Patriot Profiles - Jimmie and Wanda Slagle

Things that just go together – hand and glove; peanut butter and jelly; Jimmie and Wanda!

Jimmie and Wanda Slagle have been part of Newark Charter School since 2003 when Jimmie was hired by the first school director, Greg Meece, to be Director of Facilities of the trailers on Barksdale Road. Wanda joined the staff in 2007 as a kindergarten assistant in the Primary School that opened the same year.

Carpooling from their home in Elkton, Jimmie and Wanda are often seen together, however their impact is individually significant. Wanda shared that one of her favorite memories from Newark Charter School is making a carrot cake with a kindergarten student. “Every week, a boy in my class would check out a cookbook from the library. I like to bake also so we would talk about what he would like to make. He said he really wanted to make a carrot cake. One day, we shredded, sifted, cracked and measured our ingredients. We made the most delicious carrot cake ever and shared with our friends in the classroom.”

Jimmie fondly recalls his favorite memory. “When we moved from the trailers on Barksdale Road into the new Intermediate School on Patriot Way, we had so many staff members, parents and students helping.” Twenty years and three buildings later, that same community spirit will reignite as we move grades 6-8 into the new Junior High School this summer under Jimmie’s direction.

Newark Charter School has a number of outdoor classrooms on both campuses thanks to Jimmie’s vision. “I feel by creating outdoor classrooms, trails with activities and gardens, it draws us closer to nature and memories are made…learning in a different way.”

Wanda’s advice to future Patriots is, “Be positive, be responsible and be friendly…a smile or “Hello” can go a long way.” Jimmie and Wanda lead by example – they exhibit these same attributes to students, staff, families and the community.  We should all be more like Jimmie and Wanda!