08/21/2026
Let’s hear it for our first Bethany Staff Spotlight! Who better to get us started than our fearless leader, Dr. Bailey????
Dr. Bailey (Principal)
🐾What does leading the pack mean to you?
To me, Leading the Pack means understanding that we can all be leaders. Leadership isn't about having a title—it is about using your gifts, talents, and influence in positive ways to make our school and our students better.
This year at Bethany, our theme is Leading the Pack because I want us to recognize that every person has something valuable to contribute. When we work together, support one another, and use our strengths to move student learning forward, we truly lead as a pack. 💙🐾
🐾 Who is someone who taught you to be a positive leader? Tell us a little about their story.
I was incredibly lucky to have Dwayne Best as my chorus teacher at Morehead High School. He wasn't just a beloved teacher—he stood out to me as an outstanding teacher leader.
Mr. Best had an incredible ability to connect with every student through music, regardless of ability level. He held high expectations and challenged us to strive for excellence, but he also made sure we understood that no one was "better" than anyone else.
He brought our entire class together to create beautiful music. More importantly, he created a place where everyone felt like they belonged.
I can still remember him constantly saying, "Has anyone told you they loved you today? I love each of you. You are my students."
He positively reinforced that we were cared for and continually encouraged us to bring our very best selves.
I was certainly not the most skilled musician in the room, but Mr. Best had a way of making sure I—and every other student—felt that I belonged and had something important to contribute.
I hope I carry a little piece of Mr. Best's legacy with me. He inspired me to become a better teacher and, ultimately, a better leader. He taught me that great leaders bring people together around a common purpose, set high expectations, make people feel valued, and help others recognize their own potential. It is no surprise to me that the MHS auditorium was renamed to honor Mr. Best- as so many students were inspired by him to simply be better humans.
That is a big part of what Leading the Pack means to me at Bethany.
I hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about each of our staff members through these Leadership Spotlights. We all have a story, a strength, and something special to bring to our pack.
