My name is Christy Bass Adams. I am a product of the Madison County School system and have lived here my whole life. I taught at Madison County Central School from 2005-2010.

My kids attended Pinetta Elementary School then moved to Central. I have volunteered with their schools since day one and will continue until they graduate.

When I started at Central as a new teacher in 2005, morale was low, discipline was tough, and most teachers were left to either sink or swim. The administrators changed every year and the supports for teachers were limited. But I always believed in Central.

I fought the consolidation last year. Not because I didn’t like Central, but because there was value in the smaller schools. But when the district consolidated, I stopped fighting and joined the team.

I will always be a part of the solution and this year joined the staff at MCCS as a part-time math interventionist for upper elementary.

So, what are my thoughts about Central?

My oldest son had an amazing experience. He made friends, excelled academically, and joined Beta Club. His confidence grew and his personality blossomed. My youngest joined chorus, Beta Club, and loves his classes.

As an employee now, I get an inside peek. The hallways are calm in the mornings and very inviting (something I hadn’t experienced fifteen years earlier). Teachers have a team spirit and willingly help each other.

Do we still have discipline issues? Of course. Kids are being raised by screens and taught by social media heroes that disrespect is acceptable. But our deans, administration, and SRD’s are quick to arrive. They are invaluable.

 I’m not sure why the district has chosen to nitpick our school’s cleanliness, but our janitors work hard and show love, kindness, and care to our students.

Our team of paraprofessionals actively helps in classrooms during intervention times and beyond. Administration analyzes schedules and assigns paraprofessionals accordingly. I would have LOVED consistent support back when I started.

The specialized interventionists offer teachers and students focused, data-informed instruction with amazing results. I longed for this as a teacher, and now, I’m a part of that solution.

Our reading and math coaches train teachers like baseball coaches train their team. They teach and model excellent instruction, hold weekly Professional Learning Communities, and are present in classrooms with guidance and professionalism. They are so valuable.

The interventionists, coaches, and paraprofessionals are vital. Removing any of those positions would sabotage the great progress of MCCS. The growth and progress I see is tremendous.

My heart grieves watching board meetings and workshops.

There is a hidden agenda.

Lifetime employees are leaving.

Selfish motives seep through decisions.

And I see what appears to be intentional attacks on the good things happening at MCCS and the good people in our district.

I stand with our excellent administrative team at MCCS.

And I stand with God. I walk those halls and silently pray for our teachers and students. I pray for our district and its leaders.

In closing, here is my prayer: That God would expose all that is hidden and nothing would remain concealed that should be brought into the light. That we will never back down from what is right, no matter the oppression that comes our way or from where it originates.