Assistant Principal at Ashley Elementary Writes Book that Helps Students Prepare for Tests

Alicia Bailey reads her new book to students

In the Friday, Oct. 18 issue of the Winston-Salem Journal, reporter Arika Herron writes about a new book by the assistant principal at Ashley. Here is an excerpt:

Alicia Bailey, the assistant principal at Ashley Elementary School, wanted to make sure her students were prepared test time came.

Important end-of-quarter tests start next week. And Bailey, the 2012-2013 N.C. Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year knows, has seen plenty of students in her own school and across the district who get nervous on test day. Among them is A’najah Williamson, an Ashley third-grader.

"I get nervous every time,” A’najah said.

In an increasingly data-driven world, students are tested often, Bailey said. But all that testing doesn’t necessarily translate into kids who are more comfortable taking tests, she said. Bailey spent seven years in the classroom before moving into administration. She knows firsthand how apprehensive some students can be on test day.

"Sometimes kids get nervous when they have to take a test,” Bailey said. “I wanted to help them overcome their fears.”

So instead of turning to practice tests or pep talks, Bailey returned to an idea she developed when she was still a classroom teacher – a story based on a character named Runru Kangaroo.

Like so many of her students, Runru the kangaroo is a nervous test-taker.

"It’s about a kangaroo that goes on an adventure,” Bailey said of the story, which she recently self-published as an illustrated children’s book.

"Runru Kangaroo and the Adventures of Test-Taking” follows Runru on the biggest day of the school year – test day. While Runru’s friends are excited and confident, Runru isn’t so sure.

"Everyone will do a good job, expect for me,” thinks Runru at the start of the story.

For the complete story, go to Winston-Salem Journal