Thank you for your kind words and yes, mr. ebbs is a jewel.
Journalism / A Man of Principal (Analysis)
A Man of Principal
Last month, the position of Principal at Marion High School was offered to Sylvan Hills High School’s Principal Danny Ebbs, along with a substantial pay raise, a raise that would also carry over into a significant increase in his retirement check. Word was that Mr. Ebbs had accepted the offer and was Marion bound. One faculty member said, “It was like having the wind knocked out of us. Mr. Ebbs has become more than just a boss to us, he is a friend, a confidant and the rock of support the teachers here all need.”
After a few weeks of hearing similar comments from teachers, students and public officials, Mr. Ebbs was affected enough that at an assembly to honor the baseball teams recent State Championship he announced to the faculty and students that he had come to a decision and that he was staying. The announcement was followed with a huge roar of both appreciation and excitement. It turns out the increased salary was not that big of a factor for Principal Ebbs. “Money isn’t all there is in a decision like this. I really like the people here at Sylvan Hills and in Sherwood and I realized my work here is not done.“ Principal Ebbs said. The morning of our interview Mr. Ebbs called to put the appointment back a few hours so that he could go looking for desks and other equipment for a lab designed to better prepare students for taking the Benchmark Exams, part of that unfinished business he spoke of.
It seems everybody I’ve talked to that knows Mr. Ebbs, from students, to faculty members, even Mayor Hillman and Police Chief Nicholson have expressed great admiration and respect for him.
When Principal Ebbs came to Sylvan Hills in the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year, the school was clearly in desperate trouble. Morale among the faculty was extremely low and it all emanated from a total lack of discipline among the students. Melissa Duncan, a biology teacher at Sylvan Hills offered, “Our district has rules and policies concerning student behavior, but we’ve had no support from prior administrators or from the district. Since Mr. Ebbs has been here, we’ve had an administrator that totally supports the faculty. That has had a tremendous impact on the morale of the teachers, which in effect carries down to the students. Now, if we have a student that becomes disruptive in class, we have full confidence that Mr. Ebbs will back us and will take the appropriate action.”
Danny Ebbs had built quite a reputation for himself before coming to Sylvan Hills. As a high school basketball coach he is the only person to ever lead both boy’s and girl’s teams to state championships in Arkansas. For nine seasons he was head coach in the college ranks at Arkansas Tech and then at Henderson State, before returning to the high school ranks as an administrator, primarily at smaller schools. Before coming to Sylvan Hills he was Newport High School’s Principal.
Two very important fans of Principal Ebbs are Sherwood Mayor Virginia Hillman and Police Chief Kel Nicholson. “We’re very excited that Principal Ebbs made the decision to stay at Sylvan Hills.” Mayor Hillman said. “My daughter is a student there and she said, even students that don’t act right are happy he is staying. She says she gets a good laugh out of Mr. Ebbs when he gets on the intercom and finishes his announcements with, ‘Go Burrs’. “ For you that haven’t met Principal Ebbs, who has a very distinct southern accent that translates to ‘Go Bears’. Chief Nicholson adds that since Principal Ebbs has taken the reigns at Sylvan Hills, he has seen a significant drop in criminal activity at the school and his officers now respond to far fewer calls than in the past. “We’ve also noticed how much more behaved and respectable the students are towards our resource officers assigned to the school.”
For many years, Sylvan Hills, fairly or not, has had a less than enviable reputation in the public eye. From stories of disruptive student behavior to the lack of academic prowess, the school’s image has long suffered. “I want the public to know that we are making every effort to turn past negatives into positives and we welcome parents and others in the community to see what we are doing and to become a part of it.
We are currently working to make improvements in our intervention and remediation programs and it is working. A prime example of that is the recent results of Benchmark Exams where of 208 juniors that took the test for literacy only 6 tested below basic, meaning that over 97% tested above the basic level. We’re proud of that and we’re working hard to make sure we see those kind of results across the board.”
A belief that Principal Ebbs has carried with him for many years is the slogan ‘Teamwork makes the Dreamwork’, and he is reaching out to students, faculty and the Sherwood community to join the team and make Sylvan Hills High School champions in many more endeavors besides baseball. Go Burrs!
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Jacamo reviewed Version 1 -
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Ronny1 reviewed Version 1 -
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This is well written and clear, I feel like I know Principal Ebbs – what a guy!
Just a few niggles
Page 1 Mr. Ebbs was affected enough that he announced to the faculty and students that he had come to a decision and that he was staying. (reads ok withou the whole sentence about the State Championship, which is unnecessary and unwieldy)
Page 1 ‘Not that big of a factor’ should be: ‘not that big a factor’
Page 2 – “ For you that haven’t met Principal Ebbs, who has a very distinct Southern accent – that translates to ‘Go Bears’
Perhaps something simpler like. For those that haven’t met Principal Ebbs with his distinct Southern accent, this translates to ‘Go Bears’
Page 3 – how much BETTER behaved and RESPECTFUL the children are
Page 3 last line, endeavors sounds wrong, perhaps: ‘and help Sylvan Hills High School to top the league in more than just baseball…’
Generally well put together, clear and keeps us reading.
Hope this is helpful.
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Legacy reviewed Version 1 -
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that was really good it makes me want to meet Mr. Ebbs you can see the affect he had on the community. you wrote it so well it was serious but there was a good laugh. you are great at writing about people you showed what a great person he was i actually have nothing bad to comment about but i can’t stop saying this it was a great article
keep writing its obvious your great
SoulSubstance reviewed Version 1 -
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Your article was very concise, re-telling the story very well. We easily get the image of how much support Mr. Ebbs has backing him, especially when you lay out all of his credentials so nicely, which lead the reader up to quotes of present supporters like The Police Chief.
The last few paragraphs seem underdeveloped and under-prepared for the jump into teamwork. It’s a great ending to wrap up the article, but it jumps right from support of Ebbs to the teamwork slogan Ebbs uses. I don’t know if I’m over editing you, but I did feel a big jump – well maybe I shouldn’t say that though because you really do set that idea up when you speak of how the administrator supporting the faculty makes big changes in the school.
Anyway, great article. I hope Sylvan Hills High School makes the grade!
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KristinRDavis reviewed Version 1 -
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I can see this being published as you state in your author’s notes and I enjoyed reading this piece. The wording, verbiage and the flow are perfect! I don’t see any reason to change any of those aspects. However, I did find to small errors, that you probably over looked or have already caught and corrected.
1) First page, second paragraph – “Hills and in Sherwood and I realized my work here is…” there’s one too many spaces between I and realized … my work.
2) Third page, mid-section. Principal Ebbs is being quoted … if you’ll look you clicked on the tab button, or so it appears to me that way. Allow me to show you …
[For many years, Sylvan Hills, fairly or not, has had a less than enviable reputation in the public eye. From stories of disruptive student behavior to the lack of academic prowess, the school’s image has long suffered. “I want the public to know that we are making every effort to turn past negatives into positives and we welcome parents and others in the community to see what we are doing and to become a part of it.
We are currently working to make improvements in our intervention and remediation programs and it is working. A prime example of that is the recent results of Benchmark Exams where of 208 juniors that took the test for literacy only 6 tested below basic, meaning that over 97% tested above the basic level. We’re proud of that and we’re working hard to make sure we see those kind of results across the board.”]
You could polish this up a bit by back spacing and bringing the mid-section together, since it is all under one quote.
One more, if I may, to fancy this up a bit, with each new section if you space the paragraphs one space in between each new paragraph it cleans it up a bit and makes it easier on the eye.
Overall, I found this to be a publishable piece and felt you represented Sylvan Hills and Principal Ebbs very nicely. Good job and I look forward to reading more of your work.
Kristin
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