DeSoto Central students learn value of teamwork

Amizade, Sonadore, Isazi and Vangard — these team names might not mean much to the public but to the students, faculty and staff at DeSoto Central Elementary they are a sign of camaraderie, positivity and pride. Every student at the school belongs to one of these four teams regardless of grade level, and through their teams, they compete for points by demonstrating good character.

Faculty and staff members belong to teams, too. The program was developed and implemented last school year by DCES principal Lisa Nye and about a dozen faculty members. The idea was to help students relate to and be able to work with one another regardless of any differences they may have. Points are earned by demonstrating what DCES calls the “Essential 5” — saying “yes ma’am” and “no sir;” making eye contact when someone is speaking; respecting other students’ comments, opinions and ideas; surprising others by performing random acts of kindness; and always being honest.

“We are teaching life skills,” Nye said. “Our students need to be prepared to interview for jobs someday and learn to shake hands, how to listen to others’ opinions, be polite and say please and thank you. They may not always agree with the opinions of others, but you have to learn how to work as part of a team.”

Students and teachers also earn points for their team by having good attendance. Students making all As or all As and Bs also earn points for their teams.

DCES is a third through fifth grade school, and before this program, there were not a lot of interactions between the grade levels.

“In middle school and high school, you have things like band and chorus, other groups and sports teams that teach students how to work together,” Nye said. “Everyone needs these skills, and we want every student to have the chance to be part of a team and learn them.”

While this year’s fourth and fifth grade students were already assigned teams last year, a grand celebration was held at the beginning of this school year where third grade students spun a wheel to determine which team they would join. The third graders rode in a limousine, donated by Walls Limousine Service, from the side of the school to the front of the school, where they walked down a red carpet to the cheers of the older students waiting to find out which new students would be joining their team.

The program was launched last school year with a basic outline of the teams with name and color. This year the teams have mottos, songs, chants, crests and more.

“It was really fun to watch the kids the first year just run with it. They were coloring signs and symbols and coming up with cheers,” Nye said. “The teams have so many signs and colors and so much pride now it just brings tears to your eyes.”

Team Amizade (blue) means friend. Its motto is “Together we are stronger.” Team Sonadore (yellow) stands for dreamer. Its motto is “Dream it … become it.” Team Isazi (green) means scholar. Its motto is “Victory in knowledge.” Team Vanguard (purple) stands for leader. Its motto is “We rise by lifting others.”

Philip Wofford, a current fifth grader, purposely wears blue whenever he can because he is on Team Amizade. Wofford said he’s made new friends in other grades through the program he likely would have never gotten to known otherwise. “We have team meetings where we get to talk to members of our team. I get to talk to more people on my team and make more friends,” he said.

Wofford said he also really likes the feeling that being part of a team gives him and rooting for his teammates successes.

Emily Smith, who teaches fourth grade, said parents have had nothing but praise for the program because they appreciate how learning to interact and work with others is something many adults still have trouble with.

“This is preparing them for life, learning how to listen to others and work with them, to cheer others on encourage each other. It’s had such a positive effect here. I can’t wait to see its effect at the middle school when we have three years of students that have been through it there,” Smith said.

The team with the most points for each nine weeks is rewarded with things like a celebratory party under black lights. While points reset to zero every nine weeks, a running total is also kept to determine the overall winner. Last year the winning team celebrated with a field trip to Strike Zone Bowling Lanes.

Northwest Mississippi Community College history instructor Robert Shaheen was presented the DeSoto Center Excellence in Teaching Award at the college’s opening faculty meeting on Aug. 15.

The DeSoto Center Excellence in Teaching Award was established last year to recognize one DeSoto Center faculty member each year. Both academic and career–technical faculty are eligible for the award.

The award was voted on by the entire DeSoto Center faculty, and the recipient receives a plaque and a cash award, which is part of a growing endowment through the Northwest Foundation, according to Jeremy Isome, dean of the DeSoto Center.

Shaheen began his association with Northwest more than 40 years ago as a student. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi and began teaching as an adjunct at DeSoto Center in 1994. He also taught at Independence and South Panola High Schools.

In 2003, Shaheen was hired as a full-time instructor at DeSoto Center. Since then, he has served on various committees, and currently serves as the chairman of the Appeals Committee, which oversees everything from parking ticket to grade appeals. In 2014, Shaheen was chosen to represent Northwest at the Lamplighters Conference, which recognizes excellence in teaching.

“Bobby Shaheen has continued to show his passion for teaching, and he continually states how he relishes the opportunity to be able to teach at Northwest. Each semester, students ask for this instructor by name. Students remark that his teaching style engages and captivates their desire to learn about a subject that is viewed as unimportant in today’s world,” Isome said.

For more information about the DeSoto Center, visit the college’s website at northwestms.edu, or call 662-342-1570.