Tribute to Mrs. Donna Hulsey

ALIMACANI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Retirement Tribute

Mrs. Donna Hulsey

Alimacani

Where Education Is A Treasure And Children

Are Inspired To Reach For Their Dreams

Because of Donna HulseyBecause of Donna Hulseyby Mrs. Janice McClure, former by Mrs. Janice McClure, former

Alimacani Elementary School TeacherAlimacani Elementary School Teacher

Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…I became a better teacher-a teacher open to new learning and I became a better teacher-a teacher open to new learning and opportunities, encouraged by Donna’s drive to continually grow and opportunities, encouraged by Donna’s drive to continually grow and improve…to continually aim for excellence.improve…to continually aim for excellence.

Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…I learned that you can’t grow or get better, you can’t maintain I learned that you can’t grow or get better, you can’t maintain excellence by always doing things the same way. I learned that excellence by always doing things the same way. I learned that change and challenge…grappling and growing…consistently change and challenge…grappling and growing…consistently seeking refinement is not easy or painless…but that real seeking refinement is not easy or painless…but that real achievement is worth the effort.achievement is worth the effort.

Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…I learned to always have a few possible solutions to suggest if I ever I learned to always have a few possible solutions to suggest if I ever felt the need to complain about a situation-and to be prepared to felt the need to complain about a situation-and to be prepared to head up a committee to create a plan!head up a committee to create a plan!

Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…I learned that if I have a problem with another person, I should be I learned that if I have a problem with another person, I should be prepared to discuss my issue face-to-face with that person and that prepared to discuss my issue face-to-face with that person and that open, honest communication is the only way to resolve issues.open, honest communication is the only way to resolve issues.

Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…I learned that the best way to learn is through sharing I learned that the best way to learn is through sharing and collaborating-self reflection, self-assessment, and and collaborating-self reflection, self-assessment, and discussion of new possibilities…that TEAMwork discussion of new possibilities…that TEAMwork accelerates everything!accelerates everything!

Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…I learned the power of feedback…that feedback is a I learned the power of feedback…that feedback is a gift…that validation is worth (at least) a thousand gift…that validation is worth (at least) a thousand bucks and that caring, specific feedback is the true gift bucks and that caring, specific feedback is the true gift that allows us to refine our practices. I learned that it's that allows us to refine our practices. I learned that it's not so much “what” the feedback is , but, rather, not so much “what” the feedback is , but, rather, “how” it is presented that will impact whether or not it “how” it is presented that will impact whether or not it is accepted, reflected upon and implemented.is accepted, reflected upon and implemented.

Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…I learned the true meaning of “lovingly giving”, as I I learned the true meaning of “lovingly giving”, as I watched Donna model the ultimate gift of love to her watched Donna model the ultimate gift of love to her sister.sister.



Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…I learned to be a more patriotic cicatrize, immersed by I learned to be a more patriotic cicatrize, immersed by Donna into intensive, sacred, intentional demonstrations Donna into intensive, sacred, intentional demonstrations of love and appreciation for our great nation and for those of love and appreciation for our great nation and for those whop have intentional demonstrations of love and whop have intentional demonstrations of love and appreciation for our great nation and for those whop have appreciation for our great nation and for those whop have made sacrifices throughout history so that we can enjoy made sacrifices throughout history so that we can enjoy freedom. I learned the importance of education in freedom. I learned the importance of education in preserving that freedom…the obligation of education to p preserving that freedom…the obligation of education to p of preserving that freedom.of preserving that freedom.

Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…This school, Alimacani, was born with a strong foundation This school, Alimacani, was born with a strong foundation of excellence that has sustained throughout its history.of excellence that has sustained throughout its history.

Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…This school district, Duval, has experienced the influence This school district, Duval, has experienced the influence of thoughtfulness, reason and passion for children.of thoughtfulness, reason and passion for children.



Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…The educational community has gained multiple master teachers, The educational community has gained multiple master teachers, top quality principals, exemplary district leaders and many, many top quality principals, exemplary district leaders and many, many contributors to educational excellence.contributors to educational excellence.

It has been said that the measure of excellent leadership is not how It has been said that the measure of excellent leadership is not how many followers one has, but how many leaders one develops. How many followers one has, but how many leaders one develops. How fortunate we are that our paths have crossed with Donna Hulsey…fortunate we are that our paths have crossed with Donna Hulsey…that our lives have been touched and influenced by Donna Hulsey…that our lives have been touched and influenced by Donna Hulsey…that we now bear the obligation to lovingly continue what she has that we now bear the obligation to lovingly continue what she has begun…influencing others with the importance of education, the begun…influencing others with the importance of education, the passion to expand opportunities to all students, a dedication to passion to expand opportunities to all students, a dedication to country, and a love for human-kind…country, and a love for human-kind…

• Because of Donna Hulsey…Because of Donna Hulsey…Lovingly dedicated to Donna HulseyLovingly dedicated to Donna HulseyMay 9, 2008May 9, 2008Mrs. Janice McClureMrs. Janice McClure



What more can I say?What more can I say?We are gathered here with loads of loveWe are gathered here with loads of loveTo honor To honor youyou today. today.

Build it and they will comeBuild it and they will comeWell they came from near and farWell they came from near and farAll flocking to Alimacani,All flocking to Alimacani,The school that became a 5 star.The school that became a 5 star.

Where education is a treasureWhere education is a treasureAnd Children are inspired to reach for their dreamsAnd Children are inspired to reach for their dreamsWhere administration, students, parents, and teachersWhere administration, students, parents, and teachersMake the best of teamsMake the best of teams

And they came and they cameAnd they came and they cameFrom every cranny and every nookFrom every cranny and every nookOur reputation grew and grewOur reputation grew and grewWere even featured in Were even featured in REDBOOK.REDBOOK.

Donna HulseyDonna Hulsey by Mrs. Jill Grens, former Alimacani by Mrs. Jill Grens, former Alimacani

Elementary School TeacherElementary School Teacher

And they never stopped coming-rooms we began to lackAnd they never stopped coming-rooms we began to lackOh, but never fear---Alimacani was hereOh, but never fear---Alimacani was hereThat’s when we began multi-track!That’s when we began multi-track!

Orange, yellow, purple, green, and blueOrange, yellow, purple, green, and blue2 weeks on,2 weeks on,Some track was offSome track was offWeWe were confused, but oh no, not you! were confused, but oh no, not you!

You were our fearless leader-The Chief on her throneYou were our fearless leader-The Chief on her throneYou could get the faculty to do what ever you wantedYou could get the faculty to do what ever you wantedWithout a grumble or a moan.Without a grumble or a moan.

In fact, you had such a way of askingIn fact, you had such a way of askingAnd you did it with all your heartAnd you did it with all your heartThat even if we That even if we wantedwanted to say No to say NoWe were flattered and asked-”We were flattered and asked-”When do we start?”When do we start?”



You always took the time to thank usYou always took the time to thank usWith a handwritten work of artWith a handwritten work of artWords that flowed on the pageWords that flowed on the pageThat touched every heart.That touched every heart.

Traditions, Rituals, and RoutinesTraditions, Rituals, and RoutinesYOU established them allYOU established them all Such as displaying our patriotism at Such as displaying our patriotism at these these FALG RAISINGSFALG RAISINGSOh yes, that was your call.Oh yes, that was your call.

We were always busy,We were always busy,Touching hearts and teaching minds,Touching hearts and teaching minds,But we always seemed to make room for funBut we always seemed to make room for funYou knew it was healthy to unwind.You knew it was healthy to unwind.

Remember the faculty talent show?Remember the faculty talent show?Line dancing up on the stageLine dancing up on the stageOr when you rode up on the HarleyOr when you rode up on the HarleyOh that filled up another pageOh that filled up another page



Change is important in order to grow Change is important in order to grow And we knew you would be moving on,And we knew you would be moving on,Onward and upward you wentOnward and upward you wentBut you were never really gone.But you were never really gone.

You left behind heart and soulYou left behind heart and soulIt’s infused in these wallsIt’s infused in these wallsYou can feel it every where you goYou can feel it every where you goUp and down the hallsUp and down the halls



So now, as you graduate from the systemSo now, as you graduate from the systemBe sure to pamper yourself-enjoy a good back rubBe sure to pamper yourself-enjoy a good back rubBut Donna, leave your phone onBut Donna, leave your phone onWe can always use a sub!We can always use a sub!

We love you, we will miss you, but this is We love you, we will miss you, but this is not not goodbye.goodbye.

Because Donna,Because Donna,You will always You will always be…be…

Alimacani!Alimacani!

Love Always,Love Always,Jill GrensJill Grens



Tribute to Mrs. Donna Hulsey

Education

Transcript of Tribute to Mrs. Donna Hulsey