- Robert Higgins: This was the first man to hire me as a teacher. Mr. Higgins was akin to Morgan Freeman's portrayal of a high school principal in Lean on Me. In my interview, he (Higgins, not Freeman) asked me what kind of car I drove. Since I owned a Ford, he hired me, since "they" tended to steal Chrysler products from the playground/parking lot.
- Robert Shelton: This was the man who taught me what a lesson really is. He quickly determined that I was unprepared for my classroom, but with quick coaching, he also figured out I was easily trainable. Shelton is the reason I often ask my class to respond in unison rather than call on an individual (both overtly and covertly). I also started thinking about high-order questioning under his tutelage.
- Gary Blevins: Blevins is the man who gave me responsibility and authority. I was his lead teacher, in charge of the building any time he was out. He confided many things to me and spoke to me as an equal and a friend. Under Blevins, I made schoolwide decisions concerning parents, students, and other teachers.
- John Williams: Williams was the principal who hired me at Cecil Floyd. He told me, one time, that if he were to ever return to the classroom, he would choose to be a teacher like me. He was also the first principal to write a suggestion for improvement on my evaluation.
- Dr. Price: Price was our principal for about a week before being asked to leave (Don't ask.). He wrote nice notes to me about my hallway bulletin board. While many were afraid of Price, he never had a negative word to say to me - at least not to my face.
- Janice Southwick: Southwick was the first female principal for whom I ever worked. She was experienced as a leader and commanded respect among parents.
- Steve Jones: Jones taught me what it was like to slow down and to be calm. Nothing seemed to rattle him in his potentially stressful role as a leader. I have had a hand in teaching a couple of his grandsons, as well. We still see Jones, from time to time, as a substitute in our classrooms at Cecil Floyd.
- Evan Mense: A couple of years before Mense came to Cecil Floyd as our principal, he served as our assistant principal. In between, he was the principal at Kelsey Norman. Mense enjoyed having a good time. He was somewhat driven by data.
- Doug Adams: Mr. Adams returned to the role of principal after his retirement from one of our other elementary schools. Mr. Adams brought some degree of moral clarity to our staff and served to "right the ship" of our building following some rough seas.
- Elaina Edman: Replacing Mense was Edman, promoted from assistant principal after being an art teacher for several years. Edman was energetic and her mind seemed to be constantly in high gear. She still works in our district as a teacher of gifted students.
11. Gayle Hennessey: As our current principal, Hennessey is looking forward to her upcoming retirement. She gave me the gift of empowerment before that was a buzz word. In the few years Hennessey has been with us, she has helped our school to unify and has encouraged me to become a leader once again. 12. Chris Bozarth: Bozarth will arrive in our school for the 2016/7 school year. He has experience as a high school and middle school principal. He works with a degree in Health and Physical Education. Bozarth is a strong, churchgoing family man and is said to be "servant-minded". We predict that he will be a shepherd - not a wrangler - for the Cecil Floyd staff. There you have them: 12 principals in 26 years - and that doesn't count the numerous assistant principals and summer school principals. |