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OVERCAST Temp: 38 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, December 4, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 30, 2002 Talent Middle School Principal Patti Kinney gets a congratulatory hug from students Kayle Sharpe, left, and Stephanie Smith Tuesday morning. Kinne has been named 2003 national middle level principal of the year. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven An abiding principal Patti Kinney of Talent Middle School was honored with a top national award Tuesday, but she’d already won something as precious — the hearts of her students By DAMIAN MANN n Mail Tribune TALENT — It’s not often that Principal Patti Kinney is the last one to know about an assembly at her school. It’s also not often that 680 students, teachers and community leaders can keep a very big secret from the principal — that she’s been named national middle school principal of the year. "They were very sneaky about keeping it a secret from me," joked the 50-year-old principal. During the surprise assembly in her honor at Talent Middle School Tuesday morning, Kinney, who also was named 2002 principal of the year in Oregon by the Confederation of School Administrators, told her students, "I am very honored, very touched to have received this award." The 2003 national middle level principal of the year honor was given by MetLife and the National Association of Secondary Principals. Kinney was chosen for her work in student-led conferences, health education programs, a peer mediation program, a student leadership club and the dual-language program. Kinney, who has been principal since 1998 and had been assistant principal since 1990, also was one of three authors of the book, "A School-wide Approach to Student-led Conferences," published by the National Middle School Association. As part of the award, her school will receive $10,000. Kinney, congratulated by Rep. Alan Bates, Sen. Lenn Hannon and other civic leaders, said the award is an acknowledgment of the work being done at her school, particularly its teachers. "They know how to do what they do best," she said. Students, who hugged and congratulated their principal, explained why they thought she won this honor. "She’ll give you support if you come to her with problems or needs," said seventh-grader Hannah Wilson. "She goes out of her way to spend quality time with students so that they are successful," said seventh-grader Conrad Hulen. One parent, Annette Johnson, who is also the booster club president, said her family decided to move into the district because of the welcoming atmosphere at the school. "We’ve never been in a place where teachers are willing to go out of their way for kids the way they do here," she said. "In a day when education is a scary place for parents, this is the best place for kids." Health teacher Heather Ayers said teachers have more autonomy at this school than others throughout the state. "I’ve worked with other principals that haven’t allowed that freedom," she said. Some schools have focused more attention on state assessments in recent years, limiting the connection teachers have with students, she said. At Talent Middle School, Ayers said, teachers still have wide latitude in how they teach for the tests. "We know you have to give the ABC’s, but how you cover them is up to the individual teachers," she said. "She has allowed us a lot of freedom to design our own curriculums." Ben Bergreen, superintendent of the Phoenix-Talent School District, said Kinney came up with a class structure that benefits early adolescents by offering core classes that blend subject areas such as English and social studies to help students bond better with their teachers. He said she also hand-picks teachers who work well with early adolescents, then gives them the time they need to work with the students. "The middle school ends up being like an orchestra," Bergreen said, "and Patti is the conductor and everybody’s on key." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S