Principal Gregory Parks empowers his students with the Leadership Data Talk at Usher- Collier Heights Elementary

Every Monday morning Principal Gregory Parks starts his students and staff with the Leadership Data Talk.

The Talk encourages and motivates his staff and students for the week ahead. Parks said that his students are valuable stakeholders, and at Usher-Collier Heights, their goal is to empower them with different types of data such as achievement, attendance, suspension and volunteerism to support their everyday decisions.

Along with the data talk, Parks shares motivational stories and quotes; and this week, he even played an inspiring song by Mali Music called “Beautiful”. He says that he chose this particular song because “our children are beautiful inside and out”.

“They need to hear and feel this as much as possible from people that serve them,” explained Parks.  

Occasionally, he will also surprise students with a guest speaker to give encouraging words on different leadership topics. Monday, Comer Yates, the executive director of the Atlanta Speech School visited Usher. He spoke to the children about heroes. Yates shared how they too can be heroes, as long as they believe in themselves first.

The Leadership Data Talk started two years ago to support the school’s culture of excellence.

“We are preparing our students to maximize their potential and to believe in their goals and dreams,” said Parks.

Principal Parks says that the overall feedback from students and staff is good and that the student’s unique learning goals are showing up within APS’ internal achievement data.

After breakfast, encouraging words and music— the Usher Collier Heights students were ready for a great week.