr. Jackson. What did Mr. Jackson find most surprising after his first year? “I realized that seventh and eighth graders weren’t that scary after all,” he laughs, adding that his exposure to upper middle school students was limited before joining Sumner Academy. “I wanted to get to know the older students first and I have really come to appreciate them.” The esprit de corps Mr. Jackson heard so much about during his interview process was evident from day one. “My first year has been a wonderful experience,” he said. “Everyone here—parents, students, alumni, faculty or staff—opened their arms to me and my new ideas. I could see right away that Sumner Academy was more than just a school; it was a community. And it makes me very glad to be here.”
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 15:09:45 +0000
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