Teamwork and Family Drive Results at Gaywood Elementary School

At Gaywood Elementary School, the motto is simple but powerful: “3 Ps Strong All Day Long — Peaceful, Positive, Productive.” The words aren’t just painted on the building’s exterior — they shape the school’s culture. Students embrace them in their learning, staff live them in their collaboration, and families echo them in their support.

That shared commitment is paying off. This year, Gaywood celebrated notable gains on the MCAP:

• Math scores increased by 9%
• ELA scores grew by 7%

These results represent more than numbers. They reflect the collective effort of teachers, students, and families working together to build a thriving learning environment.

Staff often describe Gaywood as a family. Teachers collaborate across grade levels, share strategies, and support one another to ensure every child succeeds. As one teacher explained, “We believe in helping each other, and that makes all the difference.” Instructional Lead Teacher for Reading Jessica Jones sees the impact firsthand: “Their confidence grew, and that helped them reach success.”

Family and community engagement are also central to Gaywood’s approach. Community Schools Coordinator Caryn Moses — known affectionately as “Ms. School Spirit” — helps bridge the classroom and the home. “We pride ourselves on bringing in community partners that help amplify the lessons our teachers are instructing,” she said. “We bring in tutors, coaches, and host family nights focused on areas where students need support. We also teach parents strategies they can use at home.”

Those connections ensure learning continues well beyond the school day.

For Shannon Lutz, Primary Interventionist for Reading, success shows up in the small moments. “Reading is hard, but when I see a student smile because they’ve read a word correctly, it gives me joy.”

Math teacher Theresa Harrison takes a personal approach. Reflecting on her own struggles as a student, she shares openly with her classes: “I know first-hand how math can give you anxiety.” Today, she uses her story to help students view math not as a barrier, but as a gateway to growth and opportunity.

The success at Gaywood is proof of what happens when schools cultivate a positive culture, empower families, and believe deeply in their students’ potential. As test scores rise, so does the pride of a community that knows education is — at its best — a team effort.