A Farewell From David Sembly

David Sembly served as Fort Smallwood Elementary School’s principal for the last three and a half years before being transferred to Walter S. Mills-Parole Elementary School in Annapolis this January. A former Board of Education member and principal at Davidsonville Elementary, Patricia Nalley is the acting principal at Fort Smallwood.

After leaving, Sembly shared this message with the community:

As I reflect on my time at Fort Smallwood Elementary School, one thing stands out the most: the people. I met and worked with so many wonderful people (community partners, family members, volunteers, faculty and staff) who all sincerely wanted the best for the children of Fort Smallwood Elementary. There were innumerable people who were willing to lend a helping hand and offer support through their time, energy and resources.

It was great to see our staff come together for so many student initiatives. We built great relationships that allowed us to have honest, and sometimes difficult, conversations with one another. But we always fell back to our constant commonality: let’s do what’s best for children. I was blessed to establish relationships both personal and professional that will last a lifetime.

We were able to create specific spaces and resources within the building to meet the needs of all students; we were able to raise money for student reading materials, audio/visual equipment, and additional student computers; and we were even able to erect a new playground for our youngest students, which is being finalized as I type this reflection. But most of all, we were able to foster and nurture a love for learning in our building that I believe children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

The good days far outweighed the bad, and I am grateful for the lessons my time there bestowed upon me. I know that if I’ve had half the positive impact on the people of the Fort Smallwood community that the students, staff and community have left upon me, my efforts there were not in vain. Thank you, Fort Smallwood. Together, we made a difference!