Principal Godwin credits culture shift, student supports for Roger Bell’s progress

Miss Godwin, principal of Roger Bell New Tech Academy, told fifth-grader Priscilla Buckout that she hopes her legacy will be a school community of lifelong learners with grit and teamwork.

Asked by Buckout during a classroom interview, Miss Godwin said the hardest part of her job is balancing responsibilities — ensuring students learn and enjoy school while communicating with parents and supporting teachers. "The hardest part is probably juggling all the responsibilities and trying to keep a balance of making sure you all are learning and having fun and that I communicate with your parents what's happening at school," she said.

The principal emphasized a sustained cultural shift at the school over the past four years, citing higher staff and student morale: "We have worked really hard to make sure that the community is proud of Roger Bell and that our students and staff are proud of where they walk into every single day," she said. She said classrooms are active and teachers are excited about instruction rather than silent or passive learning.

Miss Godwin described specific routines for supporting students who struggle academically or behaviorally. She said she, teachers and staff members including Miss Bayless and Miss Wilson "meet all the time" to review data and decide whether to hold parent conferences, change instructional approaches or adopt new programs to help students learn. "What can we do to help that student? Do we need to have a conference with their parents or do we need to get a new program or change the way we're teaching to really help students understand what they're learning?" she asked.

On programming decisions, Miss Godwin said the school improvement team — which includes teachers such as Miss Martin and Mr. Allen — meets several times a month to review test results, surveys from students, parents and staff, and to decide which activities will improve both academic measures and school culture.

She also highlighted technology and hands-on learning as priorities. "We've really learned a lot about iPads and robots and coding and Lego over the past four years that we've been able to bring to all of you," she said, noting students sometimes teach staff new tools.

Asked about being named principal of the year, Miss Godwin called the recognition "an honor" and stressed it reflected the work of students, staff and the wider community rather than one person. She said her favorite part of the job is the relationships: "There are 400 of you that I get to see every day. And I learn about you. I pop into family time and hear about you, and hear about what's going on in your world." She added that she spent 12 years teaching fifth grade and began teaching at age 21, which shaped her approach as a principal.

The interview concluded with Miss Godwin recommending the book Tuck Everlasting to fifth-graders for its figurative language and themes about growing up. She closed by encouraging students to enjoy being children and to continue learning.

Miss Godwin did not discuss district-level policy, budget details or any formal administrative actions during the interview; her remarks focused on school culture, instructional supports and program selection.