Superintendents Message

Patrick Dubbs
Superintendent
Wayne Local Schools
Superintendent’s Message
May 20, 2011

Profile in Excellence

“The long term goal is an independent adult who is ready for life.”

                                                                                                Abby Shinkle

Our May “Profile in Excellence” is found teaching 8^th grade social studies, in the person of Mrs. Abby Shinkle.  Mrs. Shinkle is a graduate of Waynesville High School and is finishing her 15^th year at Waynesville Middle School.  She has developed a stellar reputation in Warren County for the consistently outstanding performance of her students on the Ohio Achievement Assessment. 

Abby is an excellent example of a true literacy teacher in a subject area that has traditionally been viewed as “non-literacy” based.  Her building principal, Tom Olson, views Mrs. Shinkle as “an excellent teacher because she teaches students read-to-learn strategies and how to cope with unfamiliar vocabulary and non-fiction text.”  Her use of core literacy skills gives each learner the tools to become a life-long learner and enhanced opportunities in the 21^st century.

Abby constantly has professional dialogue with colleagues to find new ways to “buff up” her teaching (as she says).  Mrs. Shinkle loves teaching history and helping students see the many connections in social studies.  She says, “The many connections between the past and present are excellent ways to teach our students how they will impact the world in which they live.”  When asked to define excellence, Mrs. Shinkle had this to say:  “Excellence in education is a classroom with a rigorous and relevant environment.  This framework allows students to be engaged in daily reading, writing, and higher level thinking exercises. The overall outcome is to observe a student making independent decisions based on reasoning that is supported by facts that have been gathered and analyzed.  The long term goal is an independent adult who is ready for life!”

Mrs. Abby Shinkle’s ability to reach students and make history come alive is indeed a gift, a passion, and one of the many reasons she is a “Profile in Excellence” teacher at Wayne Local Schools.

Pat Dubbs, Superintendent