By Stephanie Springer - bio | email
ALBANY, GA (WALB) - State school superintendent Kathy Cox was greeted with open arms Thursday afternoon at Alice Coachman Elementary School.
Cox stopped at the school to congratulate them on winning the coveted Blue Ribbon award.
"Only a handful of schools in the nation get this honor bestowed upon them by the federal government it's a great honor," said Cox.
She spent more than an hour visiting classrooms, talking to teachers and interacting with students even making a stop to teach kindergarten students a brief lesson on Braille and sign language.
"I was pleased to see them learning about Helen Keller and about deaf and blind students and what they do to learn and education as well," said Cox.
She was also impressed with the caring atmosphere.
"You can tell that the students love and respect their teachers you can sense the love and respect the teachers have for the students," said Cox.
Cox credits the school's recent achievements to hard work and high standards.
"It's about saying all kids can work to high levels and have a set of standards and we can expect kids to reach those standards,"said Cox.
Principal Pat Victor says many factors go into becoming a blue ribbon school such as a committed staff, high expectations, hard work from students and support from parents.
"You see a lot of motivation the kids are happy to be here," said Cox.
The Principal says she is looking forward to putting a flag Cox gave her in the front of the school where everyone can see it, and says she is bubbling over with pride Alice Coachman is among one of the best schools in the nation.
November 1st the Principal and two of her teachers will travel to Washington DC for an award ceremony and they plan on sharing the schools success story with others.
Thursday, Cox also made a stop at Merry Acres, which she says is a turn-around school and is pleased with their success as well.
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