Principal's Welcome Message

August, 2023

Welcome, students, families, and visitors,

It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as the new principal of Southeast Middle School. I am truly honored to have this opportunity to lead our amazing students, dedicated staff, and supportive parents and community. I arrived at Southeast as a seasoned middle school teacher of twenty-six years and have served in numerous leadership positions at the district, county, and university levels. I have been happily married for thirty-three years and have three adult children and three grandchildren. Being a principal provides me the chance to work collaboratively with teachers, while staying connected to every student, every day. I firmly believe that every child can succeed, and my passion is to educate all students to their fullest potential and work to ensure their engagement, growth, and success while being equally responsive to their social and emotional wellbeing. I am committed and will work hard to continue the legacy of success established at Southeast Schools by building strong relationships with parents, students, staff, and community partners, while still honoring the district’s strong traditions.

Please allow our team to extend an enthusiastic welcome to all of you as we begin the 2023-24 school year! Middle school is a time students will reach critical milestones and learn lifelong habits that will set them on a path for success. We, as a staff, are committed to making the student experience a positive one and are devoted to developing every student emotionally, socially and academically. We firmly believe that each student is unique, with their own interests and talents waiting to be discovered. Our mission is to guide and empower them to realize their fullest potential; every pirate, every day.

Southeast Middle School takes great pride in offering a diverse range of curricular and extracurricular activities, tailored to suit each child's strengths, needs, and interests. Our core program includes Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, while our dynamic Fine Arts electives play an active role in allowing students to choose classes that match their interests and expand their experiences. We also encourage students to explore our array of athletic activities and clubs outside of regular school hours, providing ample opportunities for self-discovery and skill development.

To our middle school students, we cannot wait to meet you all! We hope you are excited for this coming school year and that you are out this summer playing and enjoying time with your family and friends. It is going to be an amazing year of learning together.

In closing, please know that my door is always open. I heartily welcome your conversation and positive input throughout this year. Let us always keep our students as the primary focus of our work. I look forward to fostering our partnership and celebrating our collective successes during the 2023-2024 school year.

Enjoy the remaining days of summer! The entire staff is looking forward to a wonderful year!

Sincerely,

Maria Wackerly, Principal

Southeast Middle School

Southeast Middle School

Principals Welcome Message

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