Parents and Community,

I am excited to introduce myself as your new McLoud Junior High Principal. I count it a blessing to be joining the amazing McLoud team and spending time with your student(s) all as we mold, shape and teach the middle school mind. I am an Oklahoma hometown girl that has a Tennessee accent. Unique I know. My Tennessee born Dad was stationed at Ft. Sill after the Vietnam War when he met my mother. We lived there until I was four and I still visit my Dad there as often as I can to listen to great music on Beale Street and eat as many Tennessee tomatoes that I can handle. After leaving Tennessee, believe it or not, I lived right here in McLoud, OK. My family later moved to Meeker where I stayed until high school.

I have been married to my sweetheart ,Jon, for 26 years. We have two boys, Parker and Payton, that are my heart and are as opposite as night and day. Parker has been my football-loving, rough riding son that dreads mornings and school and Payton is my organized, robotic academian that does his homework weeks early. The differences of my boys have strengthened my pedagogy as a parent and teacher. I equally love spending time on the sidelines and at student council meetings to support their desires.

I graduated from East Central University a few times. I taught 25 years in Shawnee at the same school that I student taught in because I truly fell in love with teaching and reaching the At Risk student. I spent many years of developing reading curriculum, building a science program and bringing the community into our building and my classroom. I have actually taught second generations of families and find great joy in that. I am also a proud Nationally Board Certified teacher. I moved to the library after 19 years and helped drive the curriculum and data for instructional effectiveness in our building. I was in charge of the building’s technology needs and instruction and I also wrote, directed and evaluated our afterschool STEM program. Last year, I left my safe place and ventured out to the STEM Coordinator’s position at Gordon Cooper Technology Center. I traveled to 72 different sites and conducted professional development, organized and coordinated STEM events for middle school and high school students, and lead the regional STEM Alliance by working with business and industry in an effort to support schools and increase student pathways, workforce education and career accessibility. I truly believe that the experience I have had at GCTC, and my boys’ experience there will help me even more to guide students in life goals.

I look forward to learn about each of you and your families, because I am about relationships and investing in people. I will be available for anyone that would like to make an appointment to visit me at school or if you have concerns, questions or success stories to share.

A new beginning brings opportunity - an opportunity to be better than we were the year before. Continual progress and school advancement is a comprehensive goal our educators strive to meet.My email is mgreenwood@mccloudschools.us. Feel free to contact me there. Looking forward to working together to help your child and school be the best it can be!

We understand that what we do at school is what constitutes the academic success of our children, and we are committed to creating a culture of high expectations and excellence. We will work collaboratively as a staff at McLoud Junior High to provide an academic program where all students can reach their highest potential, and continue to concentrate on the processes that spur academic advancement. We strive to ensure high levels of learning for all students and do whatever it takes to help support, monitor and challenge.

On behalf of the faculty and staff, I want to thank you for the privilege of serving your children. It is not only an honor, but our passion, as well. Our mission statement sums up our core beliefs and vision for the future. "Whatever it Takes".

Melanne Greenwood
McLoud Junior High School Principal