by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Numerous Northeast Florida business and community leaders will be stepping outside of the conference room and into the classrooms of Northeast Florida schools Jan. 14 not to become speakers – but to become principals.
Duval County Public Schools’ “Principal for a Day” program will offer the leaders a first-hand look inside the schools and give them a different perspective on education, said Karen Hanson, DCPS Department of Community and Family Engagement supervisor.
“We want local leaders to come on in for a day,” said Hanson. “We’re hoping to raise awareness of what’s happening in education.”
Forty-one area schools are participating – 19 elementary schools, 16 middle schools and six high schools – in all areas of the city.
Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals sent more than 200 letters to area business and community leaders seeking their involvement. It’s a project he believes will benefit both the schools and leaders.
“Education must be a joint venture among students, teachers, staff, parents and community members,” said Pratt-Dannals. “The Principal for a Day program will allow business leaders to experience first-hand the successes and challenges of our school system.”
Though a few schools still need to be matched with a volunteer principal, many community leaders have responded to the call and are looking forward to the experience.
“I’ve been a supporter of the (Duval County Public) School system for a long time,” said Teala Milton, chief public affairs officer for the Jacksonville Electric Authority. “This is always something I wanted to do in the back of my mind, and now I have the chance.”
Milton will be principal of Andrew Jackson High School, her top choice of the participating schools.
“It’s my alma mater,” said the 1965 graduate, who has returned to the school in recent years for JEA-related functions. “The school’s gone through some changes, but a lot has stayed the same. I think it’s going to be fascinating.”
For another Northeast Florida business leader, taking part in the Principal for a Day event will be another opportunity to become involved with the community.
“I felt it was a great opportunity and the right thing to do,” said Jack Diamond of Rink Design. “It’s extremely important for the business community to get involved.”
Diamond will be principal of Ribault Middle School and has been involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida for 30 years. The mentoring aspect of the volunteer work and upcoming Principal for a Day event is something he feels strongly about – and when he received the letter from Pratt-Dannals, he immediately responded.
“I think it’s great,” Diamond said of the day. “It’s the appropriate thing for leaders to do.”
Frank Crocetti, vice president and general manager of Fidelity Investments, received an invitation from Pratt-Dannals but does business out of the Boston area.
The invitation didn’t go to waste, though, as Jennifer Chapman, Fidelity senior public affairs manager, said she will gladly fill in.
“This event sounded very interesting,” said Chapman. “People don’t get a chance to really see what is going on behind-the-scenes and it’s great to see people in the business community get involved.”
Chapman will be principal of Susie Tolbert Elementary School and wanted to gain experience and perspective as leader of a magnet school to take back with her as a member of the Duval County Magnet Advisory Council. The citizens’ council develops and strengthens interaction between magnet school programs and the community.
“I was really hoping to be placed in a magnet school,” said Chapman. “I think it will be a valuable experience.”
Like Diamond, Cleve Warren, president and CEO of Essential Capital, wanted to give back to the community and when approached about the Principal for a Day event said he’d love to help.
Warren is familiar with the school he’ll be head of, Spring Park Elementary School, through participation in programs such as “Real Men Can Read.” He had an enjoyable time then, he said, and is now looking forward to becoming principal for a day.
“It really piques my interest,” he said. “I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing, but I’m looking forward to mentoring.”
Pam Bradley-Pierce, Spring Park principal, was the one who reached out to Warren, he said, and he believes the experience will be one he doesn’t expect.
“I don’t know what it’s going to be like in a school all day,” said Warren. “For everyone involved, there’s a whole lot more going on out there(inside a school) than we really know. I think it will be fun, though.”
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