At Shady Grove Middle School, the proof of excellence is in the progress. "Through her vision and dedication, Mrs. Dempsey has undeniably made Shady Grove a model middle school," Superintendent Jerry D. Weast said in presenting the Mark Mann award to Dempsey Sept. 19. "The school's ongoing academic success over the past five years is exemplified by significant annual increases in student achievement across all subgroups in math and reading MSA scores."
The scores are impressive. Performance results for Adequate Yearly Progress showed an overall 24 percent increase in math scores (from 49 to 73 percent), including a jump of more than 21 percent (from 28 to 49 percent) for African American and almost 43 percent (from 21 to 64 percent) for Hispanic students. Similar progress was made for students in reading.
Behind the scores is Dempsey's passion for doing what's best for her students. Her goal is to have better learners, more engaged students and better results. She instills in students and staff the belief that all students can learn and be successful.
Her influence at Shady Grove is evident in some of her many accomplishments: a special education full inclusion program to ensure all students have access to the curriculum; 72 percent of students enrolled in algebra this year; grade-level data meetings with students to share scores; and a schedule that includes professional development and recognition, common planning time, and intervention programs in reading, writing and algebra. Th rough building a shared vision, Dempsey has successfully transformed Shady Grove into a professional learning community.