May 6, 2024 – Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools were recognized and well represented at this year’s annual Magnet Conference with Magnet Schools of America.
Representatives from Diggs-Latham Elementary School, Mineral Springs Elementary School, Mineral Springs Middle School, Reynolds High School, Atkins High School, Hanes Middle School, Paisley IB Magnet School, and Wiley Middle School traveled to the midtown area of New York City for the conference. The conference is held in a different city and state each year, which provides opportunities to see several school districts in action. Throughout the conference, student groups from the area schools are also present for performances.
Magnet Conference cities also provide opportunities to see how magnet education positively influences careers and student futures. On an evening on their own, several magnet coordinators attended a Broadway play, including seeing Wicked with a former Reynolds student debuting in his first Broadway Musical.
The annual conferences with Magnet Schools of America are a culmination of keynote speakers, workshops, sessions, vendors, and more. Teachers, magnet coordinators, leaders, and magnet educators come together to network and share ideas. Sessions address marketing and social media, logistics of magnet certification, best practices, projects, and events related to magnet themes. Educational vendors fill a grand ball with tables of information, manipulatives, giveaways, photo moments, and more.
Magnet keynote speakers often have a background in education, writing, or other related fields. One keynote speaker, Brandon Fleming, is an author and speaker. He shared his personal story and encouraged educators not to give up on troubled students. He shared that he made it all the way to college without knowing how to read well – it took one college professor who showed Fleming genuine care to change his life forever. His keynote address was challenging and inspiring, and his story will be a movie soon.
This year, Magnet Coordinator Pamela Henderson-Kirkland from Reynolds High School presented a session entitled, “Arts Voice: Implementing Visual, Performing, and Written Arts as Literacies in Secondary Education.” Kirkland’s session walked participants through a series of hands-on activities that illustrated how visual, written, and performing arts can be integrated for deeper, cross-curricular learning.
Four WS/FCS magnet schools were also honored with National Merit Awards from MSA. Hanes was recognized at the conference awards dinner as a National Merit School of Excellence for its thriving STEM programs. Atkins, Reynolds, and Diggs-Latham were recognized during regional meetings as National Merit Schools of Distinction. Atkins was noted for its STEM curricula, Reynolds for its emphasis on creativity, inclusivity, and exploration, and Diggs-Latham for its integration of arts and academics.
To receive a national merit award, members of MSA must submit a detailed application that is scored by a panel of educators. These schools are judged and scored on their demonstrated ability to raise student academic achievement, promote racial and socioeconomic diversity, provide integrated curricula and instruction, and create strong family and community partnerships that enhance the school’s magnet theme. Magnet Coordinators Stephanie Anderson, Monta Ervin, Pamela Henderson-Kirkland, and Amanda Gordon shared that they were honored to represent their schools at the National Conference and receive merit awards. Networking with Magnet Educators from around the country helps coordinators and administrators evaluate what they are doing well and plan next steps for enhancing their programs.
To learn more about Magnet Schools of America or the national merit awards program, please visit www.magnet.edu
Submitted by Magnet Coordinator Amanda Gordon, Diggs-Latham Elementary School