There’s a certain vibe at Magnolia Elementary School, located in Lanham near Doctors Community Hospital, and serving neighboring Greenbelt residents. The hallways are bright and sunny, the students are cheerful in their canary yellow polos, the staff feel engaged and dedicated. The school feels vibrant and vital, and if you ask members of the school community, that vibe comes from the enthusiasm and encouragement of Magnolia Elementary Principal Dr. Phyllis L. Gillens who will be retiring at the end of this school year.
Gillens has spent the past 26 years building a culture and community at her school in which students are cherished, staff are valued and everyone strives to be extraordinary. On Friday, May 26 that community surprised her with a heartfelt ceremony honoring her service and accomplishments.
One need look no further than the room full of parents, teachers and students at her celebration – current and former – to understand how many lives she’s touched over the course of her career at Magnolia.
Gillens has spent her entire adult life as an educator. She began her career in South Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in science and special education at South Carolina State University. After moving to Maryland, she taught special education before becoming an assistant principal. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Bowie State and a doctorate in education from Howard University.
Twenty-six years ago, Gillens joined Magnolia Elementary as an assistant principal, but she was appointed principal less than a year later. Magnolia teacher Christian Mullins was once a student at the school and said Gillens has had a lasting impact on his life.
“Dr. Gillens took a chance on me,” he said, speaking of his time as a student. “She poured her heart into every single person in this room. She gave opportunities to every person in this room. This community is Dr. Gillens.”
And Gillens took a chance on Mullins again many years later, when she encouraged him to substitute teach at the school and, later, to apply for an open teaching position.
“I wouldn’t be here without her. I’m so honored and blessed to be in this room with a woman like you, Dr. Gillens. You’ve inspired me.”
Greenbelt resident Robert Allen first came to Magnolia in 1999 as a substitute teacher – just two years after Gillens joined the staff – and ended up staying with the school for 21 years, teaching mostly sixth-grade reading and language arts.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better principal. She made me become a better teacher through her encouragement, guidance and wisdom.”
School culture and community are very important to Gillens, who asked Allen to write a school song, Magnolia on Top, and, later, a school pledge, which is still recited by students and teachers daily.
In honor of her service, the Magnolia Elementary Parent Teacher Advisory Council gifted Gillens with a magnolia tree to serve as a daily reminder of her school community, and she was gifted flowers by students all day long. The school also dedicated its multipurpose room to her, and Mayor Emmett Jordan presented her with a certificate honoring her service.
For her part, Gillens was surprised and delighted, especially to see so many of her former students and teachers, and said she was honored and grateful to have served the community at Magnolia. “Thank you for making my experience an extraordinary one.”
With her retirement, Gillens hopes to spend more time with her parents but will still be active in the Magnolia community. She also will be doing some educational consulting, coaching principals and teachers.
“For me, education is a ministry,” Gillens said. “Buy-in can create change, but when you believe in what you’re doing, that can bring forth transformation.”