Ms. Malloy works for Harmony School of Excellence-Endeavor since 2009. She is currently the Dean of Students.
- How and when did your Harmony experience start? What positions have you assumed so far?
I began working for Harmony School of Excellence- Endeavor in 2009. I started as a Social Studies teacher for 6th-8th grade. The content area was perfect because my Bachelor’s degree is in History. In 2010, I was promoted to Assistant Principal, Dean of Students. I remained in the classroom as well teaching 8th grade Social Studies. Currently, I am still the Dean of Students and I teach two sections of 8th grade Social Studies, coordinate all student activities, organize field trips, and integrate fundraisers into the school to help the PTO fund multiple projects.
- What is the difference between working as an administrator and a teacher at Harmony?
A teacher is specific to the classroom teaching content and objectives. Part of the curriculum includes best practices in the classroom, differentiated learning techniques, learner-centered teaching solutions, and mastery of the content area. It also includes lesson plans, weekly grades, and assignments. An administrator is specific to the school. Not only do I do all of the above, but handle issues in the school on a more complex level. I am responsible for behavioral issues in 5th-8th grade, assigning Saturday detentions, helping the school build the activity fund for student services, assisting the PTO with student/parent/teacher functions, and creating a climate that students feel safe and comfortable to be in. All of this coincides with being an advocate for students and their voice when nobody else listens.
- What makes Harmony Public Schools unique when we compare with the traditional public schools?
Traditional public schools seem to only care about the numbers. Let’s pass the students regardless if they maintain the skill and mastery of content areas to proceed to the next grade level. I always compared public schools to teachers coming in to work the required 8 hours and go home. Harmony is different. We genuinely care about the success of all the students. We offer tutorials after school and on Saturdays. Teachers will go above the necessary means to help a student achieve. We do not set up students up for failure, but rather success. The number of student and teacher ratio is much smaller. Many classes have a maximum of 25 students. We are able to work more one-on-one with the students versus large groups that make teaching ineffective. Our students succeed. All of our campuses are at least Academically Acceptable, if not Recognized to Exemplary. When we promote a student to the next grade level, we are confident the student is prepared to continue.
- How does Harmony close the achievement gap among the students?
We work tirelessly and will not give up. We do not accept failure. No matter what the student’s background is, what district he or she came from, or if they possess the skills to master the objectives, we will work to close the gap so all students are capable of achieving success.
- Do you think Harmony Public Schools can be good role models for other schools with their gang-free and drug-free policy?
Absolutely. I am confident that other schools can learn how to use best strategies in their own campuses. A student that is challenged daily has little time to think about drugs or gangs. They are brought to us for the safety aspect, the education continuum, and most important to receive a quality education that will help them in their life-long journey. Maintaining consistency every day and paying attention to detail will ensure a campus can remain gang-free and drug-free. The key is to care. I know every students name and usually how they are doing academically.
- Can you tell us more about the student-parent-teacher triad at Harmony?
Our teachers work with our parents consistently to maintain the educational environment from the school to the home. We keep our parents advised of any complications that arise academically or behaviorally. The communication lines are open and the teachers offer multiple ways of communicating. This includes email, telephone, and even the website. We want our parents to view our school as a community of learning that includes all members of the team. That relationship helps the student work to their maximum potential. Our campus leaders know that we can always lean on the parents in time of need for any upcoming event or activity.
- How does Harmony’s contribution take place to the community it belongs?
Our campus is part of the Acres Homes Beautification Process. We help by cleaning up the areas around the school through litter collection and planting trees and flowers. The campus is also located in an area that students may have never had the opportunity to gain a quality education. The local school districts do not represent the quality the parents are looking for. So they turn to us. We also work with the local businesses to help them market their product. So the rewards are symbiotic for the campus and the local community.
- Final words…
Harmony helps the staff grow. I recently completed my Master’s degree and could not have completed some of the required trainings without Harmony. They also assist our teachers with their certification process or any trainings they need to professional help them grow and become an effective teacher for our students.
