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Graham named KCS Principal of the Year
James Nix / jnix@independenttribune.com
Jackson Park Elementary principal Lex Graham was names Kannapolis City Schools principal of the year. His Saddle up for Success, has been a big part in improving the school's performance.
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Published: October 15, 2009
Last week, Jackson Park Elementary School Principal Lex Graham received a phone call saying there was a personnel issue he needed to handle at the Kannapolis City Schools central office.
Graham had no idea it was a trick and that he was about to be congratulated as the school system's 2009-10 Principal of the Year.
"I was floored," Graham said. "I've never received anything like this."
While he is honored to have the title, Graham said he received his reward in June when Jackson Park achieved all of its Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals for the 2008-09 year.
The school had previously been given a "school improvement" status by the federal government for not making AYP goals in the same subject for two years in a row. To be removed from this status, a school must make its AYP goals in the same subject for two consecutive years.
During the past school year, Jackson Park achieved that and met all of its other AYP goals.
"I consider it this school's major accomplishment," Graham said. "You just don't do what we did, generally."
Graham said the school's success is due to intervening and solving problems early with students and staff members working together.
"This is a tribute to the staff," Graham said.
Staff members credited his strength as a leader for the school's accomplishment and for his being named Principal of the Year.
"He leads by example, and by that, I mean he is very knowledgeable but doesn't come across as intimidating to the students or staff," said Barbara Moose, technology facilitator for the school. "He knows the children's names and welcomes everyone."
As he spoke of his new honor this week, Graham wore a large, yellow cowboy hat that said, "KCS Sheriff of the Year," which the school gave him.
Jackson Park Elementary uses the theme, "Saddle up for success," throughout the school and models its discipline and attendance policies around "the code of the West."
As he walked the school's halls with the hat on, students who passed him smiled and waved.
"What do we say every morning?" Graham said to one class. "Yee..."
"Haw!" the students said.
Using this theme has been successful for the staff and students at Jackson Park, Graham said.
"If wearing a cowboy hat around does the trick, then that's what I do," Graham said.
Graham has been the principal at Jackson Park since 2001. He has been in public education since 1971 and with Kannapolis City Schools, also as a teacher, coach and curriculum coordinator, since 1972.
He earned a bachelor's degree in social studies from Wake Forest University and two master's degrees from UNC Charlotte in school administration and social studies.
Even after almost 40 years as an educator, Graham is still not done learning. When asked what advice he would give to other educators, Graham said there were many things he could say.
"I think the main thing is learn to listen, and learn to realize you don't know everything," Graham said. "And learn how to enjoy the moment."
• Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152
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