A mark of a true professional is someone who works just as hard in the tough times as it is when everything is going well. For Birmingham City Schools, it is those professionals who have made it possible for the new school year to start on time.
Even with all the controversy going on at central office, the principals, teachers and staff knew they had a job to do.
"we're not so much a part of the hoopla. We're not about the drama," said Dave Porter, principal at Minor Elementary School.
His faculty and staff have certainly kept their eyes and ears open to the Birmingham board of education. But they've also kept their hands busy preparing for a new school year.
"The uncertainty didn't bother us, it didn't detract from our mission of educating the boys and girls and we are prepared to do it from day one whether it be august 20th or September 20th," said Porter.
State superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice recognized Birmingham educators' resilience, citing their hard work, even in the midst of layoffs and takeovers.
"Regardless of what's going on around us, the bottom line, the end is that we need to do what got to do to service our children so we have to keep going and keep preparing because we know at some point we have to be ready when they get here," said Debra Fells, a kindergarten teacher at Minor Elementary.
She already is in her classroom cleaning, unpacking books, and preparing lessons. She says children come to her class at different skill levels so the August 20th start date is crucial.
"It's such a relief because we have to work hard to prepare them for where we know they need to be. We have to work hard and we can't waste minute," she said.
Porter says Minor Elementary teachers aren't required to be back until August 16th. But it's hard to keep them away until then.
