Two weeks in, and Amy Morgan is still sporting a big smile.
Morgan was approved as the new principal of Destin Elementary during the May 11 Okaloosa County School Board meeting.
Amy Meyer, who had been principal at Destin Elementary for the past four years, made the move to be principal of Niceville High School.
“I’m excited to be here,” Morgan said sitting in her office on May 21.
“I feel blessed to be back in the area. So many groups reached out to welcome me back last week … it was amazing,” she said, noting the offers of help.
Morgan taught at Destin Middle School from 2005 to 2011.
Being back in the Destin area “reminded me of that community feel, and I’m excited to be a part of that,” she said.
Her first week on the job was also the Week of Blessings in the Destin area, and the Church of Destin stopped by and brought food and welcomed her.
“That means a lot … makes you feel like your community is behind what your mission is. I’m excited to be a part of that,” she said.
Not only was the community welcoming, but her staff as well.
“There’s nothing like the energy at an elementary school,” Morgan said. “Elementary teachers are just the best.”
Morgan said during her first week, they had a midday mingle and provided snacks and tropical music.
“They just bring joy to everything. I’m excited,” she said.
But what excites her the most at being in the role of principal of Destin Elementary is “the kids.”
“You can feel their joy. They get excited about the little things,” she said.
Morgan talked of how Parker Destin brought snowballs to the students.
“You would have thought this was the best day at school ever. They are just so excited,” Morgan said.
“I love being around it. It makes you joyful too.”
Here are a few more insights about Morgan:
Favorite part of the school day
“I love morning take in, when I get to welcome them,” she said, especially after a long weekend or a holiday break.
“You can see them light up” when you make them feel like they matter, she said.
“I try to make a connection,” she said.
Favorite subject when she was in school
“I love to read,” she said.
“I have to put my reading down to get my work done,” Morgan said, noting she still likes to read historical fiction.
“But it has to have a good story line. If it’s just the facts, it’s not going to keep me long,” she said.
Why Morgan chose education
When she was in fourth grade, Morgan had a teacher that let her go down to work with a kindergarten class and help a student.
“She looked different, but I did not know at the time, she had Down syndrome. I got to help her practice cutting,” Morgan said.
She did hand-over-hand cutting with her. “We cut a lot of paper over the next few months. But that hooked me. That’s why I went into Special Ed. That was a moment for me.
“And I am thankful for the teacher that gave me the opportunity to do that. It changed me,” Morgan said.
Top priorities for first year
Morgan has a couple of top priorities, first to make the move into the new third- through fifth-grade wing “as smooth as possible for the kids, for the teachers and for the families,” she said.
Second, to continue the academic excellence that has been in place for the past 24 years as an “A” school.
With the new wing comes a new parking lot, changes in traffic flow and two car lines.
“I just want it to be smooth,” she said.
“I want them to have as much information ahead of time as possible,” Morgan said.
Progress on the building is right on track, and teachers are looking at a July move in.
“It’s a huge project, but everything has been going great,” she said.
“The teachers are so excited. You give a teacher a new space and they are ready to go. Nothing like a teacher with a new classroom. It’s like Christmas,” Morgan said.
And third, to make sure the fifth-grade teachers that will be coming over from Destin Middle School “become part of the culture and family. That’s important to me too,” she said.
What would she want students to say?
She was asked if students could describe her in three words a year from now, what would she hope they say.
“Encouraging” she said.
“I believe in the power of yet. If you don’t have it, I don’t have it yet. A growth mindset. We are not done learning. I’m not done learning,” she said.
“I want them to feel that I’m encouraging them to do their best.”
Her second word is fair.
“I want them to feel like I’m fair ― staff, students and family, make sure there is fairness across the board.” she said.
Morgan’s third phrase was “problem-solver.”
“Especially moving into a new building. I want them to feel like I listened and took suggestions and pulled people together and we solved the problem.”
Hopes for upcoming school year
“I want every child to achieve a level of success here … making progress from one year to another,” she said.
“My hope is that no matter where they start, is that they make years’ worth of growth.
“I want them to succeed,” she said.
A word to the students
“Dolphins, thank you for all of the smiles, handshakes, and high-fives this week. I’m so excited to be part of the Dolphin family. I hope you have a fun summer and come back ready to make waves … fins up, Dolphins,” Morgan said.
A word for the parents
“Safety is my No. 1 concern,” Morgan said, noting if her child were at this school she would want to make sure they were safe.
“I do feel we need to inspire, challenge and empower each child to reach their potential. It’s a strong responsibility, but we are put here for a purpose,” she said.
“Our purpose is to make sure those children are learning and becoming the people they are meant to be,” she said.
This article originally appeared on The Destin Log: Meet Amy Morgan, the new principal at Destin Elementary
Reporting by Tina Harbuck, The Destin Log / The Destin Log
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
