Meet Frannie Rogers, Principal of MMS
Meet Frannie Rogers, Principal of Messalonskee Middle School!
What was your greatest memory from last school year?
There are so many proud moments to choose from, but one that stands out was the end of the year 8th grade celebrations. Seeing the pride on the teachers’ faces and hearing them speak about each of the students individually was so moving and powerful. Similarly, hearing the students share their thoughts and feelings about the teachers that they had spent two years with reminded me about the power of relationships between students and teachers. It made me proud to work with staff and students who care about each other so deeply, and watching them celebrate their accomplishments together was something that will stay with me forever.
What are you most looking forward to about this upcoming school year?
I am so proud to be the Principal of Messalonskee Middle School, and I’m excited to meet and get to know all of our new students and show them why MMS is such a special place to be! We have some fantastic new teachers joining us this year, and I believe it is going to be an incredible year all together, continuing some special traditions and creating new ones.
What’s your favorite thing to do over the summer?
I have three teenage sons, and my favorite thing to do anytime of the year is to spend time with them and the people that I love! I love being outside, gardening, hiking, and spending time near or in the water – especially on the hot summer days that we had this summer. I squeezed in one short but wonderful camping trip, welcomed a former exchange student who came for a visit, watched one son get his driver’s permit while helping another son prepare for his freshman year of college. This summer I was fortunate to be able to attend a conference with other administrators from RSU 18, and I’ve brought back some great new ideas. I am energized and ready for the school year! It’s been a busy but wonderful summer, and I can’t help but get excited for the new school year when I see all of the hard work of the custodians in making MMS look amazing and ready for students and staff!
What is one thing you’d like to share with the students of your school building?
I want our students to know that we are here for them, that we believe in them, and that they are important. They are why we come to school everyday! We have developed The Eagle Way to help guide students as they progress through Messalonskee Middle School, and to help to build a foundation for all future successes in life. The Eagle Way consists of six different values that we hold dear and want every student to focus on and experience: respect, responsibility, honesty and integrity, kindness, and perseverance. Students will be hearing, seeing, and discussing these words a lot this year!
What is your favorite book to share with students and why?
As a reader, it’s nearly impossible for me to choose just one book that I’d love to share! One powerful and important book that I’ve read with my own children and students is “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park. It’s based on a true story about survival, and how in South Sudan a person’s entire existence might revolve around their ability to get clean water to survive, something that we take for granted along with so many other things. This story speaks to me because the main character fights against unthinkable challenges and struggles, and then uses his experiences and devotes his life to do something impactful and powerful for the people around him. It’s a reminder that we are the sum of our experiences – they shape us and we have the ability to do something positive with them, even the hardships.
