First Steps- Vision Parades

Although track 4 has just begun, we are already looking for ways to make our school better. The school improvement planning process is an effective way for us to begin identifying strengths and needs. As a new school, our school improvement plan (SIP) is a blank slate. Members of the school community will be working throughout the year in committees to develop goals, key processes, and action steps for improving instructional programs, school culture, and community involvement. One of the first steps in this process is to establish a shared mission, vision, and values.

An important part of developing these cornerstones involves the individual classes of Banks Road Elementary. Teachers and students have been talking about their class vision. These class visions range from, "Doing my best everyday" to "Being successful and helping others", even "Kindness counts." On August 13, the classes from tracks 1 and 2 will share their vision statements with each other during a Vision Parade that will be held on the track behind the school. Classes on tracks 3 and 4 will do the same on August 27. We will also be recording the individual class vision statements and sharing them with our school community and SIP committees. The class vision statements will serve as a foundation for crafting the school mission and vision statements. Identifying mission and vision is an extremely valuable process. It helps our students, teachers, and parents understand what is most important to all of us at Banks Road Elementary. Once the mission and vision are established, we can set purposeful goals for improving our school.

The Vision Parades will certainly be an exciting opportunity for students, staff and teachers! This celebration will be symbolic of the first steps we are taking to ensure that Banks Road will always be an outstanding school. I think it is awesome that these first steps will be taken (literally and figuratively) by our students! What a great way to kick off our inaugural school year and begin the very important work of continuous improvement. I hope you can join us at 9:30 on August 13 and August 27 to be a part of our Vision Parades.

Podcast - Opening Banks Road Elementary

Listen as Bill Posten interviews Dr. Creech about opening Banks Road Elementary.
Listen to this podcast

Meet the Principal

My name is Frank Creech. I received my undergraduate degrees from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) where I majored in history and social studies and earned licensure in secondary education. After college, I worked at my father’s business managing his foundry and sculpture studio. I assisted with casting and finishing bronze sculptures for universities, businesses, and private collectors. I also managed the studio’s daily operations and sales. A couple of years later, I began my teaching career as a high school social studies teacher and varsity boys and girls soccer coach at Clayton High. Two highlights for me were being nominated to Who’s Who of American High School Teachers by my students and being selected as conference coach of the year during my second year of coaching. Although a lifelong Duke Blue Devil fan, I attended UNC Chapel Hill as a member of the NC Principal Fellows Program. The family joke was that my time at UNC was mission work.

Upon completion of my school administrator’s degree, I worked at Timber Drive Elementary as an assistant principal from 1999 to 2003. While at Timber Drive, I consulted with the Department of Public Instruction in the area of media and technology instruction. I served as a facilitator for schools that were awarded multi-year grants in excess of one million dollars to fund the implementation of IMPACT (a collaborative teaching model that integrates media and technology into classroom instruction). I worked with a leadership team from one of the schools to develop their grant implementation plan. The plans included resources, staffing, professional development, accountability measures and short and long term goals. I also presented on media and technology integration at state conferences for school media coordinators, administrators, and teachers.

In 2003, I became principal of Fuquay-Varina Elementary. The staff and school community did a wonderful job helping me grow as a school leader. While at FVES, I completed my doctorate in education leadership at UNC Chapel Hill. I currently serve as an elementary school director for the Wake County Division of Principals and Assistant Principals. I am also a member of ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development). Although I love my work, my family is the joy of my life. My wife is an occupational therapist in a neighboring school system. I have two daughters ages eight and four and a labradoodle named Jet. I enjoy playing soccer, softball, and basketball in the backyard with my family, riding bikes and reading. I spend spare time on carpentry and remodeling projects. Of course, there is always yard work.

On February 9, 2009, I became principal of Banks Road Elementary. I am very excited about this great opportunity to work with you to make Banks Road Elementary an excellent school! I look forward to meeting you soon and beginning a wonderful journey together.