Students in Mr. Ivester and Mrs. Butler’s Middle School math classes have found a new love for the subject thanks to the World Math Web site, which allows them to compete in 60-second math competitions with students from all over the world.<br /><br />
“This is a great way for our kids to practice their math skills in a really fun way,” said Kevin Ivester, who teaches sixth-grade math. “Any time they can get on the computer to do math, they are much more motivated and enjoy it more, and playing against students from other countries really brings out their competitive spirit.”<br /><br />
Math students in grades 6-8 logged onto the site to compete in World Math Day on March 4. <br /><br />
“We have been practicing for the past couple of weeks, and the students absolutely love it,” Ivester said. “The questions entail adding, subtracting and multiplying, and you see how many you can get right during the 60-second time period. The Web site shows you who you are playing against in real time as well as how many answers you have gotten right, so you can see how you are stacking up against the other kids. For example, a student in my class might be playing against a kid from Korea, one from India and one from Germany all at once.”<br /><br />
At the end of 60 seconds, the Web site tells the student how he or she placed in relation to the other players and awards points based on the number of correct answers. It also keeps track of the participants’ total scores and percentages so they can track how they are doing over time. <br /><br />
“So far, in a two-week time period, the sixth-grade class has answered over 31,000 questions correctly,” Ivester said. “Chris Edwards is the current class champ, answering 3,300 questions correctly, with a single game score of 58 correct answers in 60 seconds. Kyle Wagers is a close second, with 3,200 correct answers and single game score of 57.” <br /><br />
In Butler’s class, the top score belongs to Nicolas Burgess with 4,295.<br /><br />
“Most of my students’ participation has been at home to this point; however, their participation in World Math Day will be included as a portion of their exam grade,” she said.
Middle School forms competition cheerleading squad
September 20, 2007
The Middle School’s first-ever <a href="https://www.darlingtonschool.org/2376252">competition cheerleading squad</a> competed in their first event Saturday, Sept. 22, at 9 a.m. at Model High School. <br /><br />
“Darlington has had the talent to cheer competitively for many years,” said Jenni Butler, head coach. “We are one of the only schools in the Floyd County area that does not have a competitive squad, so varsity head coach Angela Pieroni and I decided to start at the Middle School. All good athletic programs should start young and build. We hope to establish a competitive team at the Upper School in the next couple of years.”<br /><br />
Butler began recruiting and training her squad of competition cheerleaders in May. The girls attended a weekly class at Hot Shots Cheerleading Gym to learn basic skills. In July, the squad went to a three-day, 20-hour camp, also hosted by Hot Shots. There, they worked together as a team on stunting, tumbling and developing a routine. After camp was over, the girls began practicing at the Huffman Center at least once a week for the rest of the summer.<br /><br />
“Our competition routine was choreographed specifically for our squad and skill level by Rachel Magness of Hot Shots,” said Butler. “It includes advanced stunting, tumbling, several jump sequences and a great deal of dance. While there are difficult areas, it is individualized so that each girl may show off her own strengths.”<br /><br />
While learning the routine was definitely hard work, Butler said the girls caught on quickly, kept positive attitudes, and continue to focus on improvement.<br /><br />
The squad is scheduled to compete in four competitions this year. The weekend before their first competition, they attended an event as spectators in order to learn what to expect when they are competing.<br /><br />
“That motivated them, and they are a brand new, refreshed squad now,” said Butler. “They are hitting more stunts and tumbling sequences than ever. Our formations are setting up perfectly, and we are completely focused. The girls are beginning to understand just how much of a team sport this is, and it’s great to see them working together toward one common goal.<br /><br />
“I am so proud of these girls and so thankful for the support we have received from the Darlington community,” Butler continued. “Parents have been phenomenal ... Angela Pieroni, Rachel Harrison and Brenda Bowman have volunteered a lot of time to help get us prepared for our first year. The Athletic Booster Club has generously funded some necessary equipment, and faculty, staff and administrators in general have gone out of their way to make sure this new addition to the athletic department is a success.”<br /><br />
All competitions will take place on Saturday mornings. Future events will take place Sept. 29 at Pepperell High School, Oct. 13 at Rome High and Oct. 27 at Trion High. <a href="http://www.darlingtonschool.org/Athletics/schedule.asp?teamID=35887">Click here</a> for more specifics on these events.
Darlington School announces the following faculty and staff changes and additions for the 2007-08 school year:<br /><br />
<b>Margaret Alexander</b> will teach Middle School Spanish. She holds a Bachelor of Science from George Mason University (Va.) and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instructional Systems Design from the University of Northern Colorado. She also completed additional studies at the University of Virginia and George Washington University. Alexander has experience in school administration, special education K-12, vocational adaptations and human relations. For the past six years, she has served as a tutor and long-term substitute for Spanish at Darlington.<br /><br />
<b>Julie Allen</b> will serve as a teacher’s aide for pre-kindergarten. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Carson-Newman College. Allen has been a member of Darlington’s house duty staff since August of 2006. Most recently, she taught at Rome First School and served as director of childcare for Celebrate Recovery, the recovery program of Rome First United Methodist Church.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Amobi</b> will teach Lower School Spanish. She holds a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Auburn University. Most recently, she coached volleyball, junior varsity basketball, and track and field at Lee Scott Academy in Auburn, where she also taught fitness and P.E. <br /><br />
<b>Rex Bowman</b> has been named assistant director of Darlington School Soccer Academy. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Berry College and is a USSF "B" Soccer Coach License holder. Most recently, Bowman taught science at Donelson Christian Academy, where he also coached soccer and wrestling. He served as assistant men's soccer coach at Berry College, has coached and directed several soccer camps, and continues to work with the Tennessee Olympic Development Program. In 2006, Bowman was named Tennessee Coach of the Year, NSCAA Div. II.<br /><br />
<b>Ivy Brewer</b> will serve as associate dean of college guidance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University. She is currently pursuing a Graduation Certificate in College Counseling from University of California Extension, Los Angeles. Brewer is a member of both the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling. Previously, she served as assistant college counselor and special events coordinator at Seacrest Country Day School in Naples, Fla.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Butler</b> will teach Middle School math. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Shorter College and worked previously as a seventh-grade math teacher at Cedartown Middle School. <br /><br />
<b>Shari Cannon</b> will serve as teacher’s aide for second grade. She holds an associate’s degree from Coosa Valley Technical College and has been employed at Darlington for nine years. Most recently, she was a teacher’s aide for pre-kindergarten. She is also the director of Camp Darlington.<br /><br />
<b>Lenore Cooke</b> will teach Upper School Spanish. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from The University of the South, Sewanee, and has studied abroad in Madrid, Spain.<br /><br />
<b>Bethany Creswell</b> will teach Upper School English. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Davidson College and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Previously, she taught junior and senior English, was a freshman adviser, and served as yearbook adviser at Lakeview Academy in Gainesville, Ga. She also works as a freelance writer and graphic designer.<br /><br />
<b>Robert Hall</b> will serve as a reading specialist in the Learning Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Jacksonville State University, a Master of Science in Education from Berry College, and Reading Endorsement Trainer Certification. He is currently working on a Doctor of Philosophy from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn. Previously, Hall taught at Model High School, Northwest Georgia RESA and Coosa Middle School.<br /><br />
<b>Doug Hamil</b> will serve as director of graphic design. He holds an associates degree in visual communication from the Art Institute of Atlanta, and has over 20 years of professional experience in nearly all aspects of graphic arts including advertising, collateral, logos, publications, Internet and multimedia design. He is also an accomplished illustrator. For the past 10 years, Hamil has owned and operated Doug Hamil Advertising Inc. in Rome.<br /><br />
<b>Kent Harrison (’01)</b> will serve as assistant director of admission. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the State University of West Georgia. Most recently, Harrison was a member of Darlington’s house duty staff and taught math at Rockmart Middle School. He has held coaching positions in Polk County, Heard County and Paulding County and has served as a counselor at Camp Darlington.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Helbing (’98)</b> will teach pre-K. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia and a Master of Education from Georgia State University, where she focused on students with multiple and severe disabilities. Previously, she taught special needs kindergarten at Timber Ridge Elementary School in Marietta, Ga.<br /><br />
<b>Josh Hembree</b> will teach Upper School math and coach girls' varsity basketball. He holds a bachelor’s degree in math and a master’s in secondary education from Berry College, where he played varsity basketball as an undergraduate. He has five years of experience as an assistant coach at Berry College and Model High School, and has been an instructor at numerous basketball camps in Georgia and Alabama. Hembree has taught math at Berry College Middle School and Model High School, and is certified to teach AP courses. He is currently working on an Ed.D. in Leadership from Walden University. <br /><br />
<b>Lauren Hunt</b> will teach Upper School English. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Duke University. At Duke, she served as president of the Project Child Executive Board, learning assistant for Residential Life and Housing Services, and Academic Affairs Committee chairperson for the Black Student Alliance.<br /><br />
<b>Stormy Johnson</b> will serve as director of admission. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University and has served Darlington since 2005 as associate director of admission for boarding. Previously, Johnson served as associate director of admission at Oglethorpe University and assistant director of admission and coordinator of multicultural recruitment at both Agnes Scott College and Vanderbilt University. <br /><br />
<b>Mitchell Maddox</b> will teach Upper School English. He is certified to teach high school English in the state of Georgia and holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. Previously, he taught junior and senior English at Hidden Lake Academy in Dahlonega, Ga. He also works as a freelance writer.<br /><br />
<b>Wendy Payne</b> will serve as library assistant at the Upper School. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Shorter College. Payne has worked at Darlington since September 2001, most recently as a pre-K teacher's assistant.<br /><br />
<b>Andrea Puckett</b> will teach Lower and Middle School French. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of West Georgia and is currently seeking an M.A.T. in French from Middle Tennessee State University. <br /><br />
<b>Keith Raker</b> will serve as director of facilities services. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Most recently, Raker was director of buildings and grounds for Clark County Schools in Winchester, Ky., through Sodexho Marriott's Education Group Services division.<br /><br />
<b>Mary Hight Sawhill (’96)</b> will serve as planned gifts officer. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University and has seven years of experience in fundraising and development. Most recently, Sawhill served as planned gifts associate for the Shepherd Center Foundation in Atlanta. She is a member of the Georgia Planned Giving Council and Washington and Lee University’s Atlanta Alumni Board.<br /><br />
<b>Cindy Stinson</b> will teach fourth grade. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, a teaching certificate from Berry College, and two master’s degrees from the University of West Georgia. Stinson has taught school for a total of 14 years, 12 of which were spent in the Floyd County School System. Most recently, she has served as second-grade aide since July 2005. <br /><br />
<b>Pamela Sullins</b> will serve as Middle School administrative assistant. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and has 14 years of teaching experience in marketing and cooperative education. For the past several years, she has been an active volunteer at St. Mary’s School in Rome.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Talley</b> will serve as kindergarten teacher’s aide. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University, and served most recently as library aide at Darlington’s Upper School. Talley has also worked as a substitute teacher at St. Mary's School in Rome and a pre-K teacher at Rome First School. <br /><br />
<b>Tami Wilcox</b> will teach second. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Shorter College and has taught pre-K at the Lower School since 2004.<br /><br />
<b>Carrie Wilson</b> will teach Middle School Spanish. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Shorter College and is currently seeking her master's from the same institution. Most recently, Wilson was an annuity customer service representative at Legacy Marketing Group. She also served as an ESOL intern at West End Elementary School in 2005.<br /><br />
<b>Jennifer Zickafoose</b> has been named human resources manager. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the State University of West Georgia and has over 14 years of experience in human resources, staffing, employee relations and customer service.<br /><br />
<b>Casey Zimmer</b> will teach Upper School English and serve as director of financial aid. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and a Master of Education from Berry College. Zimmer has held a variety of leadership positions since his arrival at Darlington in 1997, including head of house and director of admission.<br /><br />
Darlington School is currently accepting applications for the following positions: associate librarian, capital gifts officer, executive assistant to the chief advancement officer, and Student Health Center nurse. For information, <a href="/employment">click here</a>. New faculty/staff bios will be posted on the Web site as they are hired.<br /><br />
