Forest Hills Elementary

Reflecting on the summer learning program, it’s clear that the role of coordinators was vital in ensuring the successful implementation of both the elementary and middle school components. The effectiveness of the program was not only reflected in student engagement and achievement, but also in the seamless execution of daily operations—a direct result of strong, hands-on leadership from site coordinators. Summer coordinators served as the bridge between district-level planning and on-the-ground implementation. It is essential to acknowledge that all the summer learning staff members did a wonderful job and were deeply committed to supporting students’ academic and social-emotional growth. However, coordinators, in particular, took on additional responsibilities on top of their existing roles, without receiving additional compensation. Despite this, they remained dedicated, focused, and positive, consistently showing up as leaders and problem-solvers for their teams. Their ability to respond to challenges quickly and maintain a calm, supportive presence was critical in creating a structured and welcoming learning environment. One of the key strengths of the coordinators was their ability to build strong relationships with staff, students, and families. Coordinators who maintained open lines of communication and made themselves consistently visible and available earned the trust of their teams. This trust fostered a collaborative atmosphere, empowering teachers and support staff to do their best work. Their presence and leadership helped maintain consistency and focus throughout the day, which was especially important given the compressed timeline of sixteen days. In summary, Cristy Duffie, Laura Johnson, and Eddie Peeples played an essential role in the overall success of the elementary and middle school programs. Their leadership helped bring vision to reality, ensuring that students were supported, staff were guided, and the program ran efficiently.