Acceptance speeches after promotions like a church revival at MCSD board meeting

It’s become a joyful tradition at Muscogee County School Board meetings.

After the board approves administrators for promotion or hire, they give often inspiring acceptance speeches. The rousing remarks from Terri Myers and Felicia Thompson during last week’s meeting are excellent examples.

Myers, the School Improvement Grant administrator at Spencer High School the past three years, was promoted to principal of Rothschild Leadership Academy. She replaces Michael Forte. Last month, Muscogee County School District Superintendent David Lewis transferred Forte to Early College Academy to succeed retiring principal Susan Willard.

Thompson, the assistant principal at South Columbus Elementary School the past two years, was promoted to principal of Allen Elementary School. She replaces Karen Garner. Last month, Lewis transferred Garner to Britt David Magnet Academy to succeed retiring principal Clara Davis.

Myers infused the boardroom with spirit right from the beginning of her speech.

“This has been a long walk,” she said, “and I definitely want to start off by giving God the glory.”

The crowd responded, “Amen.”

Myers thanked Lewis for “trusting me with your babies” and for the “opportunity to serve,” and she called her new responsibility “a covenant.”

She thanked the board for its vote of confidence, the cabinet and other administrators who played a part in her professional growth.

Myers noted she went to high school with Forte, both graduating from Carver in 1984. “He’s like my brother from another mother,” she said, “so it’s only fitting that this happened.”

She also thanked her family and church.

“I am a product of the Muscogee County School District,” Myers said, sparking applause. “I am a proud graduate of the George Washington Carver High School. … I stand on the shoulders of giants.”

Then she listed some of them:

▪ Former superintendent Braxton Nail, who “woke up that leader in me.”

▪ Former administrator Marie DeRamus, then the assistant principal at Fort Middle School, who “woke up the teacher in me.”

▪ Her teachers at Carver High School and former principals Harry Vernon and Joe Saulsbury, who “woke up something in me.”

“So I stand here like a little girl,” Myers said. “Though I’m 51, I feel like a little girl, because I’m making them proud. And I want them to see that their labor was not in vain and that everything they did for me, everything that caused me to believe, got me to where I am today.”

With her voice rising and the crowd cheering her on, Myers concluded, “And when I go to Rothschild Leadership Academy, I want every student to feel like I’m feeling now, to know that what was poured into me was on good ground. And if we do it, if we are people around you that love you, that you have people, a community, that embraces you, you can do all things.

“… I look forward to serving them. I look forward to working. I look forward to rolling my sleeves up. I’m looking forward to being a part of making the Muscogee County School District a premier school district, and we at Rothschild Leadership Academy, the Falcons, we rise!”

Thompson thanked her family and colleagues for their support. She reminded Lewis that, during her interview, he told her, “Being a leader can be a lonely thing sometimes.” After the crowd’s laughter subsided, Thompson added, “But I am definitely not alone.”

To her South Columbus Elementary family, she said, “I want you to continue to soar and make a difference for students and for their parents.”

She said South Columbus principal Dawn Jenkins has been “my toughest critic but my biggest advocate. Thank you for everything you’ve done. I will definitely miss you.”

Thompson thanked region chiefs James Wilson and Terry Baker.

To the faculty and staff at Allen, she said, “I look forward to building a relationship with you. Together we will grow and we will inspire, equip and guide students to achieve their ultimate potential.”

The crowd showered Myers and Thompson with separate ovations as they returned to their seats.

This story was originally published June 28, 2017 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Acceptance speeches after promotions like a church revival at MCSD board meeting."