Sept. 2024 | Vol. 4 Iss. 9
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NEW FOXBORO ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL FOCUSES ON ACADEMIC GROWTH AND INCLUSION By Becky Ginos | becky.g@davisjournal.com
Editor’s note – This article was originally published in the Aug. 23 edition of The City Journal
S
helly Truelson has wanted to be a teacher since the fourth grade. She has never wavered from the goal and now she is the new principal of Foxboro Elementary. “I came home from school one day,” she said. “There was a severely disabled student there and I said, ‘I’m going to be a teacher.’ I had no other plans.” Truelson grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but moved to Utah to go to Utah State University to become an elementary teacher. “I was the first one in my family to graduate from college,” she said. “After I got my degree I went to work for Davis School District as a first grade teacher. This is my 19th year in the district.” She also worked as a literacy coach and was assistant principal at Bountiful and Muir Elementaries before becoming an assistant principal at Foxboro two years ago. She was named principal as the new school year began. “This is the best community and culture I’ve ever worked in,” she said. “They’re determined, passionate about the students and dedicated to helping students learn and grow every day. They’ll do whatever it takes to meet the individual needs of the students.” Truelson said the moment she walked in the doors two
years ago she felt a sense of camaraderie and belonging. “The staff has always been like that. They’re close. When you walk into the break room they’re eating and laughing together.” There’s no shortage of laughter at the school, she said. “They make learning fun. They have a focus on inclusion, diversity and kindness as core values to develop a positive culture of school and community.” Pre COVID Foxboro was identified as one of the lower performing in reading and math, said Truelson. “We’ve focused on student individualized instruction and data analysis to implement the best instructional methods for all students. That’s what we’ve had the largest amount of growth in.” There has been up to 14% growth in RISE (Readiness Improvement Success Empowerment) scores, she said. “That’s a state mandated end of level summative assessment. We’ve also had a 7% increase with reading and math in Acadience assessment. We’re excited to continue that work.” Truelson said she attributes it overall to teachers workContinued page 9 Principal Shelly Truelson (right) and Assistant Principal Morgan Tate celebrate the first day of school Aug. 15. Tate is new to the school. Truelson was Assistant Principal for two years before becoming Principal. Courtesy photo
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