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By Gracie Hauser
For the Enterprise

A familiar elf made an appearance at Davie County Early College on Dec. 3.
It was Samuel Brown, the principal.
He got the costume idea from a group of freshmen who approached him requesting an Elf on the Shelf for the school.
After a meeting with the teachers, it was decided that not only would the school purchase an Elf on the Shelf toy, but that Brown would dress up as one.
He recounts his time as an elementary school assistant principal. “At Cooleemee Elementary and William R. Davie, I loved dressing up … for special occasions or holidays. My elementary students always got a kick out of my silly costumes.”
Brown’s inventory of work costumes includes an inflatable t-rex and a soccer ball.
His mother, who was a teacher assistant at his elementary school, is one of his inspirations. She enjoyed dressing up for her students. “I think I get my silly sense of humor from her,” he said.
How did the high schoolers react?
“I think I shocked a lot of our early college students because I definitely got the ‘what in the world is happening’ look from some… Definitely got some smiling faces and good-hearted laughter, which makes it all worth it. Overall I think students enjoyed it and I even had a few that wanted their picture taken with me.”
After 16 years of working in education, Brown shares that “the connections I make with students is my favorite part of my job.” He still keeps in touch with many former students from his years teaching at Stokes Early College.
“No, dressing up as a dinosaur or elf won’t increase test scores or graduation rates, but I hope it helps create a welcoming school environment where students and staff want to be each day. Everyone deserves a school where they feel seen, cared for, and enjoy being a part of.”
The elf shenanigans are not over. Brown promises that “our school Elf on the Shelf will be making appearances in classrooms from now until Christmas break. As for my Elf on the Shelf alter ego, I have a feeling it may show up again before we all go home for the holidays.”