Austin-East administrator 'will change the world' by being student-centered

Hi Knoxville,

Thank you for being a Knoxville Parenting reader.

Austin-East Magnet High Assistant Administrator Melody Hawkins won an award for supporting her students socially and emotionally. She has been using social emotional learning before she even knew the formal term for it! The lab-scientist-turned-teacher-turned-administrator told Knox News that the award is a "timely blessing."

"We all see the exhaustion that not only our educators have felt, but also where our students are, they're tired and they're trying to figure out how to get back in the swing of school and back to the responsibilities and the structure of school," Hawkins said.

"So social emotional learning really is, it can be, and it is a key component to making sure that our students can have access to equitable experiences as they readjust to getting back into the classroom and the structure of school."

That point about people still coping with a pandemic, which makes school harder, was highlighted last week when community members sounded off on what they wanted in a new superintendent. Two themes that emerged? Enhancing equity and improving employee morale.

Knox News will continue to follow the process of finding a new superintendent.

Do you have a question about anything children's issues related? Email me anytime at isabel.lohman@knoxnews.com.

See you at the (chilly) sandbox,

Isabel Lohman

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Austin-East administrator 'will change the world' by being student-centered