19 Jul 2015 Finding his groove

by Sonja J. Keith

Assistant Principal Gary Logan makes sure students and faculty get the school day off on the right foot with music, dancing and plenty of smiles at Woodrow Cummins Elementary in Conway.

Logan arrives at school around 7:20 each morning. Students in the cafeteria are treated to music until the first bell rings. He and Principal Dayna Coleman are on hand in front of the school as car riders are delivered, playing music and offering a friendly greeting. He sees the positive and the potential in his work and likes to have some fun along the way. He thinks schools can provide a learning environment as well as fun.

“We try to be smooth on Wednesdays and Friday is always a party day,” he said. “We want kids to get out of the car and smile, knowing this is going to be a fun day.”

Among his high school activities, he was a graduate of the Faulkner County Youth Leadership Institute. Logan realized his calling to be an educator in high school. “I knew the first time I worked at the Boys and Girls Club at Mayflower, I wanted to be a positive role model.”

Logan said his second grade teacher at Mayflower, Nancy Papcek, inspires him. He describes her as a phenomenal teacher that he still keeps in touch with today. “She was the best thing. You just knew Ms. Papcek loved you.”

A graduate of Mayflower High School and Arkansas Tech University, Logan holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as a specialist degree from Arkansas State University. The latter degree includes a superintendent’s license. “I’m not ready to be in a role that doesn’t involve kids.”

After college, Logan was hired as the parent center coordinator for the Mayflower School District. “I knew I wanted to be in the classroom.” He taught third grade for four years and then served one year as the assistant principal at Mayflower High School. He discovered a big contrast between elementary – where he felt the kids loved him – to high school – where he encountered negativity. “I wanted back in elementary and I jumped on it,” he said of the position at Woodrow Cummins. “It’s been lots of fun.”

Logan is in his element at the Conway elementary school. “I get to be with my babies and I have a supervisor who lets me be me,” he said. “That’s why we work so well together.”

When the Conway school held its PARCC exams, Logan and other faculty members put together a fun video that showed them singing and dancing to “Lean on Me.” The lyrics were changed to help students feel less stressed about the testing. The video (titled “WCE Test Prep Video” on YouTube) was shown at a character assembly at the school. “The kids loved it.”

At Woodrow Cummins, teachers can submit a Positive Office Referral, printed on bright yellow paper. Logan uses the referrals as an opportunity to brag on students, offering positive reinforcement for positive behavior choices. A copy of the form is also sent home to parents. “The kids just love it,” he said. “They eat it up.”

For young people, Logan encourages them to stay safe and have fun. “I want them to want to read and be smart.”

Logan said there is a balance that has to be maintained between learning and fun but it is possible to teach and have fun. He said during his walkabouts at the school, if he sees a class taking a brain break he may also join in. “The expectations are so high for the kids. They need a break.”

In addition to his work for the Conway School District, Logan serves as the youth pastor at Palarm Chapel in Mayflower.

Logan credits his mother, Phyllis Stubbs, for his success. Logan’s dad died when he was 3 months old. His mother worked hard to provide and take care of the family. “I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”

Describing himself as “dysfunctionally energetic,” Logan focuses on staying in his lane, not trying to overstep his role or responsibilities at school. “We are in sync,” he said of his principal. “Teachers call us Mom and Daddy. It’s a family environment.”

Logan said his work and enthusiasm reflect who he is. “I just get up every day and do life,” he said. “I do not have a job – I live life.”