Dear Parents and Community Members,

I am honored to introduce myself to you as the principal of McRae Elementary School.  Over the past 5 years, I have truly enjoyed meeting with so many of the wonderful families in our community and feel very blessed to have the opportunity to work with your children and the talented and dedicated faculty and staff that serve them daily.  

Prior to coming to McRae, I served as a classroom teacher for over 20 years, grade chair, and student council sponsor.  I also served as assistant principal at Middleburg Elementary and Keystone Heights Elementary.  

Our school motto is: Together We Can.  Teachers meet weekly to plan lessons so that students are challenged with rigorous learning activities.   They also identify students who need more support.  Students discuss their learning with partners and in small groups.  They share their strategies for solving problems and support each other in reaching goals.  Together, we celebrate learning gains.  

In addition to the core subject areas of reading, math, science, and social studies, students have the opportunity to participate in art, music, technology, and physical education.   We also have a wonderful Media Center where students can select and check out books to enjoy during free time.   Parents are welcome to visit this resource as well.  Make an appointment with Mrs. Walker, and she will be glad to help you pick perfect books to enjoy at home with your children.  

Our commitment to you is to keep our focus on teaching and learning in a safe, supportive learning environment.  You can help us by making sure students arrive to school on time each day and complete the entire school day.   Our students are engaged in learning activities from bell to bell.  We use every minute.  Students begin walking to class at 8:20 and are dismissed at 2:57.  Breakfast is served from 8:00 until 8:30.    Please use our Back Drop off, if your child would like to eat breakfast at school.  

Parent involvement increases student achievement.  Please work with us.  Be sure to communicate often with your child’s teacher.  She/He is the first contact for any concerns you may have.  Consider volunteering in our classrooms, the media center, or our front office.  We have a parent organization, McRae Moms and Dads, that meets monthly to plan events and to share ideas.  

I am honored to be a part of McRae Elementary and the Clay County School District.  Please contact me if I can help you in any way.  Together, we can prepare students to be leaders in the 21st century.  

Sincerely,

Tammy Winkler

Dear Parents and Community Members, 

Welcome to McRae Elementary School!  I am extremely honored to be the Assistant Principal at MRE and to work along such a dynamic staff, students and families.   McRae strives daily to provide the best educational opportunities for each of our students to be successful academically and socially.  It is our goal to meet the individual needs of all of our students while setting high standards and expectations for everyone.  At McRae we believe that “Together We Can.”

I am a proud product of Clay County District Schools, graduating from Middleburg High. I started my career in Clay County as a classroom assistant for 5 years, served as a teacher for 16 years and served as an assistant principal for 4 years.  

I am so honored to be a part of this school and district. Thank you to all our staff, parents and community members who make each day meaningful for the students we serve. Together, we are preparing our students to be leaders in the 21st century.  I look forward  to working with you all this school year. 

Sincerely,

Tracy Burt