As I walked into the building through the gym on a hot Wednesday afternoon on August 11th, Mrs.

Carol Mizelle, a NELA Fellow, greeted me. Ms. Mizelle used to work at Bertie Middle School as a 7th grade science teacher. The moment I entered the main lobby, I immediately noticed big colorful posters. They were about building characters and words of encouragement written by famous people and selected high school students of the district who were called Tru-Stars. I also saw a big picture of the first president of the country. The schools mission and vision statements are in every hallway. As soon as I got settled in the office that Ms. Mizelle and I would share during the whole internship, she toured me around the school. She introduced me to Ms. Russell (Secretary), Mr. Windham (SIMS), Mr. Reginald Moore, Mr. Calvin Moore (Asst. Principal), Ms. Smallwood (Cafeteria), Mr. Jernigan (Custodian), Ms. Peele (Custodian), and Ms. Pascoe (Technology Instructor). Then, we went through the 6th -8th grade halls and classrooms. I met some 7th grade teachers - Mr. Ruffin and Mrs. Snow, and an 8th grade teacher- Ms. Small. The school was very clean. In fact, when I was coming in for the first time, Mr. Jernigan was cleaning the main entrance. This explained why we had to enter through the gym. Classrooms were being prepared by the teachers for the opening of the school year. Every classroom had the picture of the first president and current president of the country. Ms. Mizelle explained that the district mandated it. One very interesting feature that I saw in every classroom was the teachers corner. It includes the teachers diploma/certificate, achievements, family pictures, transcript of records, etc. After the tour, Ms. Mizelle and I started writing our personal vision statement and letter of introduction. Mrs. Sandra Hardy, the school principal, sat down with us and guided us how to create the vision statement. Later on, she explained how the school vision came to be Out of the Ashes Rises a Proud Phoenix. Bold Enough to Believe and Strong Enough to Achieve. She said that the closing of the districts two middle schools (out of the ashes), was caused by the opening of the new middle school (rises the proud phoenix). The rest of the afternoon was spent writing our drafts. I went home around 5:00 p.m. The school was very welcoming. As early as now, I know I have no regrets for choosing this school for my administrative internship. Mrs. Hardy has shown me new great things. I know I am learning, and that there is more to learn from her and from the school in general.