In recent years, GCHS has added a number of ways to ease students’ transition to high school. Administrators realize the freshman year is a crucial factor in whether a student graduates, especially with the rest of his or her class. Therefore, additions include an extensive freshman orientation for students and their parents, a pool party for students to kick off the new year, and a Freshman Mentoring Program. Upperclassmen apply to be part of it. Those selected to participate go on to regularly mentor freshmen, helping them navigate their way through a larger school and more rigorous curriculum.
Of his new position, Mallory said, “It really came down to numbers in terms of how many kids can I help. Now instead of teaching 100 students, I can help influence more than 300 freshmen and through working with teachers, even more students altogether!”
Both Mark Mallory and his wife, Heidi, grew up in Christopher, Ill. He studied computer science at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Still, he said, “I always liked education and had friends at Murray State [University]. Eventually, he followed them to MSU and in completing a bachelor’s degree in education. He went on to earn two master’s degrees in education and administration and now his first administrative position.
Mallory said he feels “blessed,” not only for his experience teaching and broadening his horizons as an administrator, but also for his family life in his adopted home of western Kentucky. His wife is a teacher at Murray Middle School and they are parents of a 3-year-old son named Henry.
