Congrats to WMS' 2020-21 Teacher & ESP of the Year

Walton Middle School proudly congratulates two of its stellar employees!
 

The faculty recently voted for Mrs. Makala Ellenburg, seventh grade math teacher and grade level chair, to be the 2020-21 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Ellenburg works tirelessly each and every day for her students and for her fellow seventh grade teachers. Her professionalism and commitment are unsurpassed, as she goes the extra mile for everyone she comes in contact with.
 

The educational support staff recently voted for Mrs. Guadalupe Lara-Parades, bilingual aide, to be the 2020-21 ESP of the Year. Mrs. Lara-Parades serves as a tremendous asset to our English Language Learners and Spanish I and II students, as well as teachers, staff, and parents. With a growing ELL population, our school values her hard work each and every day.
 

Today and every day, WMS appreciates Mrs. Ellenburg and Mrs. Lara-Parades. Our school is a better place because of their caring hearts and their hard work.

At a recent science club meeting, members created geode ornaments to take home to hang on their trees or give as gifts.  Students used a combination of glitter glass, acrylic paints, epoxy resin, hardener, and spray adhesive to adorn their plastic ornaments.  What a fun way to use science to spread holiday cheer!

Congratulations to Walton Middle School art student Bethany Waites for having her artwork selected as the Walton County representative in the Art in the Capitol Competition. Bethany's artwork will be displayed in the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee during the 2021 Legislative Session.

In July of 2016, the Florida Legislature passed and Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 701 establishing the Art in the Capitol Competition, a statewide visual arts competition for Florida students in grades 6 through 8. Each school district is required to hold an annual art competition with artwork judged by a selection committee consisting of art teachers. The winning art from each district is then displayed in the Capitol.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Principal Jason Campbell and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Hawthorne congratulated Bethany and her art teacher, Brittany Grant, for this achievement.

This is the third consecutive year that the Art in the Capitol Competition winner from Walton County School District has been a student at Walton Middle School, with art teacher Brittany Grant.  

The WISE Pre-K gave a holiday treat from their families. Students sang carols to family and friends. Each class was given time to spotlight their students. The concert was outside with social distancing procedures in effect. Lastly, as principal of the WISE Pre-K, I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff: Faith Anderson, Cindy Bolden, Tyana Kendall, Amy Morse, Sheila Hudson, Justina Pickard, Shannon Mosley, Kimi Parker, Amanda Montgomery, Ashlee Willcox, Debbie McBroom, Jennifer Casey and Michelle Jackson. I am grateful each day for your efforts, you attention to each student and your unyielding compassion.