Hanging in the main entrance hallway at Inskip Elementary are banners, in Latin, indicating the qualities of a lion:
- Fidelis-loyalty (yellow)
- Viribus-strength (red)
- Fortem-bravery (blue)
- Superbia-pride (orange)
- Patientia-patience (green)
For years, students and staff at Inskip have been sorted into one of these five houses and remain in the same one the entirety of their tenure at the school. The program preceded the arrival of new principal, Megan Blevins Ph.D., who served as assistant principal at the school for four years until the current term. Though the program is not her creation, she was a buy-in from the get go.
“We have five houses, one family,” she said. “We use the houses to support the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) system of earning positive behavior incentives. Students can earn house points for following our ROAR expectations.”
The ROAR expectations are:
- R = Respect
- O = Own it
- A = Act Safely
- R = Ready to Learn
Blevins said the transition from assistant to principal has been fairly smooth because of the years she has already spent at there.
“My focus has shifted from the more procedural things and those structures we’ve put into place to a bigger focus toward data,” she said. “Where I was previously more involved in the detail-oriented stuff, it’s now shifted to more of the big picture. That’s been the biggest part of the transition for me.”
Inskip Principal Megan Blevins in her happy office.
Originally from northwest Arkansas and a graduate of that state’s flagship university, Blevins has been with Knox County Schools for 16 years where she has spent her entire career in education. She has taught first and second grades, been a coach and district lead teacher supporting 26 elementary schools. Her career has included teaching English as a Second Language and stints at Carter, Ritta and Brickey-McCloud elementary schools. She’s covered a lot of ground.
Blevins has a particular affinity for lady bugs, and it’s reflected in her office décor. It’s no coincidence that the petite beetle’s color is the same as her alma mater (though she did get her doctorate at UT). Red is definitely her signature color, so naturally she is a member of viribus house.
With the school year settled in, Blevins is turning attention to the annual KCS coupon book campaign – “it’s always our biggest fundraiser, every year” – and other projects to wrap up the first semester. Last year she helped lead a successful campaign to raise funds for new curtains and other equipment for the gym/auditorium, items that are not included in the school’s budget.
The new stage curtains at Inskip Elementary.
This year she hopes to have each house decorate a tree for the holidays, and, as the school does every year, will once again have an angel tree for Inskip students in need for Christmas.
“These are 100% for kids at our school, and we couldn’t do it without support from the community,” Blevins said, noting the continued contributions from all the entities that make up The Friends of Inskip Elementary. “Last year the number of students on the angel tree was around 50% of the school population. You don’t know how you’re going to pull it off, but the community comes through.”
Beth Kinnane is the community news editor for KnoxTNToday.com.