Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Avery.
Hi Annie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always loved school…the friends, the teachers, the notebooks, the pencils, the books, the projects, and activities. I first fell in love with my 3rd-grade bus driver and, for sure, wanted to be a bus driver when I grew up so I could be as cool as Mrs. Medley. I always worked at summer camps, babysat, and tutored until I entered the education field in college. I went to Florida Southern College and triple majored in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education. I then went on to Florida State University and got my Master’s degree in Early Childhood. I spent 24 years in the classroom, mostly in kindergarten. I always held leadership positions within my school and received a second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. When my daughter graduated high school, I moved to high school administration. I spent three years at the high school level getting experience in discipline, activities director, student government, leadership, and graduation. Now, I am at the Ina A. Colen Academy as the Founding Principal of a public charter school.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The road has been adventurous, bumpy, and fun! Being a full-time working parent and trying to get a second Master’s degree is not easy for anyone at any level, but the hardest part of moving up in the education field is that the rules are constantly changing. One year you must take an Aspiring Administrators course, the next you are put in a “pool”, the following year might be a series of interviews and then back to another Administrators course”. All of this even after you have completed the State of Florida’s, Florida Educators Leadership Exam and have an Educational Leadership master’s degree. I am fortunate to be where I am and how I got here because it was an independent school board with their own search committee. It was not the norm of the constant changes and requirements of the county school board.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of the fact that I am not so far removed from the classroom that I forget what it was like to be there. I can identify with teacher struggles and feel my strength is that I can connect with them because I have done exactly what they are doing. I spoil my teachers, I let them teach how they want to teach and have fun all while following the state standards. I do not micromanage what skill they are on and that they are all doing it at the same time and in the same way. I let them know they are appreciated and valued.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Place the most value in your team… not just the teachers, everyone! When you staff feels loved and appreciated, it shines through in the work, dedication, and trust.
Contact Info:
- Website: iacafl.org
