Mentoring program helps new principals with job transition

PERRY — New elementary school principals in Houston County are getting a helping hand from those who have been in their shoes before.

Through a mentoring program, four new principals have been paired up with four elementary school principals already in the system, matched based on the student demographics of their schools.

The group of eight met Sept. 1, and will meet several more times during the school year to discuss standards from the National Association of Elementary School Principals and school operational duties, and provide time for questions and feedback, said Andrea McGee, principal of Eagle Springs Elementary and one of the program’s mentors.

The new principals and their mentors also will keep in touch with each other throughout the year.

Other principals serving as mentors are Kim Halstead of Tucker Elementary, Jolie Hardin of Matt Arthur Elementary and Pat Witt of Morningside Elementary.

“Our goal is to help new principals transition into their positions and to provide professional development in effective leadership practices that will have a positive impact on student achievement,” McGee wrote in an e-mail.

While some sort of mentoring has been available to new principals in the past, the participants are working to establish a more consistent program, according to McGee.

Eventually, they hope to expand mentoring opportunities to new middle and high school principals as well.

“Nobody understands the position unless they’re in that position,” said Hardin. “Until you walk in their shoes, you don’t know.”

Some of the principals already have worked at the schools they now lead but in different roles, such as Lindsey Elementary’s Angelique Archie and Centerville Elementary’s Tonya Maddox, both previously serving as assistant principals for instruction.

Other principals are brand new to the schools they are now leading. Willis Jones, principal of Bonaire Elementary, was the former assistant principal of Kings Chapel Elementary and Perry Primary. Deborah Moore-Sanders, who takes the helm at Pearl Stephens Elementary, previously served as the system’s coordinator of student services and lead psychologist.

The mentoring program becomes more relevant as principals face increasing academic, operational and financial demands on the job and the average age of principals drops as older principals retire, according to Halstead.

“The county is really good about providing support,” she said. “I wanted to give back to those who have given to me.”

During the principals’ first meeting, they discussed issues such as building school culture among staff members, seeking feedback from other teachers and school systems, and the demands of meeting Adequate Yearly Progress as expectations continue to rise.

Among Jones’ priorities during his first year at Bonaire Elementary are maintaining high achievement among students, as well as improving English and language arts scores among its students with disabilities and making sure teachers get the most out of professional learning.

“There’s a lot to learn. It’s a little overwhelming,” Jones said. “With the mentoring program, we can make sure to call and check on each other. All of us can bounce ideas off of each other. It’s a good idea.”

To contact writer Andrea Castillo, call 256-9751.