Drayton steps into role of Assistant Principal

NEWBERRY — When Megan Drayton chose to accept the position of Assistant Principal at Newberry Middle School, she knew she was walking into a school where the betterment of students and teachers came before anything.

And Drayton has experienced both sides, having started her career as a 5th grade teacher in Lexington School District 5. She’s spent 10 years working with the district Summer Reading Camp, helping the most fragile of readers and making sure they’re building habits to be people who enjoy literature and learn that they are capable of doing hard things. She was also a professional development facilitator for a number of years, helping grow and develop teachers so students will also grow collectively – being able to think, problem solve together and put theory into practice.

“Some of my favorite work has come from presenting at the Inquiry Matters Conference. I’ve been able to operate as an opening and closing speaker to inspire and make sure we’re working to serve kids and looking at best practices in the classroom. All of that has led me here and I love it. I love my job and being able to get into the classrooms and work alongside teachers, being able to make decisions together about how to grow kids and how to grow ourselves,” Drayton said.

Prior to coming to Newberry, while still in Lexington District 5, Drayton had the opportunity to interact with Newberry people who decided to come back after working in District 5.

“What is happening over in Newberry that would drive people to go back and I realized that this is a community and I believe in being in a place where it can be home for you so just in conversations I realized that this is the place I wanted to make home. Being with people who are really invested in the well-being of everybody and kids, families, teachers, etc. – it reinforces the purpose of the work and so that’s really important,” she said.

The interview process was unlike other interviews – it was very instructional-based so Drayton sifted through tons of data. which she said allowed staff to see the way she thinks and processes things, and how she prioritizes the students well-being, growth and achievement.

“I prioritize trying to make connections with everybody – every day, in some type of way. That’s from our front office staff, kids, teachers, families that come in. The most important part to me is getting in classrooms and being able to provide support so I’ve been able to model lessons for teachers and teach alongside them – that’s my absolute favorite. We engage in professional development sessions together where we make decisions together as a faculty. I get to sit alongside kids when they’re doing work or when they want to talk about things or ask questions – another favorite of mine. When they see me and know I’m here to support them, but also that I want them to know that I want more from them,” Drayton said. “The joy and pride here is what makes us strive for excellence. Our kids are worth it.”