Page 13 - The Wayne Dispatch

Students don’t care about what you know until they know you care

By Carolyn Marnon How did you hear about at Wayne Memorial.
Wanting to recognize students this position and why did What qualities do you
who make positive contributions to think makes an effective
the school community, Wayne Memo- you want to apply for it?
rial High School’s new Principal, I heard about the position high school principal?
James Anderson, Ed.D., answered a through a friend and the timing was Principals make a lot of decisions
few questions about himself, his right for a change. I actually applied in a given day. I believe some of the
background in education and what for another position in the district to things that make the most effective
he is striving towards for the stu- start, but the district and I both liked principals are the ability to listen, to
dents and staff of WMHS. the possible fit for this position. I reflect, and to make tough decisions.
enjoy working with high school stu- Effective principals are also visible
Tell us a little dents, so I am excited to be a Zebra! and present, so they need to spend a
lot of time in the role both during the
about yourself. What have you school day and at after school events.
Where to start? I was born in Sag- determined to be your top
inaw, Michigan and moved to Long- What qualities do
mont, Colorado when I was 2. We 3 goals/strategies for your you think teachers
lived there for about 8 years before first year at WMHS?
returning to Saginaw where I fin- My top three goals all build on should have in a
ished school. I then attended West- the strong foundation Mr. Weber high school setting?
ern Michigan University where I got (built) over his time at WMHS. I I believe that teachers need to be
my bachelors degree in Elementary James Anderson, Ed. D. is the new prin- want to increase student engagement engaging and relationship focused. I
Education. I went on to get my Mas- cipal at Wayne Memorial High School. in classrooms. believe the old saying is true, "A stu-
ters from Michigan State University I want to reduce tardiness, ab- dent does not care about what you
and my Doctorate from the Univer- Photo Credit-Focal Point Studio of Photography sences, and truancy, which is a di- know until they know that you care."
sity of Michigan Dearborn. High School, and my youngest rect result of the first goal. A third It is one of the strongest parts of
I am married and have 3 chil- daughter is a sophomore at the same goal is to build systems to recognize Wayne Memorial and one of the rea-
dren. My son is a senior at Central school. those students who do the right sons I love working here so much.
Michigan University, my oldest Some of my hobbies include fish- things day in and day out; they need
daughter is a senior at Farmington ing and jeeps. to be the students who get the focus See Principal, page 14

The Wayne Dispatch · December 2019 · 13