An Open Letter to Dr. Jim Markham
Thank you for everything you have done for my family and the Mill Creek community.
As many times as we have spoken personally and professionally over the years, there is something I have never said to you: You are, without question, one of the finest men I have ever met.
As many times as I have told others how much I admire and respect you, I have been incredibly remiss in not telling you that directly. For that, I apologize because you deserve to hear it. You deserve to know the impact you have on not just your students, but also on others in the community.
My children have been under your care since 2006. Most of our contact during those first two years was media related, but that changed in October of 2008. Though I already had an entirely favorable opinion of you, your actions after Alex's accident forever sealed your place in my heart and mind.
I assume you had a chance to read the letter I sent to Superintendent Wilbanks about you in 2009. I meant every word. As I wrote at the time:
Despite the enormous day-to-day responsibilities associated with leading the largest high school in the state, Mr. Markham has taken the time to make sure Alex has been helped in every way possible.
To be very honest, Jim Markham is such a modest man that we will probably never know the full extent of his efforts on Alex’s behalf. I do know though that he personally made sure that Alex’s return to school went smoothly and that Alex’s needs continue to be met each day at Mill Creek.
Shortly after Alex was released from the hospital, he returned to school part time. The first day Alex was scheduled to return, there was some confusion about what time Alex would arrive. Concerned that we would not be able to get through the bus traffic to reach the handicap accessible spots in front of the school, Mr. Markham instructed the staff members on traffic duty that morning to be on the lookout for our vehicle so they could direct us to a safe unloading spot. Mr. Markham called our home that morning to verify our transportation plans and make sure that Alex’s arrival went smoothly. With the arrival of over 4,000 students to deal with, Jim Markham took the time to make sure that our son got to school without any difficulties.
Once Alex returned to school full time, Mr. Markham continued to make sure everything went smoothly. According to Alex, Mr. Markham has stopped and talked with him several times to ask how he was doing. It is difficult to adequately describe what a big impression that has made on Alex. In a school the size of Mill Creek, you would not expect the principal to give that kind of individual attention. Alex clearly enjoys knowing that his principal cares about his well-being.
Mr. Markham was also kind enough to send Alex a handwritten note congratulating him on his performance during his first home track meet as a wheelchair athlete. If you could have seen Alex’s facial expression as he read that note, you would know how genuinely happy it made him to read Mr. Markham’s message.
Thanks to your efforts and those of the coaches, teachers and staff of Mill Creek, Alex enjoyed academic and athletic success during his time at MCHS. At the 2010 honors night, he was recognized for some of those achievements. The award that meant the most though was the one none of us knew was coming. To this day, I regret not getting Coach Long's speech on video. It was a beautiful tribute to you. To be selected as the first recipient of the Jim Markham courage award was such a tremendous honor for Alex and one that means a great deal to him. And now, as you once again bravely face what lies ahead, the words on that statuette will take on even greater meaning: “The Jim Markham Courage Award given in recognition of your fortitude, determination and ability to confront the uncertain.”
I am sure Alex will find inspiration in that award for the rest of his life. For me, seeing you hand him that award was more momentous than seeing you hand him his high school diploma -- and that was a big deal considering we almost lost him his junior year.
It never occurred to me that you would not be the principal who hands Lisa her diploma when she graduates in 2014. In my mind, you and Mill Creek are inseparable. I know there are several people at the school right now who would do a wonderful job as principal, but they will have some very big shoes to fill when you retire.
Thank you for everything you have done for me, my family and the Mill Creek community. I wish you peace and healing and, most of all, I hope you take comfort in knowing how much you are loved and respected. God bless you and keep you.
Yours truly,
Kristi Reed
Editor's note: Dr. Markham has announced plans to retire Dec. 1, 2012.
Chuck Quarles
8:12 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
What a loving and wonderful letter to a truly remarkable man! I, too, hope and pray for Mr. Markham's courage and well-being during the road ahead....
Jimmy Orr
9:45 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Kristi, your letter was a great tribute to Dr. Markham. He is Mill Creek's absolute best and one of Gwinnett's County's and America's absolute best. There is no way to measure the indelible impact he has left on the students, teachers, and administraors who were under his watch care over the years. I think it is only fitting that the 2012 Mill Creek Football Hawks dedicate the upcoming season to Dr. Jim.
John Gluck
9:53 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Loved and admired, Dr. Markham thank you for serving. As Parents Daphne and I consider ourselves fortunate for Jonathan to have been at Mill Creek High School under your tenure.
Big Thank You and may Gods grace and peace give you the courage and strength you need to beat this thing one more time.
With a thankful heart.
John Gluck
Missy Janney
12:06 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
WOW! Kristi this is a beautiful letter for such an AMAZING man! He is one of a kind and loved by everyone. He has the BIGGEST army behind him that will be praying and cheering for him 24-7.
<3 Missy Janney
Sherri
12:18 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
We too have appreciated all that Dr. Markham is, and will continue to be, to the students of Mill Creek High School and the community. He is a fine man and we have felt so fortunate to have him as a role model for our children. He will be sorely missed as Principal but will hold a special place in our family's hearts forever.
Sherri Short
North Georgia Weather
12:39 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Anyone that has lasted that long in a school system is a saint, no question about it. As a school system employee, my hat is off to his dedication and service to the children of Gwinnett. You will be missed.
Mary K.
5:37 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Beautifully put, Kristi!! I have worked in Gwinnett County for my entire 19 year educational career, and have had the privilege of working for Dr. Markham for the past 6 as a media specialist. He is without a doubt the most supportive principal I have ever worked for...supportive of the media center and of me personally. Dr. Markham is one of a kind. Gwinnett County and Mill Creek High School will never be able to replace the love and dedication he has for students. We will miss him immensely.
M.K. Osborne
6:26 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Thanks for your tireless dedication to all the students of Gwinnett , we need more Principals like Dr Markham and less Administrators . Wishing you all the best ******.The Frank N.Osborne family .
Kristi Reed
6:32 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
There is something else I forgot to mention that really impressed me about Dr. Markham. I didn't know until last Valentine's Day that he makes sure every female student, teacher and staff member gets a flower on that day. How incredibly kind and sweet is that? (http://dacula.patch.com/announcements/thank-you-dr-markham) We have all been incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Markham at Mill Creek.
Carla Zwick
9:19 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Wonderful letter Kristi--I echo your sentiments. THANK YOU Dr. Markham for your years of service and leadership. As parents, we have a natural bias about the abilities of our children...it was Dr. Markham who told me his sophomore year that my son Steven was going to flourish in the years ahead, and that he did. With 4000+ students, it amazed me that Dr. Markham knew my son well enough to make that statement. With his omni-presence at MCHS, Dr. Markham was there to share lunches with Steven, to give words of encouragement to the Cross Country team as they headed off to State, to attend umteen orchestral productions, to write a letter of recommendation for college applications, and so much more. He instilled confidence and character in my son. As Kristi stated, we'll probably never know all that Dr. Markham did for Alex, or Steven, or countless other students, but I know the huge and positive impact he had on my child. Dr. Markham is a selfless, genuine, compassionate and brilliant man, who, btw, has a terrific sense of humor! My thoughts and prayers are with him.
Cynthia Montgomery
12:13 pm on Monday, August 27, 2012
May I also add my praises to the man who made a difference in my child's life, our Dr. Markham. After being in the Dacula cluster for her entire school life, my daughter made the decision to move, in her senior year, to Mill Creek. Her decision was made with full knowledge that everything would be new and unknown at the same time. She left behind her friends, boyfriends, beloved teachers, and her 12 years of accomplishments with the same students she began with in kindergarden. Enter Mr Markham. They quickly became friends and he recognized her talents and particular unique qualities. He has a way of meeting each student where they are in life & letting them know they are in charge of their futures. Mentor, leader, friend, & principal, Mr Markham is each of these things & more. As a mother, you hope that your child is being taught by a great leader, a person of substance, an honest person and a giving person, Dr Markham is all these things & more. I am sorry to hear he is once again battling cancer. He has so much to be proud of as he has made a difference in the lives of so many. When my daughter graduated from UGA with honors and leadership awards, she asked could we go back to MCHS so she could speak with Dr. Markham, I could tell she wanted to let him know he was indeed a part of her educational successes. Great people will continue for years to have influence on others for years because they have left their personal imprint on them. Thanks Dr. Markham!