Principal James Rinella said the William Campbell Combined School staff took the past 80 days to reflect on what it did well last year and to make some decisions on needed changes to better serve the students.
For the new school year, William Campbell will expand its intervention and enrichment schedule and will focus on math and English.
“We will work towards reducing our failure rates in all tested math areas by 10 percent,” Rinella said. “By enhancing the schedule from last year, we believe this will serve as one of the key components in meeting this goal.”
A new reading program will be launched to help students who read below grade level and to expose all students to new experiences through reading. Club offerings will be expanded in both the middle and high schools to create more connections and a sense of belonging for William Campbell students.
“More academic supports will be developed to help our students who participate in extracurricular activities,” Rinella said.
He added about 45 percent of eighth- through 12-grade students are involved with after-school programs.
“Each of these goals were laid out during our opening faculty meeting,” Rinella said. “At the end of the meeting, all of our teachers, counselors and administrators made a recommitment to the PRIDE (Positive, Respectful, Inspiring, Determined and Effective) that drives William Campbell. It was a promise to have General PRIDE in all we do. I now challenge our students to have same.”
In addition to new programs, Rinella also hired five new teachers for the 2012-13 year.
Jessica Dill will teach English 9; Hailey Love will teach athletic training I; Andy Poindexter will teach sixth- through 12-grade band; Drew Rutledge will teach six-grade science; and Cathy Williamson will teach 10th-grade English.
Dill received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education with an English K-12 endorsement from Liberty University.
“I believe in a learner-centered teaching philosophy, which seeks to engage students in a curriculum that is relevant to them and differentiates based on the students’ current knowledge and skills,” she said. “I am looking forward to learning from and collaborating with my co-workers and my students.”
Love graduated from Texas Lutheran University with a Bachelor of Science in athletic training. She also has a Master of Education in kinesiology and athletic training from the University of Virginia.
“I want to provide students with any and every opportunity to be as successful as they can be, as well as be a role model for students who want to pursue a degree in athletic training,” she said. “I look forward to knowing each member and student of the William Campbell family. I am excited to teach this year’s athletic training course.”
Love grew up in Texas with her mother, Christie Clark, and sister, Bradie Guilliams. She enjoys anything outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. She also enjoys working out and playing with her Rottweiler puppy, Zeke.
Poindexter is a 2009 graduate of Christopher Newport University. He received a bachelor’s degree in music education and, in 2013, graduated from Lynchburg College with a master’s in instrumental conduction.
“Teaching music provides a means by which students can bridge all academic subjects and think analytically, judicially and creatively. Any student can learn, achieve and succeed when given the right opportunities and moral support. Music is one such opportunity and helps to cultivate confidence and self-efficiency,” he said. “I am looking forward to the first holiday concert in December.”
Poindexter regularly plays jazz piano in and around the Lynchburg area with his jazz combo called Swing Theory. He is in his first year teaching, but worked at William Campbell the past two years as an assistant marching band director and as a student teacher.
Rutledge graduated from William Campbell on the softball field and was part of the only female sports team to win a state championship.
Rutledge attended Bridgewater College, where she earned a degree in health and exercise science.
“I believe that by teaching, I can make a positive difference in my students, my community and my school. The impact I make on these students will shape their futures and make them better people, as well as lifelong learners,” she said. “I look forward to showing students that everyone can learn if they try.”
Rutledge is the daughter of Dale and Cynthia Rutledge. She has two sisters, Dagen Rutledge and Jill Pritt.
Williamson comes to William Campbell with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Lynchburg College.
“Reading and writing helps to provide the foundation for lifelong learning. I want to provide a positive classroom atmosphere that encourages students as they develop those essential skills,” she said. “I look forward to having the opportunity to build upon the knowledge my students already have and watch them grow in their understanding of language, literature and the world around them.”
Williamson enjoys writing and hopes to one day write a novel. She and her husband, the Rev. John Williamson, have six children and five grandchildren.