Beech Tree News Network

Long-time elementary teacher Jimmy Felty was named the new principal at Morgantown Elementary earlier this summer by the school’s Site-Based Decision-Making Council.  Felty will take over beginning with the 2018-19 school year.  Toby Turpin will return as the assistant principal. Felty will be replacing Chad Flener, who has taken a position at the Butler County Board of Education Central Office.  Below is a Q&A discussion with Mr. Felty as he prepares for his new position.  

1.) What are your goals for your first year?

My primary goal is to improve the lives of my MES family of students and staff.  To accomplish that, I would like to increase our presence online, effectively articulate our content to our stakeholders, and use common sense, best practice methods to improve learning.  I think we can improve upon how we set our students up for success and how we prepare our parents to do their part at home. I think everyone involved has worked hard in the past to accomplish these things, I just have some ideas that I believe will make the process more efficient.

2.) Tell me about your family:

I have twin daughters, Jessica and Jamie who will be 13 this fall.  We spend our summers together on the family farm visiting their grandparents and cousins.   My brother Jon, his family, and my parents are all very close. My parents have made so many sacrifices for us throughout my life, and still do, they have modeled for me the importance of putting my children’s needs before my own.  It is probably the most important lesson an individual with children can learn. 

3.) How does being a parent affect your thoughts on being an administrator/educator?

My girls have had to work hard to become successful learners.  They have spent long nights doing homework and summer days inside working towards mastering skills they needed to be successful.  Watching them go from needing accommodations to being placed in advanced classes this upcoming school year has helped me realize that my role as a parent is so important in the education of my children.  Nothing can replace a parent who checks homework and reinforces the importance of learning new skills. My experience as a father of such hard working little girls has definitely informed my approach as an administrator.  I feel like some of our educational initiatives have left parents feeling like they can no longer help their children, I know what that powerlessness feels like, and I feel like I know how to alleviate it. Just because we have found a better way to teach a skill, doesn’t mean that a parent can’t either learn it as well via our web presence or contribute in their own way.  At the end of the day, if we love them, we want a better life for them, and we’ll do what it takes to make that a reality. 

4.) Where did you go to school? 

I began my schooling at 4 years old in Kindergarten at 5th District Elementary School.  I was blessed with great teachers throughout my time there and when I moved to the high school (there was no middle school then) I was also given a very good education for the time.  I actually was part of the last graduating class from the old high school in 1991.

5.) How many years have you been a teacher & what have you taught? 

I have taught for 22 years.  Most of that has been spent in assessment grades at the elementary school level.  I have actually spent a little time in New York teaching middle and high school as well.  

6.) What are you most looking forward to or excited about starting the year at MES?

The most exciting thing about starting at MES is the opportunity that it presents.  We have so much potential in our faculty for future leadership, our students, and all of our staff.  Morgantown Elementary School has the ability in just a few years to turn around our city and our county.  Many of the complaints citizens have about our fair town can be rectified by self-motivated learners who know what success looks like and how to set goals to achieve it. We intend to produce those like never before. There is much to be excited about.    

7.) What do you want parents and grandparents to know about you? 

I want you to know that I love your kids.  I want what is best for them, and I feel like they deserve a chance to be successful.  I am going to expect them to work to become better every day, and you can expect your family at MES to work for that as well.  

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“The SBDM Council of Morgantown Elementary did a wonderful job establishing criteria that stakeholders wanted in the new principal,” said Butler County Schools’ Superintendent Scott Howard.  “Mr. Jimmy Felty is very student focused and is driven by instruction and curriculum. He is a visionary leader who can communicate that vision to everyone in a way that motivates and inspires them.  I thank all of the council for their hard work throughout the process.  I look forward to great success at Morgantown Elementary.”

"Jimmy has been a leader at North Butler since the doors opened in 2005. I knew from the time I met him that he had a future as a principal. He has all the traits of effective leadership because of his willingness to learn, collaborate, motivate, celebrate and hold himself accountable. I have enjoyed working with him and appreciate the dedication to students and fellow staff members throughout his career,” said North Butler Elementary Principal Josh Belcher.  “Jimmy Felty has always been the type of teacher that doesn't allow circumstances to be an excuse. Through his work, he has shown that he believes all kids, regardless of their background, home-life or weaknesses can learn at high levels. I have the upmost respect for him as an educator and believe that Morgantown Elementary will flourish under his guidance.  I am excited to work with him to ensure that both NBES and MES kids receive an education that will promote social, emotional and educational growth.  I am very happy for Jimmy and Morgantown Elementary."