TULLAHOMA HAS many remarkable teachers and administrators. Robert E. Lee Elementary helps make that statement true. Principal Mary Gilbert has worked in the school system for 41 years as a music teacher, counselor, classroom teacher, and administrator. Her work has helped the elementary school and its students thrive.
Robert E. Lee Elementary was honored as one of Tullahoma’s Finest Elementary Schools, one of America’s Healthiest Schools, and a Purple Star School. Gilbert said the success is because of the staff, students, district, families, and the community.
“It takes a collective effort from the community, CEO business partners with the chamber of commerce, community reading buddies, parents, and educators to provide the best possible education to our students. With the support of our community, we can continue to challenge our students today and help them realize their full potential for a limitless tomorrow.”
It would not have been possible without Gilbert’s experience and hard work. Gilbert discovered a passion for teaching while studying pre-law and graduated with a bachelor’s in music education. She earned her master’s in curriculum and instruction and an education specialist degree in administration and supervision. She also became a certified school counselor.
In the decades since, she has worked in Knox County, the city of Manchester, and all four of Tullahoma’s elementary schools.
“As I have faced both successes and challenges throughout my career, I have learned to trust in God’s plan and to use every experience as an opportunity for growth,” Gilbert said.
In her quest to grow as an educator, she has been a part of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, the TAP System for Teacher and Student Advancement, and the Tennessee Teacher Leader Network.
“You never, ever stop learning,” Gilbert said. “You can always learn something, grow, improve, and look at ways to work smarter, not harder, and look at ways to give our children the very best.”
Gilbert has spread her message across Tennessee through state and national conferences. In addition to learning, she has presented and trained at the Innovative Schools Summit, the Music City Social Emotional Learning Conference, the TN School Counselor and Administrator Leadership Institute, the TN Coordinated School Health Conference, the TN School Counselors Conference, the Trauma Informed Educators Network, the Power of Engagement Summit, and Future Ready Schools webinars.
Her focus has been on social-emotional learning.
“That’s probably the most impactful, is really sharing what we’re doing at our school. Talking about our everyday practices and how they unfold throughout each day, and what it looks like at the various grade levels, K-5.”
Robert E. Lee Elementary has implemented “Harmony Meet Up and Buddy Up.” Students meet at the beginning of the school day to share and connect with others before splitting into pairs for collaboration time with their buddy. Robert E. Lee Elementary fifth graders are also given extra responsibilities as mentors. Fifth graders greet their kindergarten buddies in the morning, walk with them, read with them, and participate in various educational activities.
The result, Gilbert said, is that students are eager to be at school, wary of being late, and motivated to get assignments completed early. Educators across different grade levels have reported improvement in their students’ attitudes and sense of belonging. Fifth graders have seen fewer peer conflicts, tardies, and absences.
“Now there’s this ‘buddy up’ system in place, there’s the accountability. We’re seeing a lot of positives with improved academics as we are providing opportunities to better meet the social-emotional needs of each child.”
The teachers and administrators at Robert E. Lee Elementary work hard to create a positive, welcoming, and safe learning environment. As a principal, Gilbert said she recognizes the educator’s critical role in a child’s life. She is committed to supporting her teachers and staff through each day’s unique challenges and collaborating effectively with the students, their families, and school staff.
“We have a lot of rockstar teachers that are amazing, and our children need us now more than ever. They look up to us to set an example, provide support so they can turn their dreams into realities, believe in their potential to succeed, advocate for them, have high expectations which they can strive to achieve, and instill a growth mindset.”
Although she has been working for 41 years, Gilbert said she loves her job and believes in the work ahead of her. When she decides to retire, she wants to leave a legacy as someone who treated her students like they were her own.
“[I] want to be remembered as someone who really cared, someone who inspired, someone who is passionate but willing to do whatever it took to really look beyond and move our students forward. I hope I can be remembered as a shining light that positively inspired others and ignited the fire in others to keep it going because education is important work. Our children need us; they are the future, and we’re very blessed to be able to serve them and be called educators.” GN
