Ms. Crystal Purser visited Belwood Elementary Thursday, February 1st, to speak with the 5th Grade Leadership Team about leadership and entrepreneurship.
Ms. Purser is a Calhoun native who currently serves the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She and her husband, fellow Chick-fil-A owner-operator Mr. Jonathan Purser, have provided their time, expertise, and support extensively with Gordon County Schools over the years. In 2019, Crystal was named the Gordon County Schools 2nd Mile Award Winner recognizing her for superior community volunteer support with Core Essentials character education.
Belwood 5th grade leaders listened and shared their thoughts as Ms. Purser spoke about several key components of leadership, especially trust and encouragement. She asked these student leaders to be self-reflective and be a voice for doing the right things.
Belwood Elementary School counselor Ms. Darlene Bateman leads the 5th grade leadership program. She, along with Principal Ms. Monica Holt and Assistant Principal Mr. Matt Fox, support these young leaders to prepare them for middle school and beyond. Students were selected by the school based on several leadership qualities, and the students in turn are looked at to help make positive impacts in the school building.
Students participated in the presentation, shared their ideas and experiences, and had a great time hearing from Ms. Purser about her life experiences and reflections on how to be a leader. Students were treated with Chick-fil-A lunches after the presentation.
Belwood Elementary is a school rich with history and a strong commitment to excellence in teaching the whole child. A student’s character, behavior, creativity, and social-emotional development are all equally as important as academic development, and Gordon County Schools appreciates Crystal Purser for helping build character as leaders in and out of our schools.
Thank you to all our community volunteers and families connected to our schools. You, like Ms. Purser, make a tremendous difference in the lives of students.