by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Principals of more than 60 Duval County public schools had an additional set of ears and eyes Monday as part of the latest “Principal for a Day” program.
Business and nonprofit leaders along with members of the legal community were among the dozens of participants in the program, which has more than doubled in size since it began in 2008.
Each volunteer shadows a principal of a participating school and takes part in the daily routine, including observing classes and teachers, interacting with students, handling parent conferences and walking the halls.
“It’s definitely an enlightening experience,” said Hugh Wilkinson, an attorney with the Public Defender’s Office. “It’s eye-opening,” said Wilkinson. “You really can’t just do this for the check.”
Wilkinson spent the day at Fort Caroline Middle School with
principal Jennifer Bridwell, who
participated in the program for the first time Monday.
“It’s a good opportunity for people in the community to come and see what you do on a daily basis,” said Bridwell. “It’s important for them to see everything that goes into it, not just the positive but the challenges, too.”
Wilkinson said Bridwell “definitely has a vision” for changing the school’s perception. Bridwell compares the position to a small business CEO as she runs a school with more than 800 students.
Bridwell offered Wilkinson some insight with humor. “Never let them figure out there are more of them than there are of you,” she said.
In Northwest Jacksonville, County Judge James Ruth returned to the hallways of his youth to serve as guest principal of Sallye B. Mathis Elementary School, formerly called Forest Hill.
“It’s so much smaller (than I remembered),” said Ruth.
Principal Michelle Quarles guided Ruth around the school and he sat in on a few classes during the afternoon. Ruth spoke to the children and offered advice.
“Believe in yourself, work hard and set a goal,” Ruth said, with the chorus of children repeating in unison.
It was Ruth’s second time with the program and he intends to continue to participate.
Quarles said she appreciated volunteers like Ruth.
“It’s important” she said. “They definitely serve as role models for the children.”
Next door to Sallye B. Mathis, Bryan Hensley, Florida Department of Children and Families Circuit 4 operations manager, spent the day at Ribault High School with principal James Young.
“He’s like a general,” said Hensley of Young. “He deals with so many moving parts.”
Hensley said he saw parallels between being a principal and working with foster children in terms of working with individual children and data.
Inviting community members to see the daily challenges is an opportunity to help change perception, said Young.
Hensley noticed the indivi-dual attention to detail for
each student.
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