Q: What are you excited about this school year?
A: I’m excited to meet new people. I’m meeting new students everyday, getting to know new students and their names everyday, and to me that's exciting.
Q: How do you like JGMS so far?
A: I love it, it’s great, everyone is so kind. I enjoy being here.
Q: Do you have any advice for students?
A: It's all about “Yet”. You might not understand things yet. That might be academics, and it takes time for you to understand things. And sometimes there’s an effort you’ve got to put in to understand things. And if you ask questions, it’ll help you to understand. When it comes to the state of the world right now, it’s hard, and you still may not understand. Ask me questions if you want to know why we do things the way we do. At least you’ll understand why we’re doing things the way we do.
Q: What are some things you think you want to improve at JGMS/major changes you want to make?
A: It’s important that all the changes we make are conversations we have with the teachers first, and the community as well, as it affects the community. So it’s important that I don’t share any of those things that haven't happened yet, since these are conversations we have to have as a school. However there are some things that have changed, like the student bulletin.
Q: What is your plan moving forward with lunch?
A: That is something we have to plan as we move closer to the winter. The tents are going to come in, and we’re probably not going to eat outside, but those are the things that if we plan right now, we might find we need to change later.
Q: What is your plan for big events like school dances and trips (Nature’s Classroom, D.C.)?
A: Following the safety guidelines, that is the number one priority for me. Nature’s classroom has been postponed, it has not been canceled. And I would love to have those trips (Nature’s classroom, D.C.) We just have to wait and see what the world is like in spring. In terms of dances, I love the concept of students gathering and having a good time. I am not anti-dance. And I’m not anti-fun activities. We just have to find activities that we know will keep students healthy and safe. I’m working with parents for an alternative activity instead of the dance. I mean I don’t like canceling the dance, and I didn’t want to cancel the dance.
Q: What is your plan for COVID safety that is different from before?
A: The plan for COVID safety is to follow the guidelines, consult the nurse and the board of health. Before I make decisions, I always consult the nurse and board of health. So decisions aren’t made by me alone, I’m the voice of the decision, and I always consult someone.
PERSONAL
Q: Do you have any kids?
A: I have three daughters Ella, who’s seven, Ava, who’s five, and Lily, who’s two.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: I have a dog, a golden retriever named Oscar , he’s 8.
Q: What major did you take in college?
A: I was a physics major and a psychology major in college.
Q: What hobbies do you have outside of school?
A: I like walking my dog, and taking care of my lawn and yard work in general.
Q:If you have any superpower what would it be?
A: I’d want to get inside the head of any dog. Any dog, not just my dog. I want to live that dog’s life and understand what that dog’s thinking. Imagine knowing what the dog is thinking, like what the dog really needs? Us humans, we think we know what our dogs need, we think we know them pretty well, but we may find out we’re doing it wrong. Anyway, that’s why a dog would be fun.
Q:What was your favorite subject while you were in school?
A: I like physics. I like science. Something about it made sense to me. You could see it in the world, every time I looked outside, I saw it.
Q: Do you have any role models?
A: Over my life I’ve had a lot of role models. Every stage of my life brought on a new role model. When I was a kid, there was a superhero. When I was a student, there was a teacher. When I was in college there was somebody in my life that I looked up to. So yes, and I don’t have one since it changes depending on where I am in my life and what I need.
Q: Why did you choose to become a principal?
A: I was a teacher for 15 years, and there were things in my school that I felt weren’t good for students. And I could only do right by students in my classroom. I wanted to do right by all students. So I became the assistant principal. As an assistant principal your influence can only go so far. So I became a principal.