Frances Carey
Principal
Evergreen Avenue School, 160 N. Evergreen Avenue, Woodbury, NJ 08096
Category: Elementary Principal - Southern Region
Frances Carey has been an elementary school principal since 1995 and the principal of Woodbury’s Evergreen Avenue School since 1997.
"Our mission," she said, "is to foster a learning community in which all acquire knowledge and use that knowledge in meaningful ways." And to acquire knowledge, "literacy is paramount. I review student writing monthly, responding to the development of the craft."
Ms. Carey approaches core curriculum with the same unwavering focus on desired outcomes. "With each change comes the question Ñ how does this move children forward?"
Ms. Carey believes that too many students fail because teaching methods are not fine tuned to resonate with the way different students learn. By abandoning the "one size fits all" mentality, and by using specifically designed observational tools, she seeks to have her faculty pinpoint problems and strengths more accurately, and to use that information to create highly individualized student management plans.
She also recognizes the unique strength of young minds. "Neurologically, the child’s mind is more facile than the adult’s. Our Mandarin [Chinese language] study enhances flexibility, creativity, divergent thinking and higher order thinking skills."
Ms. Carey is a strong believer in the importance of communication with parents and community members. To her, developing relationships with parents means first getting them into the schoolhouse. She does that through a series of events and programs, including an annual Chinese New Year Celebration and a number of evenings featuring the students. "The parents love to see their children perform.. . so we have the talent show, the poetry reading, and multi-cultural programs."
Evergreen also has representatives from the public library, the local Rotary Club, and local police and fire departments to talk with the children. "Though unsophisticated in design, the programs in our school welcome parents and provide for our students. Everyone now feels more at home in school."
Superintendent Judith A Wilson is enthusiastic about Ms. CareyÔs approach to education. "At Evergreen, everything is focused on student achievement. Fran models, shares, coaches, and mentors for her faculty in order to promote effective teaching. Every employee is clear about the challenges, goals and processes, and there is a high level of collaboration and positive strength that elevates the staff to great heights."
William H. Fleming, President, Woodbury Board of Education, has equally positive words. "Fran Carey is an exceptional principal ... the entire district can "boot-strap" on her success. We are all more willing to change, to expand our horizons, and to stand and be accountable [because of her]. I am proud of her accomplishments, grateful for her contributions, and confident that the future is in extraordinary hands."