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New CHC principal excited for school year
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Travis Lavery is the new principal at CH Campbell Elementary and began welcoming students back to school on Tuesday.
By ABBY SLANKER
The first day of school provided a new and exciting experience for Travis Lavery.
The new principal at C.H. Campbell Elementary School welcomed students Tuesday, as the 2011-12 school year began. Prior to accepting the position at C.H. Campbell Elementary School, Lavery taught in Pennsylvania.
“I spent the majority of my prior experience teaching sixth-grade social studies at Fairview School District in Fairview, Pa. While teaching at Fairview, I was also involved in a vast number of positive experiences and committees within the school district. I developed and implemented a curriculum for the entire building which focused on stopping bullying behavior throughout the school,” Lavery said.
Lavery graduated from Northwestern High School in Albion, Pa., before attending Edinboro University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate degree in education. He completed all of his graduate and post-graduate work at Gannon University in Erie, Pa.
With aspirations of becoming an elementary school principal, and after learning about the reputation of excellence Canfield schools holds, Lavery pursued the opening at C.H. Campbell.
“When my wife graduated with her second master’s degree, she found employment through the Mahoning County Educational Service Center as a school psychologist. Since her move into the Canfield area, I have been visiting Canfield every week for about two years.
“In that time, I have come to learn about the tradition of excellence that Canfield Local Schools are known for. My goal was to become a principal of an elementary school so when the opportunity at C.H. Campbell arose, I had to apply for the position,” Lavery said.
Lavery has several short-term and long-term goals for C.H. Campbell Elementary School students and staff.
“My short-term and long-term goals for C.H. Campbell involve implementing a positive behavior program that will focus on teaching students skills in recognizing and managing emotions, establishing positive relationships, making responsible decisions and handling conflict.
“In addition, I want to continue the training that has already begun to help teachers obtain, organize and utilize student data on achievement and growth to make data-driven decisions with regards to the curriculum. I also plan on collaborating with the teachers to help adjust their curriculums, where necessary, in order to ensure the curriculum is in proper alignment to the new core standards which have been implemented by the Ohio Department of Education.
“Most importantly, I not only intend on maintaining the tradition of excellence that Canfield is known for, but also challenging and encouraging the students and staff to become lifelong learners and to continue to reach for higher goals within the classroom setting,” Lavery said.
“I am extremely excited and blessed to become a part of the Canfield community. I look forward to working positively with students, parents, teachers and community members to help establish a warm, caring atmosphere that emphasizes the high educational standards that Canfield has in place,” Lavery said.