Newington principal pushes positive school environment
Running a school is not a 40-hour-a-week job.
"You live it and breathe it. You want the best for everyone in the building," said Cammy Groome, who is in her 10th year as principal of Newington Elementary School. "(The biggest challenge) is just trying to feel like you're giving all the time and attention to all the areas that need it."
Her attentiveness has paid off. Last December, she was named the state's 2009 National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. She was recognized along with 62 other honorees in an awards ceremony Oct. 23. She's the fourth elementary school teacher in Dorchester School District 2 to be so honored.
While the national organization doesn't offer a monetary award for the recognition, Groome did receive a $300 prize from Horace Mann Insurance through the South Carolina Association of School Administrators.
As she was planning her trip to the awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., away from her school for two days, she had a plan to stay in touch with her students.
"We've found a camera at one of the intersections that broadcasts online," she said before she left. "I'm going to try to stand in front of it and wave while showing it on our morning announcements."
It's typical of Groome's approach to leading Newington Elementary. She doesn't want to sit in her office all day, although she says there are times when responsibilities can keep her there longer than she realizes.
It's more important to Groome to be in the hallways or sitting in for a few minutes in a classroom, making sure there's a positive school environment.
"Anytime I can be out in the halls with the students and teachers, that's my favorite part of the day. That's where the magic happens," she said.
Groome projects an inviting warmth as she walks through Newington, and her visibility has put students at ease when she approaches. As children were getting ready to board their buses after school one day, Groome greeted a line of kindergartners with the "dolphin" wave, an undulating motion of the hand in honor of the school's mascot. She greeted several children by name, got a spontaneous hug and listened with interest as a third-grader showed her a book he was enjoying.
She said the students are the ones who keep the job from turning into a chore.
"This young group of kids keeps things fresh. I'm always learning," Groome said. "There's always a challenge that you haven't had before. It's always engaging."
Groome said the 18 years she spent as a teacher has contributed to her success as an elementary school principal.
"Having been a high school teacher and middle school teacher, I had a picture of where they were headed," she said.
Groome said she was going to try to make the most of her visit to Washington, D.C., even though her agenda was packed. She also said she regards her award as the result of the diligence of the entire staff and faculty at Newington Elementary.
"We worked hard over the last 10 years in addressing the academic, social and emotional needs of our children and being focused on being a family-friendly school," she said.
Contact Bill Henley at 937-5433 or bhenley@postandcourier.com.
