001[Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] We're standing here today in beautiful Clayton, North Carolina at the home of Cooper Academy where we're in the middle of a big addition for Cooper. We're excited about this addition. It's going to provide 20 classrooms, some much needed upgraded space for this beautiful old school. Um, we're excited about that opportunity. behind me and around me today are they're getting ready to lay sod and do some dirt work. The brick is all up at this school. They're putting some doors and windows in, starting to work on the finishing touches of this school. So, this fall, um, our students and staff will be able to walk into a
002brand new addition here at Cooper. We're so excited to just bring this to this wonderful community here. [Music] We are so thankful for all the stakeholders that participated in this to make this possible from the county commissioners to school board to ultimately to the taxpayers for Cooper Academy to be able to have this beautiful new addition in this community. [Music] Hello, my name is Aisa Lutell and I'm a recent graduate of Cleveland High School and a recipient of the National College Match Scholarship. [Music] The first word that comes to mind is shock because I didn't have one of those moments where I sat down in the kitchen with my parents and filmed myself reaction. I was actually in class in biology class at the community college where I take dual enrollment. I got the notification
003and I was just so excited to know what happened. and I couldn't hold myself back. I remember opening the email and not even seeing where I had matched to. Just seeing the words, you have matched and immediate excitement like flooded through me and that entire day. I was just kind of on a high and being able to tell my parents like boosted that even more. I think one of the key moments of my senior year was definitely my awards ceremony because I saw so many of my friends and peers all throughout high school and we were given cords and medals and it was almost tangible proof of all the hard work we had put in throughout our four years and the pride that I experienced especially seeing some of my best friends and me up
004on that stage being cheered for by family by administrators. It was just a really great moment to like signify, wow, like we have really succeeded a lot within these four years because sometimes it just does feel like it's just school, but in that moment you're like, wow, you did a lot more than just school. I plan to attend Duke University in the fall with a double major in economics and public policy on the pre-law track. I actually immigrated to America when I was 4 years old. And I feel like that part of me, not only do I have such pride in being from America, but also being from Nepal where I was born. And I really want to give back not just to America, but now like internationally. And I feel like the end goal
005for me is to do something in international relations or even being a diplomat. And that's something I'm extremely interested in pursuing later on. I think the best part, like I've mentioned, I've been to eight different schools in my life. And I actually love going to a new school. Like I feel like in that moment you get to learn so much and it's almost not a way to reinvent yourself, but you get to make a new first impression. And I feel like those first impressions are so important. So I just can't wait for all these firsts that come with going to college. Like first time meeting someone or first time going to a game. All of these are just so exciting moments and it's almost like getting to restart and I'm really excited for that. Talk
006to your teachers. Like I feel like in public schools you get such an opportunity because there are so many administrators, there's so many teachers because you are all linked by one county that I've gotten access to talk to so many different teachers, not just in my own school. And that is something that I'm definitely going to take to me wherever I go, even through college, through professional life, is talk to the people who are there to help you. Teachers, professors, they're all there to help you. They're such a like a guide. They are really like a lamp post at your feet that you can like follow the light to. They are just amazing people and I feel like I've always gained something by talking to my teachers and I definitely hope to build as strong
007connections with my professors as I did with my teachers throughout my time in public school. [Music] Hi, my name is Nor Isa. I'm a recent graduate of Johnson County Career and Technical Leadership Academy and I am a recipient of the Jay Kent Cook Scholarship. [Music] At first I was really surprised. I'm like, "Am I reading this right? Is this telling me what I think it's telling me?" And I remember like cuz I was in my bed when I opened it. It was early in the morning. I jumped out of bed and I'm like, "Wow, wow." And I started pacing around my house. I'm like, "I can't believe this." And it just felt really unbelievable to me cuz I've been getting these emails like, "Oh, you were a semi-finalist." And I'm like, "Awesome, awesome." They're like,
008"Oh, we're taking a little more time to select the the winners because it's a little harder this year." And I'm like, "Okay." And in my mind, it just it it never processed. I was like, "Oh, this is a nationally prestigious scholarship, one of the biggest scholarships in the US. There's no way I'm going to get this." And then I get the email and I'm like, "Wow, wow. I'm just, am I the right person? Did they Did they Did they make a mistake? And then they emailed me back and they're like, "Yes, yes, you got the scholarship. Awesome. We've confirmed it." And I was just, it was a wonderful moment. Yeah. I will be attending John's Hopkins University in Baltimore. I will be majoring in chemical and biomolecular engineering while double majoring in biopysics on a
009premed path. I've got to make a difference to people's lives, right? I just got to use whatever talents um and the hard work I've had, whether that's being a research doctor or being a hands-on emergency medical uh technician or an emergency uh doctor, whatever it may be. I really just want to be there help people in those moments where they feel like they feel like no one's on their side. And I think going to John's Hopkins where some of the world's most renowned researchers not only prosthetics but in genetics in crisper technology that's where they're at. I think I get a lot of opportunity with that. When I went there I felt so much I guess so much life. I felt a lot of culture. I felt I felt a great sense of community. I
010mean um Arabic is my first language. I'm Palestinian American, right? I actually met someone um who spoke not only the same language of me, but he was um from the same village as one of my close family friends. And I'm like, "Hey, awesome. When I come, can you uh show me around?" And he was like, "Yeah, I'll show you around. I'll introduce you some other people from the same area. We'll show you around Baltimore." And like it instantly felt like a community. So even though I felt really nervous, even now I feel really nervous at the idea be moving 6 hours away, but just knowing that there's a community there that's ready for me that just excites people. [Music] Hello, my name is Riley Baker and I recently graduated from West Johnson High School and
011am a recipient of the Park Scholarship. [Music] Yeah, as soon as I got the email that my status had been updated in the portal, I was so scared. I don't think I've ever logged onto a computer that fast in my entire life. But I was by myself in my room and I opened it and as soon as I saw confetti, my heart sank. I was it was complete shock. Honestly, I didn't I didn't even finish reading the letter. I saw congratulations and I saw the confetti pop in and I ran downstairs to tell my mom. I was like, "Mom, I got it. I did it. I got the scholarship and it was extremely exciting. I planned to attend the honors college at NC State University to major in zohology and minor in entomology. So in
012high school, my favorite subject was biology and I love animals, so zoolology was a great way to combine the two. And also through zoologology, I'll be able to take all the prerequisite courses for vet school. So it'll prepare me for postgrad after that. And entomology is just a personal passion. I really like bugs. I find them fascinating. So, you know, I'm really excited to expand my social circle, make some new friends, new classes, meet new adviserss, professors. I'm really excited for that aspect, but also the living environment switch up is going to be fun. I feel like getting to live on my own with my um roommate and explore the Raleigh area. I feel like it's going to be a lot of fun. I would love to do research in the academia part of it
013is something I'm very interested in. I would love to go to Brazil and work in the rainforest. I feel like that would be amazing for zoolology. All the different animals that live over there and the biodiversity that they have that just it doesn't even compare to what we have here in the US. [Music] It's a great day to be here at Wilson's Mills High School, the future home of the Green Waves. Um, we just had our beam signing and topping out ceremonies. [Music] So, we've just set the last piece of structural steel on Wilson's Mills High School. [Music] Um, as you can see behind me, this is going to be the future front entrance of Wilson's Mills High School. Um, currently there's exterior sheathing going on, finishing up some concrete field houses, but we've already
014got a lot of exciting things like the grand stands. Um, a lot of the concrete has been poured, get ready to do some waterproofing and brick. We're excited about where we're at in this process and where we're going. We're also really excited because not only are we only a little over 400 days from opening this school up to our teachers to come in, but for our students to be able to be on this campus and to be able to use all the athletic facilities and the school as we start a new season for the green wave. And we are just grateful for everybody's participation from the taxpayers to the commissioners to the board of education and we look forward to the progress over the next 400 days as we get to completion. [Music] Johnston County
015Public Schools is such an amazing place where you know that the teachers and the students are cared so much for. You walk into any school and you just feel the sense of community um around you whether you're in the classroom or whether you're in the office or even up at county offices, you just feel like the sense of community within all the people. I think what I like most is that I'm always learning as well as my students are always learning. Learning is definitely something that Johnston County Schools takes so seriously and you know that your students have the best teachers and I always feel so supported by my support staff and by my administration and I just know that they have my best interest at heart as well as my students. I would say
016that Johnston County Public Schools is a community of very strong leaders. No matter where you are, everyone seems to have a sense of leadership and they know what they have to do and they know when they have to do it. I chose Johnston County Public Schools because I knew from the beginning that this is where I wanted to be. I was a student at Johnston County Public Schools and there was never a day where I didn't feel safe and loved and cared for as a student. So, I wanted to be that same teacher and care and love for my students the same way I felt. I would tell anyone joining the JCPS family that it's an amazing place to be and I 100% recommend working for this district. I have loved every single second of
017it and no matter what school you are at, you will know that you will be supported and loved and cared for. My name is Allison Beu. I'm a teacher at Berberwood Elementary and great things are happening in JCPS. [Music] To me, working in Johnson County Public Schools means growth. Not only growth for our students, but our educators as well as parents. This district provides so many opportunities for everyone to grow. And what I really love about this district is that students are supported academically and supported socially and emotionally. So that's this district as a whole means a lot and it definitely focus on making being innovative and creating opportunities for educators to grow. I like the collaboration and about 80% of the professional development that Johnson County has provided for myself and other educators. We
018are always constantly collaborating. We're growing. We're focusing on our students, all of our staff, and how we can better support our parents. So what I enjoy is the collaboration and the dedication. Our district leaders do a great job of providing positive collaborative opportunities for all of us. Throughout my internship, I've been able to attend professional developments. We have something called assistant principal institute which is every few weeks and that's been a great opportunity too. It gives me a chance to again increase my toolkit but also have the chance to speak with other assistant principles about what's going on in the district and how we can navigate through different problems. So for those who are interested in being an educational leader, find a district like Johnson County. Find one that is focused on community, focus on
019growth, and f focus on student academic success because as an educational leader, when you grow, you learn ways to support your students, your staff, and your parents. And as a whole, the school continues to grow. So, if you want a district that not only focuses on student academic success, but also the professional growth of you as a leader, then Johnson County is the district you should choose. My name is Crystal Glover. I'm currently a principal intern at Cooper Academy, and great things are happening in JCPS. [Music] What brought me to Johnston County Schools was a better school climate for my son. I didn't know much about Johnston County Public Schools, but I visited Clayton Middle and the warmth that I felt from the administrators when I was interviewed and from the uh receptionist u make
020me leave that interview saying I want to work here. And then after that it was just opportunities for growth, opportunities to get a lot of support for myself professionally and my students. As a principal of Salem Elementary, I find most rewarding being a lifecher, being able to work in a place where you have purpose, where this is a mission, a mission that is uh to build community, to change lives, and it also gives you the opportunity for me to grow as a leader, as a mentor, as a professional, and as a human being. What I would say about anyone who wants to work in Johnson County Public Schools is that this is the perfect place if you want to achieve your dreams as an educator. If you want to feel supported, if you feel that
021you need to work in a place with true focus on student learning, on life uh changing opportunities, this is the place to be. My name is Marissa Rossado, principal of Selma Elementary, and great things are happening in JCPS. [Music] I graduated from NC State last May and I got a job at South Johnson High School. So, this is my first year teaching, but I went to Johnson County Public Schools all throughout my life. Oh, it's been phenomenal. I mean, all my co-workers are great people. my admin are very supportive and that's just at my local school. So I I would love to, you know, be able to go out to other schools and meet those wonderful people there. But just so far with my school and the district, all the people I've met, uh, like
022people around the county office or people who are support staff who work for the, you know, the curriculum people, they're all wonderful people and are all so helpful. So this my time here has been excellent so far. Uh, cuz I went to school here my entire life. I started at Forex Elementary, then I went to Forex Middle School, and then South Johnson High School where I graduated. Um, and so it's really nice to be able to kind of, you know, go off to a university, learn some things, learn more about myself, and then be able to come back to these schools in this area to be able to kind of bring that knowledge with me, but also just continue the greatness that I that I experienced growing up. I could kind of help keep that
023going for, you know, more students down the line. Just the community feel. I mean, if it feels, especially at South Johnson High School, but kind of kind of mentioned it earlier, for everybody I've met, it feels the same way. It feels like everybody kind of has like a united vision here. Everybody's on the same path. Everybody's on the same this everyone wants the same end goal, and that is to help students. Like one of my admin at school always says that we're in the student business. That's what we're that's what our job is. And I think everybody kind of has that collective goal, especially at my school. And everyone I've met so far outside of my school in the district uh feels the same way. My experience has been so great so far this my
024first year and that is because they're in the student business and I feel like that every day because of the shared experience that I've had with my admin, the shared experience that I've had with people in the county. Um the shared is people like you guys who I've just met for the first time. Everyone's so nice, friendly, and they all seem like they're pushing toward the common goal. And that's just one of the things I got into education for. That's one of the reasons I want to stay in education. So Johnston County is like just everything I've wanted it to be so far. Hi, my name is Austin Denning. I'm a math teacher at South Johnson High School. And great things are happening at JCPS. [Music] I have been with Johnson County Public School for
0254 years now and it's been one of the most amazing experiences. From the very beginning, I have felt welcome and supported not only as an educator but as a whole person. Being part of a district that supports bilingual education allow me to grow in my role as a teacher and while also learning from colleagues and leaders who are truly passionate about student success. What I love most about being part of JCPS is the strong sense of community and collaboration. Whether it is with um fellow teachers, um families, administrators, everyone is working together to help students succeed. I know the district is large, but it still feels personal. We are all working together for a shared purpose that is um to do what is best for the kids. someone who is considering uh starting a career
026at Johnson County School, I would say go for it. JCPS is a place where your your talent and passion will be valued. You will feel inspired, supported, and challenged. It is a district that um believes in its educators and gives you room to grow. My name is Mika Costa and I'm a dual language first grade teacher at Selma Elementary School and great things are happening in JCPS. A B [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Hey, Heat. [Music] We're standing here today in beautiful Clayton, North Carolina at the home of Cooper Academy where we're in the middle
027of a big addition for Cooper. We're excited about this addition. It's going to provide 20 classrooms, some muchneeded upgraded space for this beautiful old school. Um, we're excited about that opportunity. Behind me and around me today are they're getting ready to lay sod and do some dirt work. The brick is all up at this school. They're putting some doors and windows in, starting to work on the finishing touches of this school. So, this fall, um, our students and staff will be able to walk into a brand new addition here at Cooper. We're so excited to just bring this to this wonderful community here. [Music] We are so thankful for all the stakeholders that participated in this to make this possible from the county commissioners to school board to ultimately to the taxpayers for Cooper Academy
028to be able to have this beautiful new addition in this community. [Music] Hello, my name is Aisa Lutell and I'm a recent graduate of Cleveland High School and a recipient of the National College Match Scholarship. [Music] The first word that comes to mind is shock because I didn't have one of those moments where I sat down in the kitchen with my parents and filled myself reaction. I was actually in class in biology class at the community college where I take dual enrollment. I got the notification and I was just so excited to know what happened. and I couldn't hold myself back. I remember opening the email and not even seeing where I had matched to. Just seeing the words, you have matched and immediate excitement like flooded through me and that entire day. I was
029just kind of on a high and being able to tell my parents like boosted that even more. I think one of the key moments of my senior year was definitely my awards ceremony because I saw so many of my friends and peers all throughout high school and we were given cords and medals and it was almost tangible proof of all the hard work we had put in throughout our four years and the pride that I experienced especially seeing some of my best friends and me up on that stage being cheered for by family by administrators. It was just a really great moment to like signify, wow, like we have really succeeded a lot within these four years because sometimes it just does feel like it's just school, but in that moment you're like, wow, you
030did a lot more than just school. I plan to attend Duke University in the fall with a double major in economics and public policy on the pre-law track. I actually immigrated to America when I was 4 years old. And I feel like that part of me, not only do I have such pride in being from America, but also being from Nepal where I was born. And I really want to give back not just to America, but now like internationally. And I feel like the end goal for me is to do something in international relations or even being a diplomat. And that's something I'm extremely interested in pursuing later on. I think the best part, like I've mentioned, I've been to eight different schools in my life and I actually love going to a new school.
031Like I feel like in that moment you get to learn so much and it's almost not a way to reinvent yourself, but you get to make a new first impression and I feel like those first impressions are so important. So I just can't wait for all these firsts that come with going to college. Like first time meeting someone or first time going to a game. All of these are just so exciting moments and it's almost like getting to restart and I'm really excited for that. Talk to your teachers. Like I feel like in public schools you get such an opportunity because there are so many administrators. There's so many teachers because you are all linked by one county that I've gotten access to talk to so many different teachers not just in my own school.
032And that is something that I'm definitely going to take to me wherever I go. Even through college, through professional life is talk to the people who are there to help you. Teachers, professors, they're all there to help you. They're such a like a guide. They are really like a lamp post at your feet that you can like follow the light to. They are just amazing people. And I feel like I've always gained something by talking to my teachers. And I definitely hope to build as strong connections with my professors as I did with my teachers throughout my time in public school. [Music] Hi, my name is Nor Isa. I'm a recent graduate of Johnson County Career and Technical Leadership Academy and I am a recipient of the Jay Kent Cook Scholarship. [Music] At first, I
033was really surprised. I'm like, "Am I reading this right? Is this telling me what I think it's telling me?" And then I remember like cuz I was in my bed when I opened it. It was early in the morning. I jumped out of bed and I'm like, "Wow, wow." And I started pacing around my house. I'm like, "I can't believe this." And it just felt really unbelievable to me cuz I'd been getting these emails like, "Oh, you were a semi-finalist." And I'm like, "Awesome, awesome." They're like, "Oh, we're taking a little more time to select the the winners because it's a little harder this year." And I'm like, "Okay." And in my mind, it just it it never processed. I was like, "Oh, this is a nationally prestigious scholarship, one of the biggest scholarships in
034the US. There's no way I'm going to get this." And then I get the email and I'm like, "Wow. Wow. I'm just am I the right person? Did they did they did they make a mistake?" And then they emailed me back and they're like, "Yes, yes, you got the scholarship. Awesome. We've confirmed it." And I was just It was a wonderful moment. Yeah. I will be attending John's Hopkins University in Baltimore. I will be majoring in chemical and biomolecular engineering while double majoring in biopysics on a premed path. I've got to make a difference in people's lives, right? I just got to use whatever talents um and the hard work I've had, whether that's being a research doctor or being a hands-on emergency medical uh technician or an emergency uh doctor, whatever it may be.
035I really just want to be there help people in those moments where they feel like where they feel like no one's on their side. And I think going to John's Hopkins where some of the world's most renowned researchers not only prosthetics but in genetics in crisper technology that's where they're at. I think I get a lot of opportunity with that. When I went there I felt so much I guess so much life. I felt a lot of culture. I felt I felt a great sense of community. I mean, um, Arabic is my first language. I'm Palestinian American, right? I actually met someone, um, who spoke not only the same language of me, but he was, um, from the same village as one of my close family friends. And I'm like, "Hey, awesome. When I come,
036can you uh, show me around?" And he was like, "Yeah, I'll show you around. I'll introduce you some other people from the same area. We'll show you around Baltimore." Like, it instantly felt like a community. So even though I felt really nervous, even now I feel really nervous at the idea be moving 6 hours away, but just knowing that there's a community there that's ready for me that just excites me. [Music] Hello, my name is Riley Baker and I recently graduated from West Johnson High School and am a recipient of the Park Scholarship. [Music] Yeah, as soon as I got the email that my status had been updated in the portal, I was so scared. I don't think I've ever logged onto a computer that fast in my entire life. But I was by myself
037in my room and I opened it and as soon as I saw confetti, my heart sank. I was it was complete shock. Honestly, I didn't I didn't even finish reading the letter. I saw congratulations and I saw the confetti pop in and I ran downstairs to tell my mom. I was like, "Mom, I got it. I did it. I got the scholarship and it was extremely exciting. I planned to attend the honors college at NC State University to major in zohology and minor in entomology. So in high school, my favorite subject was biology and I love animals. So zohology was a great way to combine the two. And also through zoologology, I'll be able to take all the prerequisite courses for vet school. So it'll prepare me for postgrad after that. And entomology is just
038a personal passion. I really like bugs. I find them fascinating. So, you know, I'm really excited to expand my social circle, make some new friends, new classes, meet new adviserss, professors. I'm really excited for that aspect, but also the living environment switch up is going to be fun. I feel like getting to live on my own with my um roommate and explore the Raleigh area. I feel like it's going to be a lot of fun. I would love to do research in the academia part of it is something I'm very interested in. I would love to go to Brazil and work in the rainforest. I feel like that would be amazing for zoolology. All the different animals that live over there and the biodiversity that they have that is it doesn't even compare to what
039we have here the US [Music] It's a great day to be here at Wilson's Mills High School, the future home of the Green Waves. Um, we just had our beam signing and topping out ceremonies. [Music] So, we've just set the last piece of structural steel on Wilson's Mills High School. [Music] Um, as you can see behind me, this is going to be the future front entrance of Wilson's Mills High School. Um, currently there's exterior sheathing going on, finishing up some concrete field houses, but we've already got a lot of exciting things like the grand stands. Um, a lot of the concrete has been poured, get ready to do some waterproofing and brick. We're excited about where we're at in this process and where we're going. We're also really excited because not only are we only
040a little over 400 days from opening this school up to our teachers to come in, but for our students to be able to be on this campus and to be able to use all the athletic facilities and the school as we start a new season for the green wave. And we are just grateful for everybody's participation from the taxpayers to the commissioners to the board of education. And we look forward to the progress over the next 400 days as we get to completion. [Music] Johnston County Public Schools is such an amazing place where you know that the teachers and the students are cared so much for. You walk into any school and you just feel the sense of community um around you whether you're in the classroom or whether you're in the office or even
041up at county offices, you just feel like the sense of community within all the people. I think what I like most is that I'm always learning as well as my students are always learning. Learning is definitely something that Johnston County Schools takes so seriously and you know that your students have the best teachers and I always feel so supported by my support staff and by my administration and I just know that they have my best interest at heart as well as my students. I would say that Johnston County Public Schools is a community of very strong leaders. No matter where you are, everyone seems to have a sense of leadership and they know what they have to do and they know when they have to do it. I chose Johnston County Public Schools because I
042knew from the beginning that this is where I wanted to be. I was a student at Johnston County Public Schools and there was never a day where I didn't feel safe and loved and cared for as a student. So, I wanted to be that same teacher and care and love for my students the same way I felt. I would tell anyone joining the JCPS family that it's an amazing place to be and I 100% recommend working for this district. I have loved every single second of it and no matter what school you are at, you will know that you will be supported and loved and cared for. My name is Allison Beu. I'm a teacher at Riverwood Elementary and great things are happening in JCPS. [Music] To me, working in Johnson County Public Schools means
043growth. Not only growth for our students, but our educators as well as parents. This district provides so many opportunities for everyone to grow. And what I really love about this district is that students are supported academically and supported socially and emotionally. So that's this district as a whole means a lot and it definitely focus on making being innovative and creating opportunities for educators to grow. I like the collaboration and about 80% of the professional development that Johnson County has provided for myself and other educators. We are always constantly collaborating. We're growing. We're focused on our students, all of our staff, and how we can better support our parents. So what I enjoy is the collaboration and the dedication. Our district leaders do a great job of providing positive collaborative opportunities for all of us. Throughout
044my internship, I've been able to attend professional developments. We have something called assistant principal institute which is every few weeks and that's been a great opportunity too. It gives me a chance to again increase my toolkit but also have the chance to speak with other assistant principles about what's going on in the district and how we can navigate through different problems. So for those who are interested in being an educational leader, find a district like Johnson County. Find one that is focused on community, focus on growth, and f focus on student academic success because as an educational leader, when you grow, you learn ways to support your students, your staff, and your parents. And as a whole, the school continues to grow. So, if you want a district that not only focuses on student academic
045success, but also the professional growth of you as a leader, then Johnson County is the district you should choose. My name is Crystal Glover. I'm currently a principal intern at Cooper Academy, and great things are happening in JCPS. [Music] What brought me to Johnston County Schools was a better school climate for my son. I didn't know much about Johnston County Public Schools, but I visited Clayton Middle and the warmth that I felt from the administrators when I was interviewed and from the uh receptionist u make me leave that interview saying I want to work here. And then after that it was just opportunities for growth, opportunities to get a lot of support for myself professionally and my students. As a principal of Salem Elementary, I find most rewarding being a lifecher, being able to work
046in a place where you have purpose, where this is a mission, a mission that is uh to build community, to change lives, and it also gives you the opportunity for me to grow as a leader, as a mentor, as a professional, and as a human being. What I would say about anyone who wants to work in Johnson County Public Schools is that this is the perfect place if you want to achieve your dreams as an educator. If you want to feel supported, if you feel that you need to work in a place with true focus on student learning on life uh changing opportunities, this is the place to be. My name is Marissa Rossado, principal of Selma Elementary, and great things are happening in JCPS. [Music] I graduated from NC State last May and I
047got a job at South Johnson High School. So, this is my first year teaching, but I went to Johnson County Public Schools all throughout my life. Oh, it's been phenomenal. I mean, all my co-workers are great people. my admin are very supportive and that's just at my local school. So I I would love to, you know, be able to go out to other schools and meet those wonderful people there. But just so far with my school and the district, all the people I've met, uh, like people around the county office or people who are support staff who work for the, you know, the curriculum people, they're all wonderful people and are all so helpful. So this my time here has been excellent so far. Uh, cuz I went to school here my entire life. I
048started at Forex Elementary, then I went to Forex Middle School, and then South Johnson High School where I graduated. Um, and so it's really nice to be able to kind of, you know, go off to a university, learn some things, learn more about myself, and then be able to come back to these schools in this area to be able to kind of bring that knowledge with me, but also just continue the greatness that I that I experienced growing up. I could kind of help keep that going for, you know, more students down the line. Just the community feel. I mean, if it feels, especially at South Johnson High School, but kind of I kind of mentioned it earlier for everybody I met, it feels the same way. It feels like everybody kind of has like
049a united vision here. Everybody's on the same path. Everybody's on the same this everyone wants the same end goal, and that is to help students. Like one of my admin at school always says that we're in the student business. That's what we're that's what our job is. And I think everybody kind of has that collective goal, especially at my school. And everyone I've met so far outside of my school in the district um feels the same way. My experience has been so great so far. This my first year and that is because they're in the student business and I feel like that every day because of the shared experience that I've had with my admin, the shared experience that I've had with people in the county, the shared is people like you guys who I've
050just met for the first time. Everyone's so nice, friendly, and they all seem like they are pushing towards a common goal. And that's just one of the things I got in education for, and it's one of the reasons I want to stay in education. So, Johnston County is like just everything I've wanted it to be so far. Hi, my name is Austin Denning. I'm a math teacher at South Johnson High School. And great things are happening at JCPS. [Music] I have been with Johnson County Public School for 4 years now and it's been one of the most amazing experiences. From the very beginning, I have felt welcome and supported, not only as an educator, but as a whole person. Being part of a district that supports bilingual education allow me to grow in my role
051as a teacher and while also learning from colleagues and leaders who are truly passionate about student success. What I love most about being part of JCPS is the strong sense of community and collaboration. Whether it is with um fellow teachers, um families, administrators, everyone is working together to help students succeed. I know the district is large, but it still feels personal. We are all working together for a shared purpose that is um but to do what is best for the kids. Someone who is considering uh starting a career at Johnson County School, I would say go for it. JCPS is a place where your your talent and passion will be valued. You will feel inspired, supported, and challenged. It is a district that um believes in its educators and gives you room to grow. My
052name is Mika Costa and I'm a dual language first grade teacher at Selma Elementary School and great things are happening in JCPS language. Yes. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat Heat. Heat. [Music] Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Hey, [Music] Heat. Hey, heat. Hey, heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Hey, Heat. [Music] We're standing here today in beautiful Clayton, North Carolina at the home of Cooper Academy where we're in the middle of a big addition for Cooper. We're excited about this addition. It's going to provide 20 classrooms, some muchneeded upgraded space for this beautiful old school. Um, we're excited about that opportunity. Behind me and around me today are they're getting ready to lay sod and do
053some dirt work. The brick is all up at this school. They're putting some doors and windows in, starting to work on the finishing touches of this school. So, this fall, um, our students and staff will be able to walk into a brand new addition here at Cooper. We're so excited to just bring this to this wonderful community here. [Music] We are so thankful for all the stakeholders that participated in this to make this possible from the county commissioners to school board to ultimately to the taxpayers for Cooper Academy to be able to have this beautiful new addition in this community. [Music] Hello, my name is Aiska Lutell and I'm a recent graduate of Cleveland High School and a recipient of the National College Match Scholarship. [Music] The first word that comes to mind is shock
054because I didn't have one of those moments where I sat down in the kitchen with my parents and filled myself reaction. I was actually in class in biology class at the community college where I take dual enrollment. I got the notification and I was just so excited to know what happened. and I couldn't hold myself back. I remember opening the email and not even seeing where I had matched to. Just seeing the words, you have matched and immediate excitement like flooded through me and that entire day. I was just kind of on a high and being able to tell my parents like boosted that even more. I think one of the key moments of my senior year was definitely my awards ceremony because I saw so many of my friends and peers all throughout high
055school and we were given cords and medals and it was almost tangible proof of all the hard work we had put in throughout our four years and the pride that I experienced especially seeing some of my best friends and me up on that stage being cheered for by family by administrators. It was just a really great moment to like signify, wow, like we have really succeeded a lot within these four years because sometimes it just does feel like it's just school, but in that moment you're like, wow, you did a lot more than just school. I plan to attend Duke University in the fall with a double major in economics and public policy on the pre-law track. I actually immigrated to America when I was 4 years old. And I feel like that part of
056me, not only do I have such pride in being from America, but also being from Nepal where I was born. And I really want to give back not just to America, but now like internationally. And I feel like the end goal for me is to do something in international relations or even being a diplomat. And that's something I'm extremely interested in pursuing later on. I think the best part, like I've mentioned, I've been to eight different schools in my life. And I actually love going to a new school. Like I feel like in that moment you get to learn so much and it's almost not a way to reinvent yourself, but you get to make a new first impression. And I feel like those first impressions are so important. So I just can't wait for
057all these firsts that come with going to college. Like first time meeting someone or first time going to a game. All of these are just so exciting moments and it's almost like getting to restart and I'm really excited for that. Talk to your teachers. Like I feel like in public schools you get such an opportunity because there are so many administrators, there's so many teachers because you are all linked by one county that I've gotten access to talk to so many different teachers, not just in my own school. And that is something that I'm definitely going to take to me wherever I go, even through college, through professional life, is talk to the people who are there to help you. Teachers, professors, they're all there to help you. They're such a like a guide. They
058are really like a lamp post at your feet that you can like follow the light to. They are just amazing people and I feel like I've always gained something by talking to my teachers and I definitely hope to build as strong connections with my professors as I did with my teachers throughout my time in public school. [Music] Hi, my name is Nor Isa. I'm a recent graduate of Johnson County Career and Technical Leadership Academy and I am a recipient of the Jay Kent Cook Scholarship. [Music] At first I was really surprised. I'm like, "Am I reading this right? Is this telling me what I think is telling me?" And I remember like cuz I was in my bed when I opened it. It was early in the morning. I jumped out of bed. [Music]