Celebrating National Principals Month: Melinda Roulier of Ball Ground ES STEM Academy!

October is National Principals Month! Our Principals are amazing instructional leaders dedicated to ensuring our students learn more, grow more, and achieve more in our classrooms than they could anywhere else!  We’re recognizing these inspiring leaders with special posts throughout the month. Please join us in thanking them for all they do to support our mission of being the highest performing school district in Georgia. 

Ball Ground ES STEM Academy Principal Melinda Roulier

Why did you want to become a teacher?
Deep down, I guess I always knew I’d become a teacher — my mom was a teacher and media specialist — but I didn’t want to be the cliché “teacher’s kid.”  So, going against the advice of my mom, I earned a bachelor of social work degree instead.  During my internship in an elementary school, I realized I didn’t want to work with kids only in moments of crisis — I wanted to be part of their everyday learning and growth.  That’s when I went back to school to earn a second bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and officially start my career in education.  The moral of the story: Mom is always right! 

Who was the most influential teacher in your life?
My fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Martin.  She stood up for me when a classmate was picking on me and never made me feel silly for needing her help.  She was allergic to chalk causing her hands to crack daily but still chose a job that meant writing on the board all day because she loved teaching that much.  And if you weren’t paying attention, she’d toss a high-bounce ball at you with uncanny accuracy.  (I only got hit once because the kid in front of me ducked!)  She was firm but caring.  She showed me that when you build genuine connections and truly know your students, you unlock their full potential as learners.

What’s a favorite memory from your first year as a teacher?
I started teaching first grade in November of 2001 to fill a vacancy that had been open for about a month, so my first year is a bit of a blur!  However, I was lucky to have amazing teammates and mentors who supported me every step of the way.  As students, we all remember that one teacher who made a difference but as teachers, we also remember the students who leave their mark on us.  In my very first class, I had the honor of teaching Emily.  I’m convinced she could have outscored me on any test, even as a first grader.  She pushed me to think outside the box to keep her challenged without making her feel isolated from her classmates.  Emily’s personality stood out as she lifted up her peers and helped them without ever making them feel less capable.  She was my unofficial teacher's assistant and I'm not sure I would have survived without her! 

How did teaching prepare you to be a Principal?
Teaching gave me the foundation I rely on every day as a Principal.  It taught me the importance of building strong relationships with students and families, adapting quickly when things do not go as planned, and seeing every decision through the eyes of both students and teachers.  I learned to celebrate small victories, to use data as a tool rather than a burden, and to remember that every number represents a child with a story.  Those experiences shaped me into a leader who values empathy, patience, and respect for the challenges teachers face, and they keep me grounded in what truly matters for our school community — our students!
 

#CCSDElevateTheExcellence #ThankAPrincipal