As principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (TJE), Bonnie Stephens, Ph.D., was proud to accept the honor of runner-up to the National Title 1 Distinguished School Award as an Indiana High Performing Title 1 School on behalf of TJE.
In 2008, Stephens became only the third principal at TJE since the school first opened in 1964. She is a 1997 Valparaiso University graduate, as well as an Indiana State University graduate, earning her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees along with many other stellar accolades.
After being motivated by the book Nickel and Dime by Barbara Ehrenreich, Stephens bought a copy for everyone on the TJE staff, from custodian to teacher. It is a book that looks at the struggle of someone trying to succeed with a minimum wage job while supporting a family. Stephens felt this book was a great tool to help the staff have understanding for some of the families in the TJE district. The book gives insight and allowed for a change in attitude toward academic achievement in the staff. “We needed to change the culture of the building to understand every child in order to work with them and to learn different strategies. (We needed to) take an individual approach,” said Stephens
Utilizing the late start Wednesdays, the staff at TJE collaborates and reviews each individual student’s needs. They strategize and plan together, following the growth and progress of the students' achievements. Stephens said, “I will absolutely not allow a child to fail.” Working together, the dedication and hard work paid off, earning the Title 1 runner-up award for the school.
The Title 1 Award for TJE specifically recognizes the closing gap between paid lunch students and free or reduced lunch students. Studies have proven that students who are more affluent often do better on test scores, specifically the ISTEP test. Stephens feels that all students should be able to learn and achieve their goals. She recently had an experience with a little girl, who said to her, “Mrs. Stephens, when I grow up I want to get my doctorate like you.” Having children learn and be inspired is what the job is all about to Stephens.
With the Title 1 Award, a grant was given to the school of $25,000. Continuing with the approach to better understand the needs of the students, Stephens, along with eight other staff members, took advantage of attending a professional development seminar. The seminar taught everything from the development of the brain to better collaborative efforts. Stephens said, “Each week one of us presents one of the ideas that we learned about at the seminar so that we all can continue to improve.”
The money will also go toward the purchase of much-needed supplies, along with benefiting programs such as the Fluent Reading is Our Goal (F.R.O.G) program.
Clearly without the sheer drive, determination and a genuine love for helping children love to learn, the Title 1 Award would not have been possible. Bonnie Stephens: wife, mother, teacher, is a Valpo Life in the Spotlight, putting the needs of the children first, and making a difference doing it.
Pictured with Mrs. Stephens are F.R.O.G. students: Symonne, SanJuan, Brisa and Katie