Heard Elementary principal wraps up long career

Sandra Stanley battled her emotions as 29 years at Heard Elementary School wound to a close Thursday.

The school held its promotion ceremony on the last day of school, and Stanley, who is retiring as principal, handed a certificate to each member of the final class of fifth-graders under her watch.

“It’s been all I can do to keep the tears back,” she said.

After handing out the certificates, Stanley addressed students and their family members. To the parents, she made sure to remind them to get involved and support their children in sports, musical groups and all other activities.

She also urged students to keep working hard in middle school.

“This is not your graduation but one more step forward to your graduation day of 2023,” Stanley told them.

One of about 80 retirees across the Bibb County school district this year, Stanley has been principal at Heard Elementary for the last 18 years — after 11 years as an assistant principal. During that time, she said she’s come to think of the people at the school and in the south Bibb area as family.

“This is a great community out here,” she said. “It’s probably the best-kept secret in the district.”

Assistant Principal Carole Coté, who will take over as principal in the fall, said Stanley had a huge role in fostering the family environment at Heard. When Coté interviewed at the school to become a teacher in 1999, she said she knew Heard was the place she wanted to be.

“It’s that climate and culture that she created for us,” Coté said.

The soon-to-be school leader at Heard also said Stanley had an “uncanny ability” to recognize teachers’ full potential and get them in the right position.

“The reason I’m going to be a principal is because she saw that ability,” Coté said.

That has earned Stanley the respect of teachers throughout the building. In addition, Anissa Brown — head of the fifth-grade teaching staff — said that in her own 26 years at the school, she’s learned that Stanley always puts the students first.

“With her, you know it’s a friendly school,” Brown said.

Parents and students also expressed how much Stanley meant to them during her tenure.

Crystal Sampson, a mother of two, said she’s known Stanley about 10 years.

“She’s done a good job as principal,” Sampson said. “She’s given the children exactly what they needed as far as their education. She provides the additional help they need to be successful.”

Ciara Passmore, a graduating fifth-grader, had a big smile on her face when she talked about Stanley.

“She would always say hi to us when we walked in from carpool. ... I’m going to miss her,” Ciara said.

Ciara’s father, Robert Passmore, was also appreciative. He said Stanley was always kind.

“She’d recognize my face and always speak to me. She was a real good principal, and the kids are really going to miss her her.”

Stanley’s tenure spanned multiple generations.

When Marnita Eavenson started the third grade, Stanley was her assistant principal. Now, Eavenson is a mother to daughters of her own at the school and noted that it’s the family’s fourth generation to come through Heard.

“She makes the transition smooth from one child to the next. Any time I call, she knows exactly who I am,” Eavenson said. “She talks with you like you’re a parent because she’s a parent, too.”

Eavenson said Stanley was always fair and rewarded her students for the good work they did.

Now that her time at the school is ending, Stanley said she hasn’t made any big plans. She hopes to spend time with her grandchildren — 16-year-old Molli, 16-year-old Sam, 13-year-old Logan and 6-year-old Trevor — and catch up on some gardening.

Before she makes any commitments, other than going with Heard students on a trip to Washington, D.C., in December, Stanley said she would take some time to check out life after elementary school.

“I just want to see what it’s like not to be in charge,” she said.

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 2:01 PM.