At the 2012 Micah Kickoff, Beth Ann Lucas, the Micah Key Coordinator of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, recalled her first impression of Cary Elementary School: “I knew that John B. Cary was a special school even before I entered the building. Mrs. Phillips, the principal, was stationed outside welcoming children and parents. She knew everyone’s name and remembered if they had scraped a knee or lost a tooth the day before. She noticed new shoes and haircuts and asked about the new baby at home. I was hooked from that first day.”
Principal Phillips
Beth Ann’s community, along with the other Micah partners, works together to build a great partnership with Cary based on mutual respect and support. “Mrs. Phillips has been instrumental in building that partnership. She is truly an exceptional leader and a role model for all of us,” says Beth Ann.
We are thankful that not only is Beth Ann grateful for a wonderful leader in Mrs. Phillips, but that Mrs. Phillips is thankful for the Micah partnerships at Cary. She has a commitment to hospitality towards the volunteers at Cary Elementary; she and her staff work hard to make volunteers feel not only welcome, but a part of the school. In Beth Ann’s words, “She makes everyone feel valued and always has time to listen to students, parents, teachers and even volunteers. We all feel that is a privilege to work with Mrs. Phillips and to be a part of the Cary family.”
When asked about the reason for that commitment to hospitality, Mrs. Phillips answered, “It has to do with home and family.” The volunteers at John B. Cary are respected for the contributions they make because at Cary, “There are no big guys and little guys. Everyone that walks in this door is a role model.” And we are delighted to have such a supportive principal at Cary Elementary, a principal who is happy to say, “Micah is great!”