Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.”  President Lincoln understood that people who excel take time to sharpen their skills.  They never stop developing, growing, learning and improving.  It takes more than desire to excel – it takes skill and preparation.  Therefore, you are never wasting your time when you’re sharpening your axe.

Teaching is a dynamic profession that requires teachers to continually update their professional skills.  Teachers regularly attend professional development sessions in order to stay current on educational trends and pedagogy practices, and also to keep up with the rapid and continuous changes in technology.  Teachers who do not continually grow become stagnant and unproductive in the classroom.

Educators are constantly involved in ongoing professional training related to the ever-increasing academic standards, the integration of technology, and curriculum delivery updates.   School safety and discipline, character education, and sportsmanship are other areas where teachers must grow so they can better address the needs of their students.  In order to have effective school leaders, it is also necessary to have teachers involved in professional development related to becoming a school administrator.

Ongoing and meaningful professional development is an essential part of the culture of an effective school.  Educators must constantly sharpen their proverbial “axe” to effectively serve students.  The motto of Brewton City Schools, therefore, is as equally applicable to teachers as it is to students.  Indeed, it is essential that “Everybody Learns, Everyday!”

It’s a great time to be a T.R. Miller Tiger!