This month’s National Renaissance Staffulty™ of the Month is Judy Perrine of Kingman Academy of Learning Middle School in Kingman, AZ. Their nominator Tony Victory wrote:
When it comes to school culture and climate, our Renaissance sponsor, Mrs. Perrine, is responsible for making it happen at our school. She has a class of 30 students that she sees 3 days a week for an elective class at the end of the school day. She leads the team of students and together they make sure that staff and students are recognized as many ways and times that they can come up with… I could go on and on with the different projects, gifts, and activities that Mrs. Perrine spearheads with our Renaissance students that benefit so many people. But at the end of the day, Mrs. Perrine is a difference maker in the lives of our students and staff because she CARES ABOUT THEM. She will listen to any student who wants to talk and be that friend they need when needed. I know this is true based on the number of high school students that come back on a regular basis juts to say hello and see how she is doing. Our school is better because of Mrs. Perrine and I cannot think of anyone more deserving than her for all that she does for our school.
How long have you been involved with Renaissance?
Six years!
What’s a favorite Renaissance moment for you?
One of my favorite Renaissance moments happened a couple of months ago. Every year, our Renaissance class sponsors a sock drive for one week. We try to collect a little more socks than we collected the previous year. Last year, we collected 413 pairs of socks so this year our goal was to collect at least 500 pairs of socks. We advertised in our local newspaper, Facebook, Instagram, etc. that we were having our annual sock drive. Imagine our surprise and happiness when our school, community, and even a Jostens Renaissance school in another state (Horizon Middle School in Colorado) donated socks to our sock drive! Not only did we reach our goal, but we exceeded it. We collected 2,500 pairs of socks that we were able to donate to several local organizations and also to the other school district in our town. It was such a great feeling knowing that we were able to help so many people in our community.
How has Renaissance impacted your school’s culture?
Renaissance has impacted our school culture in such a positive way because we have been using and following the principles of the Jostens Results formula: Respect, Recognize, Reward, Reinforce, Relationships, and Results. Each year we continue working on ways to improve, support, and implement these principles to make our students, school, and staff stronger and better than the previous year. This year our principal purchased 3 WWE belts (one for each grade level) that is given weekly to the student of the week in each grade level. Students chosen as the student of the week are given the belt to wear or carry and keep for the week. Their name is announced during our morning announcements, their picture is taken and hung up in the office, their parents are contacted, they get to show off the belt and they are again recognized at our end of the quarter Recognition Rally. This is definitely one of the highlights that the students look forward to weekly and at the Recognition Rally.
How has Renaissance affected you personally?
Renaissance has affected me personally because I believe in the principles of the Jostens Results formula. It is something I try to instill in my Renaissance students who then try to instill these principles throughout our school. I feel privileged that over the years I’ve been able to have such amazing students be part of helping, leading, and improving the climate and culture at our school. These students not only help make our school a better place but also help make our community a better place. They represent our future and I’m honored that I’ve been a part of it.
What advice would you give to someone just starting with Renaissance?
Advice I would give to someone just starting Renaissance is to have an “ALL IN” (thanks Gian Paul Gonzalez) mindset. Find others that feel the same way, want to share the Renaissance vision and work together to achieve this goal. My principal always says “Teamwork makes the dream work”, so find that team. Start slowly, be prepared to be flexible, never give up on the end goal and stay ALL IN mentally, physically, and emotionally not only during the easy times but during the challenging times as well.
Ms. Perrine will receive a tote bag and a lapel pin to recognize her achievement.